- Kei Mouth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
The Mangroves Walk meanders along the western bank of the Great Kei Rivers for just over 1km. This bank is the site of the southernmost naturally occurring mangrove plantation in Africa.
DIRECTIONS
Take the ferry road and park at the riverside, before the launch site. Walk up-river, past the slipway to the sign at the start of the walk. The path is ahead of you. Follow it along the side of the river. At one point there is a short detour over rocks to avoid the edge of the water. You will pass two caves on your way, known as first cave and second cave. At one point (at the end of the rocky mudstone area) there is a bridge across a small stream. Take this and then make you way back to the path along the side of the river. Once you have reached “Third Cave”, you will return the way you came. It is not recommended to walk past third cave.
Note: Not suitable for walking at spring high tide. May be muddy under foot after rain.
What to look out for:
Green-stem Corkwood / Groenstamkanniedood (Commiphora harveyi) This remarkable tree is easily recognised by its smooth, pale golden-yellow papery bark. As it peels away in thin sheets, it reveals a brilliant, bright green under-bark. This green tissue contains chlorophyll, allowing the tree to photosynthesise and survive even when it drops its leaves during intense droughts. The vernacular name Kanniedood translates to “cannot die”. This refers to the tree’s incredible vitality. If you cut a branch or a pole from a corkwood and plant it directly into the ground, it will easily strike roots and grow into a new tree, a trait traditionally exploited by rural communities to grow “living fences”.
Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens) Bulbine is one of South Africa’s most useful indigenous plants. Its bright yellow flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while its succulent leaves store water during dry periods. For generations, local communities have used the clear gel inside the leaves to treat burns, cuts, insect bites, rashes, and minor skin irritations, much like aloe. This hardy plant thrives in harsh coastal conditions and plays an important role in stabilising soils and supporting biodiversity.
White Mangrove (Avicennia marina) The Great Kei River mouth is home to the southernmost naturally occurring mangrove forests in Africa. White mangroves are ecosystem engineers, helping to stabilise riverbanks with their extensive root systems while trapping sediments carried downstream. Their roots create sheltered nursery areas where juvenile fish, crabs, prawns, and other marine life can grow before moving into the ocean. Healthy mangrove forests support local fisheries, improve water quality, reduce erosion, and provide valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunes Listen carefully and you may hear the cheerful calls of the Sombre Greenbul, one of the most common birds of the coastal forests. The greenbul is an important seed disperser, helping forests regenerate by spreading the seeds of many indigenous plants. Despite its name, there is nothing sombre about its varied whistles and calls. It is a drab, olive-green bird with striking pale, yellowish-white eyes. It is known for its loud, penetrating song, which sounds like a challenge: “Willie!… come out and play (or Have a fight) Are you sca-a-a-red!” The nearby township of Cwili takes its name from the isiXhosa word for this bird Inkwili.
The Mudstone Cliffs of the Great Kei The striking cliffs along the Great Kei River tell a story more than 250 million years old. They are formed from the ancient sedimentary layers of the Beaufort Group (part of the massive Karoo Supergroup). These mudstones were formed (during the Permian and Triassic eras) when fine sediments settled in ancient rivers, floodplains, and wetlands that existed long before the dinosaurs appeared. The distinct reddish-brown, maroon, and olive-green bands visible in the cliff faces are overbank mudstones. They were formed by fine silt and clay settling quietly after massive prehistoric river floods. Today the river continues to carve into these ancient rocks, revealing another page in the geological history of the Wild Coast.
