- Kei Mouth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Activities to do & places to go
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Kei Mouth's Beaches
Kei Mouth has several small sandy beaches dotted along the shoreline. The best beach for swimming is the middle of Thompson’s Bay. Swimming in the mouth of the Great Kei River is not recommended, due to the strong river currents.
Morgan Bay Beach
The flat, 1.6km long sandy beach is great for ball games like cricket, rugby and tennis. A touch rugby and cricket tournament is held once a year between Christmas and New Year. The dunes are good for sandboarding and our beach is also ideal for jogging and walking. Other activities include swimming, fishing, kite flying, body boarding, sandcastle building and horse riding. Sandboards and bodyboards can be hired from Morgan Bay Hotel Reception.
Double Mouth Nature Reserve
This pristine coastal nature reserve boasts one of SA’s most picturesque campsites and lies only 4km away from Morgan Bay over the cliffs. Here two rivers meet in a pristine estuary, which carves a single course through forested dunes to the sea. Bead Beach (Treasure Beach) is the site of a 17th Century Portuguese shipwreck, where Carnelian Beads, Money Cowries and shards of broken Ming Porcelain can be found. Motorbikes, Quads and dogs are not permitted.
Entry is R44 per adult and R28 per child (2 – 11 years).
Contact: 043 492 0881/0800 (East London Head Office)
The Kei Mouth Ferry/Pont
The Pont operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year. they only close when the river is in flood or the tide is too low. The Pont can carry two vehicles at a time and operates from 7:00 to 18:00. There is often long queues during the height of the Dec/Jan holidays, so factor this into your journey. Daily updates can be found on our Facebook page, Kei Mouth Ferry.
Cattle on the Beaches
One of the characteristic features of the Wild Coast, is cattle on the beaches. Even though there is no grass or drinking water, they still love coming down to the beach to sleep, relax and chew the cud. There are a couple of theories as to why they do this; Some say it’s to rid themselves of ticks, while others claim they are after salt. Perhaps it’s simpler than that… maybe they just enjoy it as much as we do. They are often found on both banks of the Great Kei River, between the ferry and the sea as well as on the beach at Qolora.
Horse Riding Adventures
Daily horse riding throughout the holidays, except 25 Dec and 1 Jan. Please Book at least 1 day in advance.
9:30am and 3pm: 1.5hour beginner’s beach ride (Walk only. Suitable for children)
11:30am: Pony rides at the horse yard – no bookings required.
2:30pm: 2.5hour Advanced cliff top beach ride (with trot and canter)
Contact: WhatsApp – 082 567 0972 / Book online – www.wildcoasthorses.com
Siya's Mountain Bike Trails
Let experienced local mountain bike rider, Siyabulela Jack, take you on a guided tour of the area and experience the beauty and culture of the Eastern Cape like never before. Routes include: Double Mouth Nature Reserve, Umthombe Kei, Seagulls and Trennerys, Gxara Falls and numerous Xhosa villages, or speak to Siya and choose your own adventure! All skill levels catered for.
Contact: Siya – 063 943 1482
Fishing
The Southern Wild Coast offers a great variety of desirable species in some spectacular fishing locations. If you need advice about where to fish, and what with, then contact a guide, like Great Kei Adventures and Wild Coast Fishing Charters, or ask our friendly locals. Deep Sea enthusiasts can launch from the Great Kei River, while fishing and bait collection licenses can be purchased at most Post Offices and at St Anthony’s Store on the R349 at the Haga Haga turnoff.
Great Kei Adventures
– Abseiling on the Morgan Bay Cliffs
– Kayak tours at Double Mouth
– Kayak rentals at Kei Mouth River and Morgan Bay Lagoon
Booking essential with 2 days notice
Contact: 072 149 8612 / www.greatkeiadventures.com
For guided fishing tours please contact Dylan on 082 825 0624
Wild Coast Fishing Charters
Deep sea fishing charters and boat trips along the Wild Coast, Launching from the Great Kei River.
Contact: Clint – 082 771 9206
Kei Mouth Country Club
The course is positioned alongside the Cape Morgan Nature Reserve and consists of a 13 hole course with separate tee-boxes making it a comfortable 18 hole round of golf. There are also squash courts, a bar and restaurant. Wednesdays and Saturdays are golf club competitions. Visiting golfers are most welcome to participate,just phone your name in or be at the club early enough for us to slot you in to the draw.
Contact: 043 841 1083
Walks and Trails
There are many great walks to be had along our beaches, as well as several other trails for the more adventurous. These include: the walk up to the lookout platforms on Signal Hill and back again via Lover’s Lane; a walk along the coastline to the lighthouse and on to neighbouring Morgan Bay; walks along the beautiful sandy beaches North of the Kei.
Strandloper Trail
Kei Mouth is the start of the popular five day Strandloper Trail, which begins in the Cape Morgan Nature Reserve and passes through Morgan Bay, Haga Haga and the Jikeleza Route villages before finishing at Gonubie.
Elunxwemeni Township Tours
Have you ever been inside a Spaza Shop or a Shebeen (local Tavern)? Have you ever consulted a Traditional Healer or drunk Umqombothi (traditional beer)? Have you seen the amaXhosa in their traditional attire, listened to their music and eaten their food? Come and experience a day in the life of the locals and discover all of this and more!
Contact: Aubrey – 078 064 8487
Quicks' Hiking Trails and Adventure
Your friendly local guide, Quicks, offers six excellent half and full day hikes around the Kei Mouth, Morgan Bay and Haga Haga area. The hikes include township and cultural tours where you can learn about the Xhosa culture, nature and beach walks, canoeing and treasure hunting.
Contact: Quicks – 078 951 0425 / 071 901 1735, Rose – 065 527 2907
The Great Kei River
The Great Kei River flows for 320 km and once formed the South-Western border of the former-Transkei region, which can now be accessed via the ‘Pont’, one of only three car-transporting river ferries in South Africa. Activities on the river include fishing, boating, and canoeing. South Africa’s Southern-most naturally occurring mangrove population also occurs here.
Fish Eagle River Cruises
Relaxing cruises on the Great Kei. Watch the Fish Eagles feed and see cycads growing in the wild. Bird watchers paradise! Max 12 passangers. All trips are tide and weather dependant. Visit www.fisheaglecruise.co.za for more information and to book online.
Contact: 083 445 2202 / 064 515 6387
Morgan Bay Estuary / Lagoon
The shallow waters at the mouth of the Inchara River estuary are ideal for small children, while the upper reaches are great for bird watching and exploring. Canoes and SUPs are available for hire at Morgan Bay Hotel reception.
The Morgan Bay Cliffs
Pack your camera and go for a hike over the spectacular cliffs. These impressive slabs of dolerite, which drop some 50 metres into the pounding surf, are ideal vantage points for watching the sunrise or enjoying a sundowner with friends. If you’re lucky, you may even see the dolphins frolicking in the waves which crash against the rocks below.
Morgan Bay Adventures
Morgan Bay Adventures offers daily abseiling and rock climbing on the majestic Morgan Bay cliffs. Alternatively, if shooting your friends and colleagues is more your thing, then they have paintballing available for the brave. Relax at their “Die Koffie Kroeg” and enjoy the stunning view.
Contact: 083 255 0291 / 065 915 2214
Bird Watching
There is an abundance of birding habitats in Kei Mouth and Morgan Bay, ranging from the Great Kei River and Morgan Bay estuary, to back gardens, the two municipal dams, Yellowwood Forest, the beaches, Morgan Bay cliffs and coastal forest of Cape Morgan Nature Reserve. Morgan Bay has confirmed sightings of over 325 species of birds and you can download an up-to-date check list here:
The Yard Lifestyle Centre, Kei Mouth
The Yard is a family-friendly lifestyle hub offering a number of ways to make your holidays more enjoyable. Unleash your creativity with craft supplies found in Kei Country Crafts; or hire some bikes from Pedals and go exploring. Enjoy a cappuccino or picnic from our Good Food Truck under the trees while the youngsters enjoy the jungle gym, various games and the run-through water fountain. Leave your laundry at The Washline while you relax and pick it up, washed, dried and folded.
Kei Country Crafts can assist with your printing and laminating needs and stocks a range of gifts and goodies, including items made by local “goggos” of the Masihlume Kei Crafters project and young adults of the Thinking World Student Project, which seeks to uplift local school leavers by imparting crafting and life skills.
Contact: 066 334 6593
Trevor's Trails
Gates trail: A short boat ride and an easy educational walk in the sub-tropical forest brings you to an amazing rock formation called “The Gates”. Bring your costume, as there is a great waterfall to swim under. The return walk, over higher ground, offers great views. +- 3hours, max 20 people.
Sundown Cruise: Motor slowly up the Qolora River and enjoy the rich bird life. Bring your costume, camera, hats and liquid refreshments. +- 2 hours, max 15 people.
Culture Trail: Enjoy singing, traditional dancing and the preparation and tasting of traditional food, followed by an informal chat with a traditional healer. Please book 1 day in advance. +- 2 hours, min 7 people/ max 30 people.
4×4 Trail: Trevor will pick you up in his 4×4 and take you to visit a Khoisan Midden at Halls Point, followed by a drive to the spectacular falls on the Gxara River. +- 2 hours, max 9 people.
Bookings: reservations@trennerys.co.za
Contact: 047 498 0004
Haga Haga Hiking Trails
Whale Point Walk: A scenic walk to the top of Whale Point, which can be extended by following the path over the brow of the hill and down to Flanagan’s Bay, before circling back along the coastline to Haga Haga.
Krantz Garden Walk: An easy-going walk along the coastal pats between Haga Haga and Pullen’s Bay. Plan your walk to coincide with low tide in each direction.
Otter Creek Trail: Beginning in Hadeda Way, this inland route follows the creek through indigenous forest up to the Old Ninky Noo’s Pub.
Lagoon View Walk: A pleasant walk along the hillside behind the club, interspersed with benches at strategic points, where the views are great.
Haga Haga Retreat River Trail: This 3km amble starts just inside the gates of the Haga Haga Retreat development and meanders alongside the river through the pristine riverine forest, before looping back along the road to the start.
Motorcycle Museum
Approaching the turn off to Morgan Bay you will see a Corvair 880 passenger jet on the side of the road; Believed to be one of only two such aircraft in the World.
Billy Nel’s private museum houses over 650 motorcycles including a rare Yamaha GTS1000A, featuring a forkless front suspension.
Surfing
Morgan Bay has a right hand point break that funnels into the bay in front of the Mitford Hotel. Winter offers the best conditions when off shore winds meet ground swells from the south.
Dolphin & Whale Watching
The Morgan Bay cliffs make ideal vantage points for Dolphin and Whale watching. Dolphins are present year round, but are more common in Winter. Southern Right and Humpback Whales can be seen far out at sea from around June to November, but only venture closer to shore when calving, so bring your binoculars. Bryde’s Whales and Orcas are present year round, but sightings are quite rare.
Blommie's Succulents
After a visit to a specialist succulent nursery ignited an endearing obsession, Blommie’s Succulents was born from a hobby which erupted with 15 plants back in 2014. Now a boutique succulent garden in Kei Mouth, the owner and passsionate succulent nurturer, Marie ‘Blommie’ Jacobs, sells succulents to visitors on site by appointment.
Wild Coast Secret Garden & Clivias
This small boutique nursery in Morgan Bay specialises in Clivias, Orchids, Bromeliads, Ferns and other ornamentals. They are open by appointment only.
Contact: Wayne – 076 793 6286
Sundowners on the Morgan Bay Cliffs
Many good times have been enjoyed by families and friends who meet every evening in Summer for sundowners on the Morgan Bay cliffs, to reflect on the day and forget their troubles. Botha’s Krantz, the furthest South of the Morgan Bay cliffs, is a great spot and the view from up top is just amazing.
Yellowwood Forest Markets
Yellowwood Forest is well-known for its markets. Every Saturday is Market day, its family friendly and children can play while shoppers browse. Craft Markets are held once a month and more frequently during the holidays, particularly during the festive season.
Kei Mouth Bowls Club
The Kei Mouth Bowling Green and clubhouse are situated in the Kei Mouth Caravan Park. Social days are Wednesdays and Saturdays. See the events calendar on the previous few pages for times. The Pub is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 17:00.
Contact: Alex Wallace – 082 902 6137
Morgan Bay Bowls Club
Open every Thursday with Tabs in by 13:45 and play starting at 14:00. The pub is open from approx 16:30 and folks are welcome to attend the card draw which takes place at 17:30
Open every Sunday with Tabs in by 8:45 and play starting at 9:00
We do have some old, large bowls for visitors who would like a game, but do not have their bowls with them. Visitors who wish to arrange a private game when the club is closed, should contact Lesley Eglin on 082 772 4808 to make arrangements. The Green Fees for visitors is R35 per person. Visitors must have some experience of the game if they wish to play.
Contact: 082 772 4808
The Cape Morgan Lighthouse
The fully automated lighthouse was built in 1964 and is one of only four lighthouses along the Wild Coast. The lantern sits atop a 12-metre lattice tower and is visible for 24 sea miles. It is a 3km walk or drive along the coastline from Kei Mouth, or a 2km walk along the beach from Morgan Bay. A path leads down from there to some good fishing spots.
Hazel Jefferies Shell Museum, Kei Mouth
Mon – Fri: 07:00 – 16:00
Saturdays: 09:00 – 11:00
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
The Hazel Jefferies Shell Museum in Kei Mouth has hundreds of varieties of shells on display. It is located at the Municipal offices near the four-way stop in the Main Road.
Haga Haga Game and Nature Reserve
Kiddies lead rides @ R200 per child. Trail rides R400 per person. Riding lessons R300 per person. Booking essential. Weight limit 80kg.
Contact: Heather – 072 304 0837
Yellowwood Forest
Forest Walk:
This beautiful 700m stroll through the magical indigenous forest is open to the public daily. Children are to be accompanied by an adult. See the Monkey Swings and Faerie Grotto, wonder at towering Coral trees, wandering figs, fascinating fungi and the calls of forest birds. The walk takes about 15-20 minutes to complete and is suitable for the whole family.
Holiday Activities:
Fun and playful scheduled activities for children, find more information at www.yellowoodforest.co.za
Contact: WhatsApp – 060 655 8152
Fat Bike Tours & Sales
Fat Bike Tours
Ebike Tours – Kei Mouth, Morgan Bay & surrounds
www.ebikesbybigg.co.za
+27620808872
+27768382118.
Health & Wellness
SASS Wellness & Beauty
We will be delighted to provide you with a highly client-centric and comfortable experience
at our beautiful salon, so come and rebalance and pamper youself with us. Contact us on
082 890 4879 to book your appointment or visit us at no.8 Dolphin Road in Kei Mouth.
Opening Times:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Sunday: 09:00-18:00
Appointments MUST be confirmed via whatsapp or phone beforehand.
We do have card and wifi facilities available at the salon. Payments can be made via eft, payshap, cash or card.
List your health and wellness product here
Contact keimouthtourism@gmail.com to list
The Milkwood Spa, Morgan Bay Hotel
At the magnificent Milkwood Spa, you will struggle to find a more breath-taking view from a spa in the Eastern Cape. We offer a fantastic range of massage and beauty treatments, as well as sauna and relaxing spa bath. End off your amazing experience by enjoying a glass of bubbly from our viewing deck.
Shopping, Souvenirs & Gifts
Boudecca
Handcrafted by Sassebelle
Are you looking for the perfect little momento to take back with you after your visit to our
beautiful village?
Why not treat yourself to something special and purchase a piece of our signature, cow
jewellery range. All of our earrings and necklaces are personally handcrafted by our local
jewellery designer, Sass van Niekerk. Our jewellery are made with hypoallergenic stainless steel
or 925 Sterling Silver and are the perfect memento to encapsulate your trip. We also have other
jewellery options available that are made from mixed materials such as clay, beads, stained
glass, fabrics etc.
We except commission jewellery projects. For all commissions and purchases, please contact
Sass directly on 082 890 489 to make an appointment or visit us on Facebook at Boudecca
Jewellery.
List your place here
Contact keimouthtourism@gmail.com to list
The Oystercatcher
We are a home industry, selling biscuits, jams, preserves, ready-made frozen meals, soft serve ice cream, coffee, gifts, kids toys, caps, Kei Mouth memorabilia and much more.
Contact: 060 930 0381