Breaching whale and zebras – there are not many places in the world where one can watch wildlife on land with whales and dolphins offshore.
Mkambathi Nature Reserve, The Wild Coast, Eastern Cape, South Africa
ONE OF THESE SITES COULD BE
Mkambathi Nature Reserve is situated along Eastern Cape’s “Wild Coast” between Port Edward (30 km to the north east) and Port St Johns (59 km to the south west). Mkambathi must rank as one of the most beautiful reserves in South Africa. Of all the many diverse protected areas in the country, few can match Mkambathi for its pristine ecology and sense of paradise. Crystal clear rivers, deep gorges, rolling grasslands, pockets of dense swamp forest and beautiful secluded beaches are the ingredients to a superlatively photogenic scene. Then there are the waterfalls. Mkambathi boasts 21 of them. Among the most impressive is Mkambathi Falls, one of only two dozen worldwide that cascades directly into the ocean.
The rolling grasslands are reminiscent of the Serengeti plains – but with the wild Indian Ocean as the backdrop.
There are few places on earth where you can watch a herd of eland, blesbok or Burchell’s zebra while dolphins and whales breach nearby in the warm sea. The adjacent Pondoland Marine Protected Area offshore is one of the largest in the country and the focus of one of the largest animal predation events on earth, the annual sardine run.
A benign sub-tropical climate means that there is no malaria and you seldom have to put on a jersey.
This is not a “Big 5” reserve, so hiking, mountain-biking, fishing, game viewing, rock-pool exploring or simply sunning yourself on the unspoilt and uncrowded beaches are the main terrestrial activities. Boating out to sea is a must for scuba divers, snorkellers and whale watchers. The reserve has been sub-divided into two; the public southern zone and the private northern zone of around 5,000 hectares. This project only involves the northern zone.
Mkambathi is unique in South Africa and should be on everyone’s list of must-visit nature reserves. To own your own beach villa here is a once-off opportunity and privilege.
“The rolling grasslands are reminiscent of the Serengeti plains –but with the wild Indian Ocean as the backdrop.”
ONE OF TWO DOZEN WATERFALLS IN THE WORLD THAT FLOW D IRECTLY INTO THE OCEAN
This south-eastern sector of South Africa falls within one of the world’s 34 most important biodiversity “hotspots” –those areas that contain most of the earth’s ecological richness yet are threatened. South Africa has three of these “hotspots” – the Cape Floristic region, the Succulent Karoo and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany region where Mkambathi is situated. Mkambathi Nature Reserve is the cornerstone of conservation on the Wild Coast, and is one of the few places left on South Africa’s east coast that is untarnished by the extensive development seen elsewhere. The reserve takes its name from the Mkambathi palm, one of the world’s rarest and most localised plants. The palm is one of 196 endemic plant species out of a total of 2,200 that grow in Pondoland. Mkambathi is one of only two protected areas within the Pondoland hotspot.
The leached sandstone soils which occur in this part of the Wild Coast have contributed to the high diversity of plant life. The combination of these soils and the warm climate means many plants have had to adapt differently to plants elsewhere else along South Africa’s east coast. Several of the rivers in the reserve have their headwaters within Mkambathi and are therefore clean and unpolluted, while hundreds of sparkling rock pools make for excellent swimming and exploring experiences.
“Mkambathi is the cornerstone of conservation on the Wild Coast.”
MKAMBATHI IS A
1 OF 21 WATERFALLS FOUND IN MKAMBATHI
Mkambathi Nature Reserve will be divided into two zones – the public zone to the south, and the private northern area of about 5,000 hectares where the beach lodge and beach villas will be located.
Access to the northern zone is restricted to guests of the luxury boutique beach lodge and its ten beach villas. Visitors to the beach lodge and villas are assured of exclusivity while enjoying Mkambathi’s stunning, empty northern beaches.
Mkambathi is perfect for families and couples; indeed, for anyone longing for an unspoilt coastal destination and for those who wish to experience the authentic Wild Coast.
SURROUNDED BY A MARINE PROTECTED ZONE
Mkambathi today offers a wonderful and peaceful safe haven where friends and families can unwind in a pristine, beach, sea and “bush” environment.
Activities at Mkambathi are varied and diverse and focus primarily on its uncrowded beaches, the year round warm sea water and the rolling hills inland. The coastline is complemented by some of the most stunning activities for the adrenalin enthusiast and for the more sedentary – mountain eBikes, walks and hikes; horses (in time); birding; botany-ing; rockpool and intertidal-zone exploring; swimming in crystal clear, unpolluted rivers, pools and lagoons; kayaking and canoeing; whale watching; climbing and abseiling and then offshore scuba, snorkeling and boating! The game drives are productive – the reserve is deliberately not “Big 5” so that one can enjoy one’s walks without wondering what stalks!
The Wild Coast’s seas are warm year round. Offshore is the Pondoland Marine Protected Area, the largest in South Africa that provides a sanctuary for many of South Africa’s coastal fishes that are often over-exploited elsewhere. In total there are around 800 fish species that can be found along the Wild Coast. Sea bream (poenskop, Scotsman and slinger) are endemic to South Africa’s shores and are found nowhere else in the world while species like musselcracker, galjoen, stumpnose, kingfish, yellowtail, tuna and grunter are all found here.
No fishing is allowed in the protected area with the exception of the area around GweGwe, which is consequently renowned for its superb angling. No wonder, as on either side of GweGwe is a thriving and well-protected marine reserve where fish life is abundant. Fishermen at Mkambathi revel in its excellent, productive fishing grounds.
CANOEING ON THE MTENTU RIVER IS ONE OF THE MANY ACTIVITES ON OFFER
THE SARDINE RUN:
The sardine run off southern Africa’s shoreline occurs from June through July when billions of sardines spawn in the waters off the Agulhas Bank and then congregate and move northward along the east coast of South Africa. The best place to view the sardine run is between Port St Johns and Port Edward in June and July. Mkambathi is right at the heart of the action! The sheer number of sardines (sometimes a shoal will be many kilometres long) creates a feeding frenzy along the coastline where every conceivable predator feasts on the migrating fish – both in the sea and from the air. Schools of thousands of dolphins, sharks and Bryde’s whales are common at this time of year.
GweGwe is a registered boat launch site and our guests will be able to travel out to sea to view and photograph this spectacle, as well as snorkel and scuba dive in the
warm waters and at some of the offshore reefs. And maybe even a bit of offshore sightseeing, fishing for the pot (within the designated fishing area) and whale watching (if regulations permit).
In 1922 all the local people were permanently moved out of the area and a leper hospital and colony was established. The facility later became a TB hospital. Then in 1977 the seaward portion of Mkambathi’s rolling grasslands was proclaimed a provincial Nature Reserve and the old doctor’s house, related facilities and the rondavels built at GweGwe became visitor accommodation.
At the turn of this century, community members of seven villages adjoining Mkambathi formed the Mkambathi Land Trust to represent the rights of 40,000 community members from these villages whose ancestors, the original
inhabitants, were forced off their land. They claimed for restitution of their land rights under the Restitution of Land Rights Act. Today the Mkambathi Land Trust owns 18,000 hectares of both the Mkambathi Nature Reserve and the adjacent “TRACOR” grasslands. The terms of the settlement agreement signed and agreed to by the community is that Mkambathi Nature Reserve will remain a provincial reserve in perpetuity, managed by Eastern Cape Parks. The financial benefits of the reserve are now spilt – two thirds accruing to the community for their benefit and upliftment, the other third accruing to the Eastern Cape Parks to cover their costs
of managing the conservation issues of the reserve. As part of the process, the beach lodge will outsource as many jobs as possible to the local community, as well as train and upskill employees. In addition, the beach lodge will help the Trust rebuild and manage a small lodge plus tented camp located in the southern public area of the reserve.
An organic farm is planned to be created on the outskirts of the reserve; the community will be the sole financial beneficiary – and the beach lodge and their villas will be the prime customer.
For decades the rustic rondavels right on the coast at GweGwe have hosted many thousands of visitors to Mkambathi. This spectacular site will now be transformed into a luxury 30-bedded boutique beach lodge that will open its doors in 2024. GweGwe is also the site where some of the project’s beach villas will be built for discerning buyers.
GweGwe is the end of the road for saloon motor cars as
the all-weather concrete track ends right here and goes no further. From GweGwe onwards the tracks are only passable in the beach lodge’s rugged 4×4 vehicles.
GweGwe’s main attraction is its wonderful beach and safe swimming lagoon. At GweGwe and a few hundred meters on either side is the only place where fishing is allowed anywhere within the Pondoland Marine Protected Area.
Just inland from GweGwe (and out of earshot) is the reserve’s 1,500 meter airfield that will be able to accommodate aircraft up the size of 12-seater Cessna Caravans as well as Pilatus PC12s and some Beechcraft King Airs.
The style of the lodge and the villas will be one of appropriate luxury that blends seamlessly with the environment.
“GweGwe’s main attraction is its wonderful beach and safe swimming lagoon.”
The beach lodge will only have 30 beds in various configurations – two-bedded suites; four-bedded family suites and a six-bedded villa. These will be complemented by the beach villas that elect to be part of the rental pool. Each of the beach lodge’s bedroom suites will be spacious and have its own bath with a dramatic view, an indoor and an outdoor shower, sala and pool.
The beach lodge’s facilities will include a choice of dining areas – one indoors and another outdoors with a further option to have meals served barefoot on the beach with sand between one’s toes. A snooker and games room, a pub and a spa offering round off the facilities. One of the pubs will be more formal; the other a tropical-style casual “shipwreck” bar is on the rocks close to the beach.
The latest renewable green technologies will be used
throughout the beach lodge footprint to ensure that the ecological and visual impacts will be minimal. All 220V electricity will be generated by solar and wind on site (with an emergency back-up generator) that will provide ample power all day and night ensuring that there will be no unsightly powerlines to spoil the natural aesthetics. The boutique beach lodge will have world-class facilities, but still resemble a casual, coastal retreat.
“The boutique beach lodge will have world-class facilities, but still resemble a casual, coastal retreat.”
Mkambati Matters has been awarded the exclusive right to build ten private beach villas and a 30-bedded luxury beach lodge within the Mkambathi Nature Reserve. The twin beneficiaries of this partnership will be our host community and the reserve itself.
Beach villas will be around 450 m2 to 500 m2 in size with a choice of three, four or five bedrooms right on the coastline in a safe and secure environment within this proclaimed provincial Nature Reserve – a first for South Africa. Each single-storey villa will be constructed on the buyer’s chosen site in accordance with the environmentally harmonious architectural design, style and theme. Each beach villa will be located on over a hectare of prime coastal property.
Each parcel of land will be landscaped to ensure unobstructed views, privacy and exclusivity. Only the latest best green technologies will be installed to ensure that the impacts are minimised whilst delivering all the 220V electricity, water, services and facilities that a five star establishment demands.
These villas have been designed by well known and respected Durban architect Lisa Rorich with Kate Moffat from Hint Interiors designing the interiors. Both have been holidaying along the Wild Coast since their childhood days and understand the climate, terrain and “sense of place”. Each villa will have a number of indoor and outdoor venues and entertainment areas to suit all
seasons and weather conditions. Each villa will be fully self-contained with its own kitchen, scullery, laundry, stores and an additional bedroom for your domestic or beach lodge service staff when the villa is rented out (if the villa buyer elects to be part of the beach lodge’s rental pool.)
Villa buyers have the option to enter into an optional agreement with the beach lodge to place their villa into an income-earning rental pool for when the owner is not in residence. Full rental pool participants will not have to lay out money for levies as they will be accrued by the hotel through the rental revenues earned from visiting tourists.
Own a luxury fourbedroom villa on the coastline in a safe environment.A view from one of the lagoon villa sites.
The ten beach villas can be built at a choice of two stunning locations on either side of GweGwe Lodge. Both locations offer exquisite beach and lagoon settings within Mkambathi Nature Reserve’s private northern zone. Each site has its own attraction and charm that will appeal to different parties for different reasons. The beach villas will be able to enjoy the privacy of their own villa whilst being able to utilise the restaurant, spa and sporting facilities at the lodge.
“The ten beach villas can be built at a choice of two stunning locations on either side of GweGwe Lodge”
Tucked away into the forest besides GweGwe Lagoon is the Riverside facility that used to offer park accommodation for visitors to this part of Mkambati. It’s the ideal bad-weather day area. The old thatched structures are now beyond repair and are being knocked down to
make way for GweGwe’s new leisure centre that will house our bikes, kayaks and will include facilities like a relaxed pizza bar, pool table, table tennis, a TV & movie room as well as a kiddies club.
The Mkambati Nature Reserve (also known as Mkhambathi) is a fully proclaimed Eastern Cape provincial game reserve. The land is owned by the Mkambati Land Trust, a trust that represents the neighbouring rural community of around 6,600 households who live about 20km inland from the reserve. This community was evicted from their land in the 1920s and under South African Government’s land restitution process, have been awarded the land back by the State and are now the title owners of the land. The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Authority (ECPTA) are the mandated organisation to provide the management and conservation expertise.
Mkambati Nature Reserve is around 7,400 hectares in size with 12km of coastline. The reserve is divided into two areas – the public area in the south around the Msikaba River and a northern area, which area has been granted to Mkambati Matters (Pty) Ltd in terms of a long lease (the concession). This concession allows for the development of a beach lodge up to 30 beds, and ten villas and is for the use of guests staying at either the beach lodge or in the villas. Mkambati Matters will assign the lease right to each villa site to persons desiring to build their villa in the concession.
Mkambati Matters, as the lessee, is the development company. Their project team
is headed up by Colin Bell, Keith Stannard, Axel Schwarzer and Zuko Kubukeli who have combined decades of experience in developing tourism lodges and hotels throughout Africa. Mkambati Matters will manage the development of the concession and erect the beach lodge while each villa lessee will develop their villa on their villa site, according to the terms of their lease and the architectural, development and environmental guidelines.
The Mkambati lies at the heart of the Pondoland Centre of Endemism and home to many floral and other species that occur nowhere else in the world. Mkambati offers a pleasant, warm climate year-round. There is no malaria. The reserve is not a “Big 5” reserve, so there is no dangerous wildlife and is therefore an ideal destination for families and outdoor activities – boating, walking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking etc. The wildlife within the reserve includes eland, zebra, blesbok, wildebeest, hartebeest, and other small game. In time, it would be an aim to be able to expand the biodiversity of the reserve with species that are no longer there, which may lead to oribi, southern reed buck, and maybe even white rhino being re-introduced into the interior of the reserve. Besides guests and staff, Mkambati is completely uninhabited.
Access to Mkambati is either by air, road, helicopter or boat. The reserve has a 1,500-metre grass runway that is suitable for a Pilatus PC12, Cessna Caravan and certain King Airs. When the lodge opens, the aim is to run weekly scheduled flights from Johannesburg and Durban to Mkambati subject to demand. Alternatively, it is an interesting and beautiful hour and a half
helicopter flight from Durban along the coastline or a quick 20-minute helicopter flight from Margate. The drive from Durban is around 350 km on mostly tarred roads up until the last 35 km. The new N2 highway is under construction close to Mkambati, making road access even easier and quicker when that opens in the future. The more adventurous and fun option is an hour and 15 minutes boat trip out to sea from Port Edward to Mkambati.
The villas sites on the coastline and/or lagoon in an area of the concession known as GweGwe, and adjacent to the beach lodge. Villa investors can select their preferred site depending upon availability.
the villa is situated?
The standard villas are approximately 500 m2 in size and are located on over a hectare of prime coastal land. These villas can be increased or decreased in extent (within reason) to suit individual needs, preferences and finances. The standard luxury villa design has four ensuite bedrooms, a lounge, dining room, kitchen, stores, garage and its own swimming pool with three and five bedroomed options available.
is the lease on the villas?
The total overall lease period is to December 2089 via an assignment of rights, directly with The Mkambati Land Trust. The lease is made up of two stages, the first period until 2068 and a further 21 years extension which can be triggered immediately taking it to December 2089 upon payment of a fee. The lease for each villa is registered against the title deed of the mother erf, being Mkambati Land Trust title deed.
Mkambati Matters will assign/transfer to you the right to lease the villa site and build the villa in terms of an assignment of lease agreement, against payment of the cost of assignment.
The concession negotiations were conducted under the guidance and close scrutiny of a team of experienced transaction advisors that included Webber Wentzel, a respected law firm in Johannesburg. After a lengthy process, the legal contract and terms between the community’s Trust, the Eastern Cape Parks and Mkambati Matters was agreed upon. Contracts were drawn up by Webber Wentzel and signed by all parties, including the Eastern Cape Government (represented by the MEC) and the Mkambati Land Trust who are the legal owners of the reserve. The Lessee’s rights to their villa and their land are secure as the lease for each villa will be between the lessee and the Mkambati Land Trust, which is registered in the Deeds Office against the mother erf’s title deed.
Yes – with a maximum of 12 members in the syndicate, subject to all members abiding to the constitution of the Mkambati Lodge and Villa Association via a nominated single representative of a legal entity (company/trust/ etc) which holds the lease rights for the villa.
Each villa lessee will automatically become a voting member of the Mkambati Lodge & Villa Association (MLVA) – the entity that will be set up to govern relationships between the lodge and all the villa owners. The MLVA will be the entity that will address
the infrastructure, security, maintenance and other work in and around the development. Each villa will be liable for a monthly levy that will be 7.27% of the total costs incurred by the MLVA.
Is there a park / concession fee?
For the purpose of conservation, community and the reserve, all visitors will pay a fair and reasonable market related park / concession fee per person per night to Mkambati Matters. The fee secures funds that are crucial for protecting and expanding the wildlife habitat, supporting rural communities as well as managing the reserve and concession.
Is there a rental pool?
There is a rental pool in which all villas are included. Your villa can be rented out by Mkambati Matters through the beach lodge at an agreed set fee per night, adjusted for seasons and occupancies.
How are the beach lodge and villas marketed and managed?
Mkambati Matters will conclude a marketing and management agreement between the beach lodge and the villas in terms of which they will market and manage these properties.
Can I rent out my villa privately?
Villas can be marketed independently by the villa owner at an agreed retail and nett price, provided the villa booking is made through the Mkambati Matter’s reservation system at a preagreed commission.
How does the rental pool work?
The beach lodge will pay each villa a negotiated and agreed flat rental rate per night that will vary according to time of year and occupancies. To this base rental fee, the beach lodge will
add the cost of food, drinks, amenities, FF&E reserve (furniture, fittings & equipment), activities, staff costs, booking fees, travel agent’s commissions, VAT etc, together with a fair mark-up to arrive at a retail selling price for your villa per night. The FF&E fund will be around 5% of nett revenue which will be spent on minor breakages, routine repairs and routine maintenance.
Does a lessee have to be on site with their guests?
No. The owner can send his guests to their villa unaccompanied so long as the owner remains responsible for their conduct and the occupants abide all rules and regulations.
How is villa maintenance done?
The beach lodge will offer a full villa maintenance service that villa owners may elect to use at agreed upon fees.
How does access into and around the reserve work?
Normal saloon cars can drive all the way to the beach lodge and villas. Access to the northern part of the concession area and its attractions further north of GweGwe within Mkambati like the Mtentu River, North Beach etc can only be accessed by 4×4 vehicles that have ample clearance. Guests may book the use of a beach lodge game drive vehicle (subject to availability) or their own 4×4 on the reserve provided there is no offroad driving. Traversing the northern concession area and the reserve is subject to conduct rules. Hikers and cyclists who are traversing the Wild Coast will be transiting the concession on an interesting route that takes them away from the beach lodge and villas.
Who are the design team, architect and interiors?
Lisa Rorich is the architect and Kate Moffatt is the interiors person. Both Lisa and Kate are well experienced in the hospitality industry with many prestigious lodges to their credit including for Lisa:- Singita’s Faru Faru Lodge in the Serengeti and Desroches Island Lodge’s phase II villas and Singita’s Sabora for Kate.
Villa lessees are welcome to bring in their own professional team who must work with the MLVA’s professionals and comply with the development guidelines.
How do the villas and the beach lodge get their electricity?
We do not want to scar the pristine rolling grasslands with electricity pylons. Each villa will therefore be required to have its own independent standalone off-grid 220V electricity generating and storage systems via unobtrusive solar panels backed up by an energy efficient silent generator.
How do the villas and the beach lodge get their hot and cold water?
Fresh clean water will be pumped from a weir and borehole nearby and will be filtered so it offers clean potable water to the villas and the beach lodge. Water consumption in the villas will be metered and charged at normal market related tariffs. Hot water will be provided by an energy efficient and effective thermodynamic water heating system.
How is our grey water processed?
The villas and beach lodge will have their own modern, efficient grey water and sewerage biofiltration processing plants to ensure that we do not pollute the environment. Where it is possible and viable, grey water systems may be shared with neighbouring villas. The
wastewater treatment systems will comply with strict Government and environmental regulations.
Where will villa guests buy their provisions for their villa stay?
Villa guests can choose to eat in their villas or in the lodge subject to availability. They can either bring their own provisions, or alternatively order these in advance through the beach lodge. The beach lodge will then purchase and stock the villa and fridge ahead of arrival. The plan is to create a community-owned organic vegetable farm in the community lands surrounding the reserve that will supply fresh vegetables to the beach lodge and the villas and will also assist the community with an alternative source of revenue. The ultimate objective is to support local suppliers wherever possible. Other bulk and dry goods stocks will be transported in and stored in the beach lodge’s bulk storerooms near the main entrance gate to the reserve.
The best way to fly into the reserve at present is by helicopter from either Durban or Margate; by boat from Port Edward (around 75 minutes boating away) or by Pilatus PC 12 direct from Johannesburg. The helicopter flight offers the additional advantage of seeing and experiencing much of Mkambati Reserve in a relatively short space of time and much of the surrounding countryside. If you buy a villa, then the costs of that helicopter flight will be deducted from the purchase price of your villa.
The required environmental authorisation has been obtained for the project and building plans have been approved by the Local Municipality.
R4,95 million excl VAT
• Reserve size: 7 500 hectares / 12km of coastline
• Private concession size (plot location): 5 000 hectares
• Plot Sizes: between 1 and 1.4 hectares of prime coastal property
• Ten beach facing villa sites are available to investors at the GweGwe precinct within the Mkambati Nature Reserve
• Each plot will be landscaped to ensure unobstructed views, privacy and exclusivity
• Villas to be designed by respected Durban architect Lisa Rorich and Kate Moffatt founder of HiNT Interiors
• Each villa will be constructed in accordance with the environmentally harmonious architectural design, style and theme
• Beach villas will be single-storey and approximately 450m² to 600m² depending on the investors requirements
• A choice of three, four or five bedrooms can be built
• The latest green technologies will be installed to ensure environmental impact is minimised
• Villa investors will be able to utilise the restaurant, spa and sporting facilities at the main GweGwe Lodge that will be opening in December 2023.
• Villa investors will earn a return by placing their villa into an income-earning rental pool when not in residence
• Villa’s can be syndicated, with a maximum of 12 members in the syndicate
• Access to Mkambati is either by air, road (375 km from Durban), helicopter or boat
• 1 100-metre grass runway suitable for aircraft up to the size of a Pilatus PC12, Cessna Caravan and most King Airs.
• The reserve is fenced inland and the two rivers to the north-east and south-west are so steep and impenetrable that this results in the reserve being fully secure
• Mkambati Matters will also be deploying their own security teams for the concession over and above the anti-poaching units that are there
• Note: There are 10 villa plots available to investors from R4.95m (excl VAT)
Mkambati is a magnificent 7 500ha with 12km of coastline situated along the “Wild Coast” in the Eastern Cape between Port Edward and Port St Johns and is one of the world’s 34 most important biodiversity ‘hotspots’. To put this into perspective, South Africa is home to three of these hotspots – the Cape Floristic region, the Succulent Karoo and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany region where Mkambati is situated. Amazingly the nature reserve has no less than 21 waterfalls, the most impressive being Mkambati Falls, one of only 24 in the world that cascades directly into the sea.
For many who have spent holidays hiking its unspoilt shores, there is no doubt that Mkambati ranks as one of the most beautiful coastal reserves anywhere in Africa. Pristine rivers with crystal-clear water, tumbling waterfalls, deep gorges, rolling grasslands, pockets of dense forest and secluded beaches are just a few of the reasons why it is a privilege to be able to join a ground-breaking community and conservation project called Mkambati Matters, which is fast on track to becoming one of the cornerstones of conservation on the Wild Coast.
The new GweGwe lodge, designed by Durban-based eco-architect Lisa Rorich, with interiors by Kate Moffat of Hint Interiors, will also be one of the greenest ever to be developed in South Africa. It will be totally off-grid and powered by the latest solar and wind technologies. Phase 1 of GweGwe Lodge is due to open its doors in December 2023 with the villas following down the line.
It’s a dream location for a sensitively designed eco-lodge, not least because the benign sub-tropical climate of the Wild Coast means that this area is malaria-free and that one seldom has to dress warmly. It also has a safe swimming lagoon and unspoilt beach. The fact that this is not a Big Five reserve has its benefits: land activities are diverse: hiking, mountain-biking, fishing, game viewing, exploring rock-pools, inter-tidal zones and waterfalls or kayaking up rivers to the call of fish eagles, while busy kingfishers and curious otters keep you company. Boating out to sea is a must for experienced scuba divers and snorkellers or seasonal whale watching.
The reserve has been sub-divided into two: the public southern zone and the private northern zone of around 5 000ha, where this project is located. Access to the north is restricted to guests at the lodge or beach villas. Access to GweGwe will be by aircraft directly to the 1100m runway within Mkambati Reserve from Durban, Margate and even Johannesburg, by helicopter from Margate (20-minute scenic flight) or Durban (just over an hour away) by road or even by boat from Port Edward (1h15mins). GweGwe’s 1 100m airfield is well out of sight (and earshot) of the lodge and takes 12-seat Cessna Caravans and Pilatus PC12s, and some Beechcraft King Air planes.
It is in this context that we present to you a ground-breaking opportunity to invest in a villa and join this beautiful biodiversity hotspot. By doing so, these rolling grasslands, waterfalls and pristine beaches will be protected against repeated attempts to mine this magnificent coastline, while giving villa investors the opportunity to contribute via a tried-and-tested business model to the livelihood of the community, who were displaced in the 1920s, and to participate in conserving its wild hills, grasslands, waterfalls and beaches for generations to come.
