With 30 years of active Africa travel in our boots, we have developed our itineraries to showcase countries that are most popular amongst travellers to Africa. We take you to iconic locations, but we avoid the crowds. We offer you “Instagram firsts” as well as familiar backdrops. And most important, we expose you to people and traditions different from your own. Not as a spectator, but as a participant.
We are proudly associated with Wildrun Africa, South Africa’s premier trail run events organiser. The annual Wildcoast Wildrun is a multi-stage trail running holiday, covering 113km (68 miles) over 3 days. The route is so popular that it attracts many repeat runners each year. Currently around 45 runners have completed the Wildcoast Wildrun 3 times, while 10 runners have completed 5 or more runs and earned a permanent event number.
Even though it is timed, most runners view the Wildcoast Wildrun as a running holiday. It’s an opportunity to explore the untamed coast and grassy headlands of one of the country’s most beautiful regions. It offers the chance to meet like-minded adventurers and interact with local farmers and herders. This is Nelson Mandela’s birthplace. It is the land of the amaXhosa, who will share your joy in accomplishing each day’s run. And it’s the land of the Nguni cattle who dot the beaches and headlands along the way.
Runners spend each night in a different coastal holiday resort, where they indulge in warm local hospitality before tackling the next day’s trail.
If you are a runner and are planning a trip to South Africa, be sure to add this to your itinerary!
Does this appeal to you, but you prefer a more intimate experience? Contact us to arrange a private departure
Looking for a challenge? Take a look at the Namibia Crossing, a transfrontier technical train run between South Africa and Namibia
Transfers to/from the nearest commercial airports are available and can be purchased with your event entry.
Personal medication
Personal running gear such as a hydration bag
A dry bag is recommended to keep your belongings dry during river crossings
You will be running into the sun all day so hats and sunscreen are highly recommended, with a rain jacket packed just in case.
Cash for drinks which are not included
A medical form, signed by your doctor will be required by the organisers
You need medical evacuation insurance
There are rivers to cross each day. These could be as low as an ankle-deep wade or they could require a brief swim, depending on the time of day you reach each river.
This is a solo run. Groups of runner will undoubtedly join up on the route, but you will not be required to run in teams.
Average temperatures on the Wild Coast during the day range from 15-25ºC. A range of weather can be expected. The ‘beasterly-easterly’ is
a well-known feature and is a ferocious headwind.
No GPS is required or necessary. The course is not marked and navigation is as simple as keeping the sea on your right.
Arrive at the start at Kei Mouth and settle into your hotel.
Meet for drinks and the pre-run briefing before gathering for dinner.
The first day’s run is the longest and comprises 44km/27 miles of grassy headlands, beaches and river crossings.
A checkpoint provides water, food and moral support for the run.
This leg finishes on the grass in fornt of the coastal resort, Kob Inn.
Meet this evening for tomorrow’s route briefing, a review of today’s images and a lucky draw before dinner and much-needed rest.
Today’s route is 35km/22 miles along undulating coastal hills and grassy slopes with short sections of beach, through a coastal forest reserve.
A manned check point offers food, water and support approximately half-way through the course.
Finish today’s run at The Haven, within the Dwesa-Cwebe Wildlife Reserve.
Meet this evening for a route briefing for the final day, perhaps win a lucky draw prize, have dinner and rest up for the final run.
The final day covers a distance of 34km/21 miles to the end of the run at the iconic Hole-In-The-Wall, near Coffee Bay.
The route includes a leg-busting vertical gain of over 1000m with some if the best trail running conditions.
The run finishes with a spectacular view of the Hole-In-The-Wall, before a fast downhill to the end.
Enjoy a lazy barbeque on the beach while waiting for the field to finish.
Check into the final hotel for prize-giving, dinner and the obligatory post-run party!
Multiple transfers leave the hotel this morning for local airports.
