Hike, Kayak and Wild Swim South Africa

On the Tugela River you'll use double 'sit-on-top' kayaks, which are very stable and easy to paddle for everyone, from new paddlers through to experienced paddlers. The rivercraft available at the Mtentu Estuary is a mix of sit-on-top kayaks and Canadian-style canoes.

The maximum weight limit for the kayaks is 100kg (15st 10lb).

Your host has factored in alternative hiking routes in the Drakensberg and Wild Coast area in case bad weather affects any of the planned routes during the trip. At Zingela, the Tugela River Valley section of the trip, the water levels will dictate which activities you'll take part in: when the water levels are at their highest, groups will raft the river; when they are lower, the river is more suitable for kayaking. If the water levels drop so low as to not allow either rafting or kayaking, your host has factored in an alternative hiking day through the river valley.

Your host will provide clean drinking water throughout the trip and the tap water in South Africa is generally safe in most of the areas you'll be visiting. Make sure to bring along a reusable water bottle to keep with you throughout the adventure.

As this trip starts in Johannesburg and ends in Durban, you won't be able to leave any excess luggage at the start of the trip.

Please read the FAQ titled "Do I have to carry all my stuff for the trip?" regarding how to pack for this trip.

No. For your main bag, bring a soft duffel bag or suitcase (55-70L capacity; max. 15kgs). For your daypack, bring a medium-sized rucksack (35-45L capacity) to carry enough personal items and changes of clothing for Day 2 to Day 4 (hiking in the Drakensberg) and Day 7 to Day 9 (hiking on the Mtentu coastline).

On Day 2, you will leave your main bag at the Cavern Hotel, returning on Day 4 after two nights spent in the mountains at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge. On Day 7, your main luggage will remain in Port Edward to be collected on Day 10 as you travel to Durban. For these three days hiking in Mtentu, you should plan to hike with everything you need in your daypack.

Please refer to the Kit List for specific items to bring. If you have any questions before travelling, just contact your host who will be happy to advise.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

South African cuisine is shaped by a rich mix of indigenous traditions, colonial influences and diverse cultural communities, resulting in a food culture that is flavourful, varied and strongly centred around meat. Braais, stews and grilled dishes play a central role, often accompanied by maize-based sides and simple vegetables. While this meat-focused heritage can be limiting for some, awareness of dietary requirements is growing, particularly in cities and well-established tourist areas. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are increasingly available, and restaurants are generally open to adapting dishes when asked, though travellers with more complex dietary needs may find it helpful to plan ahead, especially in more remote regions.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can easily be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Vegan -Vegan diets are challenging to cater for in certain locations on this trip. The hotels on the Drakensberg have fully vegan menu options, and the Tugela Bush Camp always goes above and beyond to prepare separate vegan meals. However, at the homestay on the Wild Coast, vegan options are less understood and can be more limited in variety so you should come prepared for this.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal -Halal diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, in certain locations, vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) -Gluten-Free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Whilst there will be plenty of carbohydrates provided, there won’t always be direct substitutes available. Please do therefore consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Lactose Free -Lactose-Free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Please note that Soya, Oat or Macadamia milk are used widely as direct milk substitutes, but it is more difficult to provide direct alternatives to cheese or butter.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

In the Drakensberg Mountains, during the summer months of December to February, temperatures in the lower elevations can range from 20-30°C (68-86°F), while temperatures in the higher elevations can range from 10-20°C (50-68°F). During the winter months of June to August, temperatures in the lower elevations can drop down to 10-20°C (50-68°F), while temperatures in the higher elevations can drop below freezing, with occasional snowfall.

The Eastern Cape province of South Africa has a varied climate with different regions experiencing different weather patterns. The coastal regions are generally milder and wetter, while the interior regions are drier and have greater temperature extremes.

The Eastern Cape and Wild Coast area has a temperate climate, with warm summers and cool winters. The summer months of December to February are generally warm to hot, with temperatures ranging from around 20-30°C (68-86°F) in the coastal regions and 25-35°C (77-95°F) in the interior. The summer months also tend to be the wettest, typically with afternoon rainstorms that pass through quickly. The winter months of June to August are cooler and drier, with temperatures ranging from around 10-20°C (50-68°F) in the coastal regions and 5-15°C (41-59°F) in the interior. Frost and occasional snowfall can occur in the high-lying areas of the province during winter.