Food, Fun and Adventure: Hiking in the hinterland

South Africa is renowned for its scenic hiking trails that give visitors the chance to discover the natural beauty of a region while immersing themselves in the cultural wonders as well.

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Now, visitors to the KZN South Coast will get even more opportunity to enjoy such nature-based adventures with the launch of the Weza Hiking Trail recently.

“The establishment of hiking trails satisfies our tourists’ desire to experience the natural beauty of the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom, while also expanding the economic footprint of tourism into the hinterland,” said Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE).

The 8km Weza Hiking Trail starts in the iKhwezi rural area, approximately 10km from the farming town of Harding. A trained local guide will take visitors from the junction of the Mawane and Weza rivers, the latter being a northern tributary of the mighty uMtamvuna River. Visitors will traverse two amaKhosi areas, KwaMachi and KwaJali in Umuziwabantu, finishing at a real hidden gem, the Mkhoba Waterfall.

Hikers will enjoy some unique bird watching and wildlife spotting while crossing through indigenous forests and over rivers to incredible viewpoints. Most of the area is covered with a green carpet of grass known as the Aristida junciformis, which in Zulu is known as Ingongoni. This scenic walk will be enhanced by stories shared by the local guide.

For those who would like to extend their stay, there is comfortable accommodation at Ntozakhe homestay. Guests will learn more about the mixture of two local cultures, Zulu and Xhosa, while enjoying traditional meals and braais either at the homestay or a picnic spot overlooking the Weza River.

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