The hums of the rushing tide echo across the land. Along the Eastern Cape coastline, a realm of natural beauty and heritage reigns. AmaXhosa locals call it izi Khaleni – the place of thunder. But it’s widely known as Hole in the Wall. Imbued with myths and legends, wonder booms all around.
GO: Journey for 290 kilometres from East London. The amaXhosa people have lived in this region for centuries, continuing their rites of passage and traditional lifestyle.
SEE: At the mouth of the Mpako River, admire an iconic rock formation. The Hole in the Wall is punctured in its centre as a result of tumultuous waves eroding the sandstone and shale. This colossal arch has spurred legendary tales. It’s said that semi-deities lived in this ocean. One of the sea people fell in love with an isiXhosa woman, but her father refused the couple. In order to be reunited, the man sought out a giant fish to ram a hole in the cliff, sweeping his lover away. If conditions are right, you may still hear the sea people singing beneath the waves.
DO: Take a guided hike with The Coffee Shack. From Coffee Bay to the Hole in the Wall, venture on foot for nine kilometres, immersing yourself in the coastal vistas.
Join the village walk and sit with locals to learn about their ways of life. Relish a traditional meal with a cup of umqombothi, Xhosa beer crafted from corn and maze.
Tune out of the urban jungle and enter a region of ancient marvels. Embark on a journey where ocean, sky, and land collide. Here, life is electric.
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