Enormous thatched rooms, masses of timber that tower above you and all over, the interesting bits of art and quirky momentoes she has collected along her life. Bedrooms with heavenly comfortable beds, crisp cotton linen, marvellous antiques, art all original, and all the rooms set so that they are comfortable, private, with their own portion of stoep, and an unparalleled view of mighty Umzimvubu River. (Xhosa word for home of the hippo). There are endless wooden walkways that lead you to corners where you can sit and mull over the 'essence' that is so special here. While trying to take it all in, there's laughter and the pop of corks, with the smell of a wood fire lingering somewhere.

 

 

Some of the most amazing collections of ancient grindstones collected from the local areas in her travels are lined up along the 'bridges' as there is no pattern to Thea's style. It's just 'there', exuding warmth and comfort. You feel at home immediately. Hammocks swing from amazing trees and the giant Coral trees are smothered in outsized Delicious Monster plants. The smell of granadillas hanging heavy on their vines, avocado, and masses of lemon trees interspersed with paw paws – it's like a fruit salad in a garden. The veggie and salad garden are equally delightful. Everything grows so large there.

 

 

Wild Coast Kitchen is about food, good company, and simply celebrating life. Thea has come up with this most innovative concept, having experienced tourism from the incredible Whale region down in the western portion of the Cape. Here, in the heart of the Wild Coast, Thea has taken the cornucopia of local attractions and activities, packaged them into an unforgettable experience - a little offbeat, and far removed from the mundane.

She accepts 'overnight guests' but the focus is Wild Coast Kitchen, where couples, singles, and groups can learn from great international and national chefs to 'cook on the wild side'. It's a five-day stay, with the cookery classes taking up three full days, amidst great hilarity, much food tasting and wine sipping. Most people prefer driving down through the green hills of this former Transkei region, but Thea also fetches her guests from Mthatha or from the local airstrip if they prefer to fly in by chartered planes.

Practical information

Number of rooms available: - 8 double rooms and 1 family unit (sleeps 4)
Price per person per night: - Appr. R 450 - 550 pppns
Breakfast included: - yes, World famous, does not compary to anything you've ever seen
Dinner: - Is what we're known for!A 3 Course meal from R 150,-
Children welcome: - yes

 

 

The beaches are pristine and most of them safe for bathing, whilst possibly the most famous activity is bird watching. No less than 250 species of birds can be sighted with little difficulty, as the forests along the river are dense and intriguing. These birds are actually recorded in the Port St Johns area and as far South as the Umngazi River and as far North as the Mtafufu River over the last ten years. These include the sea-birds. We spotted Green Pigeons, Cape Parrots, Cinnamon Dove, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Purple, Crested and Knysna Loeries, Red-chested, Black, Emerald and Jacobin Cuckoos, Wood, Cape and spotted owls, Swifts, Hornbills, and yellow necked swallows. Astounding.

A meander through the six-hectare property reveals bird-hides, little streams, a dam, unexpected gardens, secret hideaways, unbelievably lush vegetation, and outcrops of huge rocks festooned in moss. During a stiff walk along the road among the enormous forest trees clad in mosses, lichens and epiphytic orchids and lilies blooming on the forest floor you see glimpses of Blue Duiker and Bushbuck, indigenous to the forest but secretive and seldom seen. Large stands of banana-like Strelitzia nicolai blanket some of the sea-facing slopes, where red-hot pokers and Flame Lilies explode in colour.

The one thing that has no meaning in this paradise is time. But then again, time is the one thing you do need when you visit here. The seemingly sleepy village offers a myriad of things to do and see, such as a drive up the airstrip to a lookout point which is jealously kept secret by the locals, who only share it with a fortunate few. Here you sit down to sundowners with a bird's eye view of the vast ocean, the river far below, and the ancient hills and heads of Mt Thesiger and Mt Sullivan, the 'gates' of Port St Johns.

Facilities ( ■ Available, □ Not available)

Facilities on Premises Facilities in rooms
 
■ Off street parking □ Bath in room
□ Pool ■ Shower in room
■ BBQ Facilities □ Refrigerator
■ Dinner cooked on request ■ Television (Big screen in bar)
□ Laundry facility ■ Radio
□ Playground for children □ Air-conditioning
□ Conference facilities □ Fan
□ E-mail facilities □ Heater available
■ Transfers from/to the airport (PE) ■ Coffee / tea facilities
□ Accept credit cards □ Baby cot available
□ Facilities disabled people □ Safe available

 

 

Thea offers an optional 'extra' in the package, wherein she will share her private paradise, her clay house at the magnificent Umngazana swamps. This is a mind-boggling experience – the Indian Ocean, warm mermaid pools with cave dotted limestone rocks as silent witness to ships passing. Little wonder then that this area with its untamed beauty has become the preferred location for international film crews, of whom we met during our visit.

The giant red moon rising over the sea capped our stay with Thea, as we sat in the darkening night and listened to the night sounds, the rustles as the 'critters' settled for the night. Not so long ago night time was marked by traditional drum beating, and one can still imagine what it must have been like, this era long passed. Underlying are the ghosts of the ancient mariners, ships that floundered and wrecked, isiXhosa tribes who passed through the regions, wars fought and lost, a nation of survivors and their descendents, now living together in relative harmony.

Contact details :

Name: Wild Coast Kitchen
Contact person: Thea Lombard
Post address: PO Box Port St. Johns
Actual Address: R 61, 10 km before Port St. Johns
Tel.: + 27 (0) 83 395 4604
e-mail : WildCoastKitchen@telkomsa.net
Website : www.wildcoastkitchen.com

Route Description

From East London

N2 From East London to Mthatha. In Mthatha take the R 61 towards Port St. Johns. 10 km before Port St. Johns you'll see the sign Wild Coast Kitchen and you'll turn right. Now you only drive 1.2 km dirtroad up the mountain....

 

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Page last updated, 13 July 2010