Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast is truly unique. We stopped here during our tour through South Africa. Today we’re taking you on a wonderful hike to the famous Hole in the Wall in South Africa. As Henri Matisse so beautifully put it: “There are flowers everywhere for those who want to see them.” And so we often seek out paths into nature. We are simply inspired by beautiful landscapes, the fresh air, and the wonderful feeling of having “made it” after a few hours. Here you can see exactly what a miracle nature really is. And even the smallest hill, the most crooked tree, or the most crooked branch can be beautiful. It’s always in the eye of the beholder.

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Out in the forests, in the mountains, on the beaches, on the coast, or in the desert, you can breathe deeply. No hustle and bustle, no noise, no stress, and no obligations. You simply let yourself be carried away by the beauty. You linger in places that magically captivate you. Here, we draw new ideas, creativity, relaxation, and strength. And if you truly love nature, you’ll find beauty everywhere in the end, right?

The most beautiful stretch of coast in Africa

We were on the Wild Coast, more precisely in Coffee Bay. And here, everything was truly wild, rough, and, at first, quite uncomfortable. Nevertheless, Coffee Bay is truly a stunningly beautiful place—so untouched, with a long, expansive sandy beach. The green hills, the rocky coastline, deep blue lagoons, the fresh wind, and the high waves crashing against the rocks—all of this is Coffee Bay. And with a little luck, you might even spot dolphins and whales in the bay. The Wild Coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in all of Africa.

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To get to know the area even better, we took a beautiful walk to the Hole in the Wall in South Africa. The weather was completely on our side that day, so we were able to take a relaxed approach to the hike. The so-called “Hole in the Wall” is a striking boulder with a gap in the middle. There are many legends and stories about the “Hole in the Wall,” and one of them says that this hole in the boulder was the gateway to one’s ancestors. But this is just one version of the many myths.

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The hike is by no means difficult or strenuous—rather, it’s a path for connoisseurs. And so we hiked at a comfortable pace, always along the coast. We stopped again and again to absorb the moments and views. The fresh sea air was a balm for our lungs; we couldn’t get enough of it. Especially when we were used to at least 70% humidity in Asia. This fresh breeze was a welcome change.

Scenic Diversity at Coffee Bay

We strolled along the narrow paths, the vast blue sea always beside us. We could hear the waves crashing against the rocky shores. We looked out to sea, hoping to spot a whale or a dolphin. Perhaps it was too warm for them that day, and so we couldn’t see any sea creatures. The path went up and down, up and down.

Every now and then we passed small round huts belonging to the locals. Sometimes a cow would simply stand in the middle of the path. Everything was so simple, uncomplicated, and far away from everything. It felt good. Our gaze was always directed forward, thoughts buzzing through our heads. When hiking, you simply think of everything or nothing. Here, you have time—time for yourself and, above all, time for nature.

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You discover the many little things that you might not otherwise encounter. Whether it’s baby grasshoppers, giant locusts, or wild seabirds—when hiking, you perceive many things much more intensely. We meandered through the small villages, enjoyed the tranquility, and were impressed by the colors and rock formations. We agreed that this trail was our most beautiful yet.

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Hole in the Wall – The Boulder in the Sea

After almost 3 hours, we reached our destination. From afar, we saw this enormous boulder in the sea. The high waves crashed through the hole in the middle with full force. We sat down on some stones on the shore, leisurely ate a crisp apple, and held our feet in the air. We observed the surroundings, enjoyed the rugged landscape, and were simply content.

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The three hours flew by; the hike (10 km) didn’t seem that long. But out here in nature, you lose all sense of time. But does it even matter here? We don’t think so. We probably could have drifted much further. Since we had to be back at the hostel on time, we organized a transfer service in advance. And so we drove for about 20 minutes on the back of a pickup truck back to our accommodation.

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  • Tour: Hole in the Wall Trail at Coffee Bay (Wild Coast South Africa)
  • Cost: free! Pick-up service to Coffee Shack: 60 Rand per person (4 Euros)
  • Accommodation: Coffee Shack Hostel*
  • Hike level: easy going without much effort
  • Alternative: guided tours to the Hole in the Wall with lunch and guide (80 Rand)
  • Hostel: Coffee Shack Backpackers (Dorms 150 ZAR pp, private rooms from 170 ZAR pp)
  • Don’t forget: sunscreen, snacks, drinks

Book a cool tour through South Africa here or take excursions in the surrounding area. You’ll find a variety of offers at Get Your Guide.