Hike, Kayak and Wild Swim South Africa

On trips departing in 2026, an extra day will be inserted into the itinerary after Day 5 (making the trip one day longer). On Day 6, you'll have a leisurely day at Zingela Camp, as per the itinerary and with all meals included. You'll then spend a third night at Zingela Camp before heading to the coast on Day 7.

This makes the trip 10 nights instead of 9 nights. Dates on the website are correct and make the allowance for the extra night.

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.

This trip visits locations at or above 2500m, where some people may experience symptoms of Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

Previous experience at altitude doesn’t guarantee the same response again – your body can react differently on each trip. However, having been at altitude before is still valuable: it gives you a better understanding of how your body might respond, what symptoms to look out for, and how to manage your pace and energy levels.

Your guide is trained to manage the risk of altitude sickness by controlling the rate of ascent, monitoring group wellbeing, and responding appropriately if anyone feels unwell.

Before booking, we recommend considering your personal health, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions, and consulting a medical professional if you’re unsure. Arriving early to allow your body to acclimatise can also make a big difference.

Your travel insurance must cover the maximum altitude reached on this trip and include emergency evacuation.

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.

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.