SOUTH AFRICA OUTDOORS

Wild Coast Holidays is a private family-owned reservation office that was established in the early 1980's to assist the Wild Coast resorts in communicating with clients, as their own infrastructure was so poor, and telecommunications unreliable.  

In May of 1996, Wild Coast Holidays was purchased by mother and daughter Nita and Helen Ross, in 2000, son William Ross joined the family business. They are still the current owners and have built the agency into a major force in tourism in the Eastern Cape. Buying a small tourism business was, at first, deemed to be a simple way to provide employment for the family. It was a very small enterprise, and was a great challenge to grow it into a sustainable business.  

The agency specialises in the Wild Coast resorts, visiting them on a regular basis, therefore allowing Nita and Helen to offer advice based on their own experiences. They keep up to date information on improvements, facilities offered and road conditions. Their reservation service is fast, friendly and free of charge. 

Wild Coast Holidays have since expanded their coverage to include most of the Eastern Cape, Game Reserves, Mountain Retreats, permanent accommodation, conferences, and the all popular getaways along the Wild Coast 

In the latter part of 1997 Wild Coast Holidays became involved in booking hiking trails. They developed the first ever hotel hiking trail in South Africa. They now have five on the Wild Coast. They greatly enjoy developing these hiking holidays as they know they are bringing tourists and holiday makers back to nature, hence doing their bit to encourage eco-tourism. 

First the Strandloper Trail, and then a major leap forward came with the launch of the Wild Coast Meander in 1998.

The Meander is a hotel hiking trail along the Wild Coast which was investigated, developed and is marketed by Nita, an experienced hiker, who gained her knowledge from hiking the Wild Coast and other destinations throughout the 80's. 

In 2000, Wild Coast Holidays launched another hiking trail, the Amble.

This trail allows hikers to follow the route of the Strandloper but offers accommodation on either a full board basis or self-catering, but in unique settings (not overnight huts).

Hikers are also offered a full luggage transfer on this Trail.

When the Mbotyi River Lodge re opened in 2001 they started the Pondo Land trail and in 2005 they launched the Hole in the Wall trail so now they cover northern, central and southern sections of the Wild Coast.