Pondo 4-Day Trail Run

Information

The Pondo Drifter 4 day Trail run (5 nights) is fully catered TRAIL RUN in PONDOLAND, the Northern Transkei from Msikaba towards Port St Johns where you will run 74km over 4 days in an unspoiled area of the Eastern Cape. Stay at a lodge each night, except one night at a luxury tented camp, with your own en-suite bathroom each night.

We will transport your bags to our remote venues, organise all the meals and make sure there is nice cold beers at the venue each day while you just run, relax and take in the beauty of Pondoland.

The untamed Transkei is located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and lies just outside of East London. It is an almost forgotten part of the country that seems to function at its own pace and without modern day influences. Many tourists and locals visit the Transkei as it provides a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the country.
One of the sites on the way to the start is the Cape Vulture Colony just above Msikaba. Despite the extent of subsistence farmland in Africa, little is known about endangered species that persist within them. The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) is regionally endangered in southern Africa and at least 20% of the population breeds in the subsistence farmland area previously known as the Transkei in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Why you should do the Trail Run with Trisport

• We are proud to say that we have been doing tours, trail runs, hiking and MTB tours for more than 10 years, in Pondoland, Transkei;
• On our tours, we stay at the most comfortable establishments possible;
• On this tour, you will only stay 1 night in a tented chalet, the other 4 nights you will stay at 3-start lodges;
• Our tours have a least 1 local qualified guide to run, hike or MTB with you; and
• Our tours are hosted by Sonja and Hano Otto, or another Trisport members, to handle all your gear, massages, rooms, catering, etc.

Date

25-30 April 2023

For Customized Dates (minimum 7 people), contact Sonja sonja@trisport.co.za

Venue

Pondoland, Transkei

Cost

R9,900.00 per person sharing
R11,900.00 per person single

Customized Dates : R12,900.00 sharing / R14,900.00 single.

Entries Available

Limited to 20 entries

Entry Includes

• Seeing 2 of the 7 waterfalls in the world that falls directly into the sea;
• Seeing Cathedral Rock and many other amazing sights;
• 4 Days of unforgettable adventure along the Wild Coast;
• 5 Nights accommodation;
• All meals from breakfast day 2 to lunch day 5;
• Local Guides;
• Safe parking at Port St Johns;
• Transport from Port St Johns to Msikaba with a Taxi, to the start;
• Sight seeing at the amazing Cape Vulture Colony (more than 100 birds) on the way to Msikaba;
• Transport of your gear to overnight venues;
• Daily sun-downer treats;
• Medical and Emergency services; and
• Generosity and great atmosphere.

Entry Excludes

• Transport to and from Port St Johns, Transkei, Eastern Cape;
• Guide tips;
• Alcoholic Drinks;
• Dinner day 1 and 5 and breakfast on departure day 6
• Massage at Mbotyi River Lodge;
• Optional 4 hour Ocean Safari the day after the run for R1200; and
• Any other extras

Highlights

• See the deepest Estuary in South Africa, Msikaba;
• See 2 of the 7 waterfalls in the world that fall directly into the sea;
• See the spectacular Cathedral Rock on route;
• Experience the birth place of Nelson Mandela, walk on cattle tracks above the cliffs;
• Experience the culture of the Xhosa when walking through the friendly villages along the way;
• Vulture colonies of more than 100 Cape white back vultures;
• Secluded Beaches with cattle;
• Seas that crash against the cliffs;

Compulsory Gear

As a precaution, we would like you to carry the following compulsory equipment with you during the run. It is for your own personal safety. Please adhere to the following:

• Cell phone;
• Zip Loock bag to keep phone dry;
• Space blanket;
• Backpack;
• Long Thermal base layer (pants and top);
• Whistle;
• Hat;
• Emergency food;
• Headlamp;
• Water bottles;
• Sunscreen (SPF50);
• Outer shell jacket (waterproof); and
• First aid kit.
  
  

Route Information

Day 1
Arrive at Port St Johns – Cremorne Estate

Day 2
9km. Msikaba to Lambazi.
Flat with no elevation, on cattle tracks and short beach sections.

Day 3
26km. Lambazi to Mbotyi.
Leg 1 – 9km. Flat with little elevation, waves crashing against the rocks at Lupithana and top hat.
Leg 2 – 16km. 4km flat, 8km rolling hills and cliff paths,
followed by beach section. Waterfalls falling into the sea, Cathedral rock, waterfall bluff, lots of pools, long 5km beach sections.

Day 4
18km. Mbotyi to Ntafufu
Leg 1 – 9km. Steep grassy hills with amazing views and river crossing, short beach sections.
Leg 2 – 9km. Steep grassy hills with amazing views and one river crossing, short beach sections.

Day 5
13km. Ntafufu to Port St Johns
One steep hill, followed by rolling hills and 4km flat beach section to the lodge

Programme

Tuesday
14:00 Arrival at Port St Johns, check in at Cremorne Estate
19:00 Welcome and Dinner at Cremorne Estate (own cost)

Wednesday
08:00 Drive to Msikaba by taxi, leave your car at Spotted Grunter. See the amazing Cape Vulture Colony on route.
11:00 Start of Run at Msikaba village, hike along the coastline on cattle tracks, see the dolphins playing, smell the fresh sea air.
14:00 Lunch and check in at Lambazi Lodge, chill and enjoy the view and the sound of the waves while you have a nice cold beer.
18:00 Dinner at Lambazi Lodge.

Thursday
07:00 Breakfast at Lambazi Lodge
08:00 Run from Lambazi Lodge to Mbotyi, see the waves crashing at Lupithana, see cathedral rock, see the waterfalls falling directly into the sea, lots of pools to swim in, coffee and snacks along the way.
11:00 Lunch on route (packed lunch).
15:00 Arrive at Mbotyi and cool off in the pool, enjou a cold beer. Massages (pre-bookings only).
18:00 Dinner at Mbotyi.

Friday
08:00 Breakfast at Mbotyi.
09:00 Run from Mbotyi to Ntafufu via Manteku, enjoy the great grassy paths that lead you to amazing views over the sea.
11:00 Lunch on route (packed lunch).
14:00 Arrive at Ntafufu Tented Chalets.
18:00 Dinner at Ntafufu.

Saturday
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Run from Ntafufu to Cremorne Estate Port St Johns.
13:00 Light lunch at Cremorne Estate
18:00 Dinner at Cremorne Estate (own cost)

Sunday
07:00 Ocean Safari Tour (optional extra – please pre-book).
08:00 Breakfast and Goodbyes.

Ocean Safari Tour (optional extra)
Experience the thrill of a launch through the waves out of the Umzimvubu River Mouth into the Indian Ocean. Experience the magnificent sights and views the ocean has to offer. Ocean trips range from 2 hours to full day and includes trips to Brazen head or Waterfall Bluff.

R6,000.00 per person (2 Days/ 2 Nights)