For the longest time, we felt a quiet pull toward the Eastern Cape—a yearning to see, feel, and truly experience a part of South Africa often spoken of, but less often explored. Then one day, without much of a plan, we packed what we could and set off—drawn not just by landscapes, but by something deeper.
It’s true: the Eastern Cape is among the provinces with the highest unemployment in the country. And with that come challenges—poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited opportunities. In many of the remote areas we wandered through, you can sense the absence of sustained development and funding. But here’s the incredible part: that very rawness is what makes this province so profoundly beautiful.
What you find in the Eastern Cape isn’t manicured tourism or polished perfection. You find nature unfiltered, culture untouched, and communities living in ways that are deeply connected to land and tradition. There’s something sacred here. Something wild. Something real.
Our hearts were completely captured by the Wild Coast, especially the area around Coffee Bay. It was here that we met Sage—a strong, gentle soul who quickly became our guide, our companion, and eventually, our friend. Every day we spent with Sage was a doorway into a life so different from our own, yet instantly familiar in its warmth and spirit.
Sage is a qualified Public Relations graduate—articulate, gracious, and deeply rooted in his community. But like many here, job opportunities have remained just out of reach. It struck us deeply: how can someone with so much to offer be so easily overlooked?
And yet, Sage offered us everything.
He led us on a 9-kilometre hike across rolling green hills and took us harvesting oysters and mussels from the Indian Ocean, always mindful of preserving nature’s balance. He opened his home to us, shared his stories, and led us down dirt roads through villages to the most breathtaking beaches we’ve ever seen—places no map could have led us to, only lived experience.
This experience left us with more than memories. It left us with a responsibility. We want to be part of something bigger—something that supports people like Sage and honours the untouched magic of this land. Tourism here shouldn’t be about ‘consuming’ a destination. It should be about connection, co-creation, and community.
If you choose to explore the Eastern Cape—especially the Wild Coast—we wholeheartedly recommend doing so with the guidance and partnership of local people. Their knowledge, care, and stories are what make this place come alive.
The Xhosa people call this land the Motherland, and once you’re here, you understand why. You feel it in your bones—it is not ours to take, but to respect. As visitors, we believe our role is to listen, to honour, and to amplify local voices. That’s how we make sure the beauty of this province is shared without being lost.
So come. Come for the adventure, the wilderness, the open skies and hidden coves. But most importantly, come to meet the people. Let them show you their home.
Because once you’ve walked this land with someone like Sage, you’ll never want to leave it unchanged.
