Peter Ruddle (Drifters Wild Coast Manager)  
Cell: 083 604 0723

Drifters intends to include in its already diverse portfolio of eco-tourism products, the ultimate accommodated hiking trail and mountain bike trail along 65 kilometres of one of the most beautiful and un-spoilt coastlines in the world. Hikers and bikers will book the trail in exactly the same manner and as long as numbers do not exceed 24, they may well be mixed on any occasion.

Msikaba – will be the starting point of the trail. A 24 bedded tented camp with a thatched roof structure on a raised deck with 12 twin bedded en-suite rooms and a self-catering living area with communal basic kitchen amenities. Clients will be accommodated here on the day prior to starting the trail.

Luphuthana - will be the first overnight of the trail. We will complete the existing camp in a similar style, but merely make each tent en-suite and increase the camp to 24 beds. The existing kitchen and living area will need to be increased as well.

Cutwini – will be the second night of the trail. This camp needs to be built from scratch but will take the same style as the previous camps. This site is inland and will have to be built with this in mind.

Manteku – will be the third overnight of the trail. This stunning site is also half complete and will be completed in the same style with 12 twin bedded en-suite tented units as well as the general living and kitchen area.

Ntafufu – will be the fourth overnight stay. The original site allocated was unsuitable due to ecological problems and another suitable site in the vicinity has been allocated. Once again 12 twin bedded units will be constructed with a communal living and kitchen area.

Port St. Johns – The hike will then proceed to Post St Johns where the hikers will catch a ferry over the Umzimvubu River. They will then proceed to the Outspan Inn where they will overnight in comfort as the final night of their trail.

PORT GROSVENOR CAMP - NOW OPEN

The last remaining site of Grosvenor presents a slightly different scenario in that it is the odd one out as such. What we have in mind here is that this be the site that is developed with a self drive market in mind and also used by clients who just want a special spot on the coast to stay a few days and of course for tour companies that require an overnight stay on their itineraries. This camp would be slightly more comprehensive, providing linen and meals and accommodation would differ in that we would have to utilize the structures that are already half built. We envisage typical natural Pondoland style rondavels with en-suite bathrooms with a communal living and dining area. Meals would be either self catered or provided.

As Drifters is currently running scheduled weekly tours through the Wild Coast, we would immediately redirect this business through this camp. This camp has the best access and is too close to Luphuthana to be included in the hiking trail, so it is ideal for this purpose.
 

BACKGROUND

Drifters successfully out bid 39 other operators who submitted tenders to operate a hiking and mountain biking trail concession along the Pondoland Coast from Msikaba to Port St. Johns. This is a joint venture between Drifters and 5 local community trusts that are shareholders in the operating company. Our intentions are to run an eco friendly and simple efficient operation, albeit one requiring a complicated procedure to actually set up, and get it into a functional state.


BENEFITS TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE

This joint venture program with the local communities was initiated, planned and partially financed by the European Union over a period of four years. It is our understanding that there was great effort made to consult with many of the relevant stakeholders in this part of the world. Local people have been trained to operate these camps and have been exposed to the tourism industry by means of tours to other similar tourist destinations and tourism marketing events. Once in full operation we intend to employ up to a hundred local people in this operation, thus providing much needed employment opportunities in the area.

LEGALITY

All of the camps have had Environmental Impact Assessments passed by the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism. The same department has issued a Record of Decision so that building can commence on each site. A lease for each site has also been signed over to the respective community trusts for each area by the Department of Land Affairs.