Wild Child Africa

Name: Wild Child Africa
Address: Nottingham Road, Nottingham Road, 3280, ZA
Telephone: +27836414399
Rating: 5

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Wild Child Africa

• The Pondo Trail®️ • Annual trail running event • The Kosi Turtle Experience
(1)

23/01/2025

🫶 Kosi Experience 🫶

www.wildchildafrica.com

17/01/2025

Step into the untamed beauty of the Pondo Trail. Miles of pristine coastline, exhilarating trails, and rich cultural encounters await. This is where adventure meets the soul of Pondoland. Are you ready to answer the call of the wild?

📷:

14/01/2025

Trail runners from across South Africa (and a few from further afield) will descend on Pondoland in May for the 6th edition of the Pondo Trail Run hosted by Wild Child Africa. An epic way to explore Pondoland’s wild coastline and give back to its vibrant community.

Our Pondo Coaster is already sold out, but a handful of team spots remain for the Pondo Ultra. Don’t wait—make this the year you conquer this bucket-list adventure! Enter online now.

www.pondo.co.za

10/01/2025

Introducing Wild Child Guide Emma Beckingham.

Em joined the Wild Child team in January 2023, and she’s been lighting up the trails ever since! Guests who’ve adventured with her rave about her boundless energy, infectious enthusiasm, and deep-rooted love for Pondoland—the place she proudly calls her childhood home. As a fourth-generation Pondo, Em loves nothing more than sharing stories of growing up in this wild and wonderful corner of the world.

Often seen guiding alongside her hubby, Jet, she is a true force of nature. Em loves being barefoot, having waterfall showers, and helping guests conquer their fears. Dislikes? Goodbyes, an empty wine glass, and finding a squashed banana in her backpack.

When she’s not leading the way on the trails, you’ll find her dreaming up new designs for Kinkin, her clothing brand, which has created some stunning merch for our Wild Child guests.

We are grateful for you Em!

08/01/2025

There’s nothing ordinary about Wild Child Africa. Our trails are a celebration of wild spaces, local heritage, and unforgettable moments. Every experience, every product, every step you take with us is rooted in conservation, community, and the unrelenting pursuit of adventure. Here’s to exploring deeper, treading lighter, and living wilder.

Here’s to another epic year on trail with our guests 💪

11/12/2024

Witness one of nature’s greatest wonders at Bhanga Nek, Africa’s most abundant turtle nesting site. Join our Wild Child team and expert guides for a moonlit walk along untouched beaches, where Leatherbacks and Loggerheads come ashore to nest.

Depending on the season, you’ll marvel at the big females laying their eggs or watch tiny hatchlings take their first brave steps towards the ocean. A truly magical experience awaits.

05/12/2024

Meet Captain Chris Vaughan Jones. Known as “Ingonyama” (Male Lion) for his wild mane, Chris is a fourth-generation Pondo with saltwater in his veins. Before joining Wild Child in 2022, he roamed the globe in search of the best spearfishing spots. Now, he’s proudly flying the Wild Child flag.

But don’t think “settling down” has slowed him down! When Chris isn’t guiding trails or skippering boats, he’s back on the paths with his barefoot family—his wife, Hannah, and their four kids under four—fostering a love for the Wild Coast in the fifth generation of Vaughn Jones explorers.

Chris likes secret swim spots on hot days, working barefoot and bare-chested, and being immersed in God’s beautiful creation. Dislikes? North Easterlies and having to cancel boat launches.

If you’ve been lucky enough to take a boat trip with Chris, you know his passion for this coastline is contagious, and he carries the pride of enjoying the same untouched wilderness his great-grandfather did.

29/11/2024

Step away from the hustle and dive into four unforgettable days in Kosi Bay. Snorkel protected reefs, wander untouched beaches, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of this World Heritage Site. Ready for adventure? Head to our website to snag the last spots for 2025.

27/11/2024

25/11/2024

Unspoiled beaches, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, and stories as old as time—this is the Pondo Trail. It’s not just a hike; it’s a spiritual journey along one of South Africa’s most treasured coastlines.

Barefoot luxury and untamed adventure. Join us and let the Wild Coast call to your wild heart.

21/11/2024

Many guests who have traversed our Pondo Trail wished they had more time to explore the stunning surroundings of our camps. Now, you can enjoy the beauty and adventure of Msikaba, Luphuthana, and Manteku at your own pace, throughout the year, including peak holiday periods in December. Due to a last minute cancellation, we have opened up some dates for booking of individual units at Msikaba this year.

Please e-mail [email protected] for more info.

18/11/2024

Scott joined the Wild Child crew in April 2023 and holds the honour of guiding more trips than anyone else on the Wild Child team in 2024!

Growing up in the foothills of Lesotho, he is no stranger to adventure. For Scotty, guiding is more than a job—it’s a way of life. Scotty likes fishing, biltong, good music and Viking women. He dislikes cell phone signal, traffic and forgetting the rolls behind for a Pondo picnic.

When he’s not on trail, he’s most likely in a boat and has completed 8 Dusi Canoe marathons, finishing 1st in the U23 category and 5th overall in his last race.

If you’re lucky enough to hit the trails with Scott, you’ll quickly see why he feels right at home in the great outdoors.

15/11/2024

Our Kosi Experience is based out of the breath-taking Kosi Forest Lodge, creating a partnership that combines a luxurious stay with many of our signature Wild Child Africa surprises and experiences.

Each day, you’ll roll into camp salty, sweaty, and utterly exhilarated.

We’ve spent time exploring every corner of the Kosi area to craft a wilderness journey that captures the very best of this paradise.

Wild, remote, pristine, adventure, and lots and lots of laughs – wanna join us?

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12/11/2024

Tim Botha is Wild Child’s other director, guide, host and Matt’s (slightly) more sensible, (slightly) older brother.

Following a long career in education, culminating in 8 years as a Headmaster, Tim left to pursue his dream of teaming up with his younger brother Matt, on their Wild Child Adventure. Tim has explored the jungles of Cameroon, the deserts of Angola (including its infamous “death mile”) and the glaciers of Antarctica. He has guided in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Kenya, and fished virtually every piece of African water south of the equator. His many travels and adventures make him perfect host to ignite your passion for Africa and entertain you with stories about some of its charms.

Tim likes fishing, fishing, fishing and fishing. His pet peeve is not being able to fish.

Tim is passionate about leadership and we are certainly grateful for his guidance at Wild Child Africa HQ.

04/11/2024

The ‘Red deserts’ in Northern Pondoland are somewhat of a mystery.

Early theory suggested that they were areas where Shaka Zulu’s Impi had gathered vast herds of stolen Mpondo cattle before driving them North, but more recent findings suggest that these areas are totally natural.

The sand contains such a high level of minerals which prohibits plant growth. In turn, the exposed sand is vulnerable to erosion which then creates these spectacular formations.

Address

Nottingham Road
Nottingham Road
3280

Telephone

+27836414399

Website

http://wildchildafrica.com/

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Videos

As we venture through the Umdoni Forest on Day 2 of our Pondo Trail, we find a little extra magic at this time of year. Behold the stunning Snake Lilies—also known as Scadoxus puniceus or ‘paintbrush’ Lilies—with their vibrant red-orange blooms that entice sunbirds and weavers to feast on their nectar. Though the bulbs are poisonous, this remarkable plant is widely used in traditional remedies for gastrointestinal issues and is among the most traded medicinal plants in South Africa. There is no greater joy than revealing hidden gems like these to our Pondo Trail guests. #wildchildafrica #pondotrail

The fortunate few who’ve traversed the Wild Coast with one of our Wild Child guides can speak to how they are able to unlock the hidden marvels of Pondoland, revealing the true magic of this enchanting place. Take, for instance, this extraordinary moment captured by @keithnadauld . Witness the mesmerizing sight of thousands of juvenile Varuna litterata, commonly known as river crabs, as they hatch and begin their remarkable journey downstream to the ocean. #wildchildafrica #pondotrail #chasingwaterfalls #wildcoast

Miles of desolate beaches, virgin dune forests, bountiful coral reefs, mangrove swamps and rare raffia palm forests set the scene for exploration and adventure- Wild Child Style. The nesting and subsequent hatching of the turtles is a natural phenomenon comparable to the greatest wildlife experiences in Africa. Bookings are open for Oct - Dec for our Kosi Turtle Experience. E-mail [email protected] to secure your spot or head to our website for more info.

The rugged beauty of the magestic Wild Coast never fails to move us, no matter how much time we spend here. But don’t take our word for it, come and see for yourself. #wildcoast #pondotrail #wildchildafrica #satourism

Wait till the babies at the end 🥹 It is pure magic getting to experience the life cycle of Kosi Bay’s turtle population. This protected stretch of beach has resulted in what’s referred to as “the golden mile”. A hot-spot of turtle activity as turtles return to lay their eggs on the very same beach where they hatched some 30 years before. We only have 6 slots left for 2024 for our Kosi Bay Turtle Experience. So, get a group of mates together and join us for the adventure of a lifetime. Head to the website for more info. #kosibay #wildchildafrica #turtles

What a beautiful day in Pondoland! ☀️🌊⛰️ #thepondotrail #pondo #wildchild #slackpacking #slackpackingsa

It's not just a hike ... it's an experience. Time spent in the outdoors, fireside stories, beautiful landscapes, swimming beneath waterfalls... meeting special people, connecting with friends & family, living in the moment, intentionally slowing down from our fast-paced lives ... and CONQUERING FEARS 👏 👏 👏 Pondoland changes you 🧡

PONDO • PEOPLE • PLANET @pondotrailrun

Please enjoy the 2023 PONDO Trail Run perfectly captured in a nutshell! Limited entries for the 2024 event open on 14th Aug at 10h00 sharp! www.thepondo.co.za

We love our job We love our guides We love our challenges We love our country #bewildbefree #wildchildafrica

Shortcuts

Be Wild, Be Free

Wild Child Africa was born out of the unquenchable thirst for adventure of two brothers and their young families, a pure love of nature and the outdoors and a humble effort to live a simple, purposeful and meaningful life.

Matt is no stranger to exploration and adventure having embarked on and led many trips into and around Africa and Antarctica. His love for wildlife and conservation, combined with his knowledge and passion for Africa and particularly the Wild Coast, makes him the perfect adventure companion.

Cam, campfire cuisine extraordinaire and camp manager, is responsible for ensuring the comforts of camp life after every day’s adventure and making the magic at mealtimes. Cam’s knowledge of South Africa’s coastline, having walked the entire 3000km of it from Namibia to Mozambique, combined with her dazzling culinary and 4x4 skills, equip her as the ultimate Pondo ground crew leader where logistical challenges are met on an hourly basis.

Tim, having spent 20 years in education, eight of which as a Headmaster, and having explored the jungles of Cameroon and the glaciers of Antarctica, guided in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Kenya, and fished virtually every piece of African water south of the equator, is the perfect host to ignite your passion for Africa and entertain you with stories about some of its charms. Tim is passionate about leadership and he has lectured on this topic to various audiences over the past few years.