Protea Ridge

ALL INCLUSIVE PROTEA RIDGE 3, 4 OR 5 NIGHT “PONDOLAND PACKAGE” GETAWAYS

This is perhaps the best way to stay at Protea Ridge. Experience the beautiful, desolate, awe-inspiring and totally unique piece of South Africa for 3,4,5 night “all inclusive” packages  and have all your food, drink and daily activities needs taken care of. Take in the culture of Pondoland and hike the hills, valleys and coastline of the Wild Coast by day in the company of local guides and return to the comforts of Protea Ridge by night for scrumptious, unforgettable meals with fun and laughter!  Take your Time! 

PONDOLAND PACKAGES 

Price per person – POR – all inclusive 

What you get –  remembering that no two “Pondoland Packages” are the same, and always take into account, time of year, moon phases, sunrise and sunset times, tide times, spring low/high tides, size of group, wind direction and other weather conditions.

Pondoland is a remote and far-flung destination. The roads are poor and depending on the weather can become almost impassable, even with a fancy 4×4. With this in mind the Pondoland Package takes into account the current weather conditions and plan your day and stay accordingly. You will not be disappointed.

Spring tides are traditionally a time when the local Pondo People are out and about on the rocks, collecting  shellfish, mussels, oysters, crayfish, octopus etc The extra low water (combined with calm seas) allows one to spend  that a little extra time at the waters edge as you discover the incredible colors and rock pools, normally submerged and only accessible on spring low tides. This is a great time to be along the coastline, for example and will afford you photographic opportunities not found outside of these unique spring tide occasions.

Depending on wind direction and weather, days will be spent hiking (see hiking routes) any one of a number of trails accessible from Protea Ridge. 

The Pondoland Packages will include at least one or two, long and full day “slack-pack” guided hiking trails. Depending on weather conditions and how long your stay is, one could expect a day hike into Mkhambati or a day trip to Waterfall Bluff and Cathedral Rock or a day trip to Mboytji and the Magwa Falls.  Whilst one can meander for hours along the coastal goat paths in barefoot, it is recommended to bring you hiking or trail shoes for these excursions. Pack meals will be included. Carry a day bag and a towel because swimming in rivers and (tide and sea conditions depending) ocean rock pools is a given. A useful extra to bring from home are your goggles and snorkel. 

A light rain coat or wind cheater jacket is recommended too. Don’t forget your camera!

Sundowners of non alcoholic beverages or ice cold lager or a pink gin and tonic with cheese board and snacks of crayfish and a fire, end your day in this unforgettable paradise on the edge of Africa. 

Evenings are spent roaming the Protea Ridge gardens with its rock pools, solar powered night-lights and cacophony of sounds from insects, frogs and crickets. Take a dip in the river or piping hot shower, put on some clean clothes and your slippers, & prepare for a communal supper around the “boardroom table”, where everyone will delight in sharing moments from the days awesome and unforgettable adventures. The meals at Protea Ridge will be a memorable feature of your stay and you will eat some fantastic meals whist here. Whilst we do love meat and cook it in a variety of ways we also cater for the non-meat eaters. Home-made bread is baked daily and with large dollops of butter and strawberry or apricot jam you will need to carefully leave space for your main course! Fruit and vegetables in season are traded with the locals and enjoyed at Protea Ridge. Steamed or fire roasted, locally grown sweet potatoes, dipped into butter and eaten in the fingers are just one of our specialty snacks enjoyed here. Crayfish and green curry on steamed rice or with pasta bow-ties will leave you “converted”! Any kids along will enjoy their own separate evening entertainment lounge with vast DVD collection, pool table and other board games on offer, giving adults a chance to “chew the cud” whilst the younger generation enjoy their evening in their own lounge and dormitory style, large thatched roof hut. Cultural singing and dancing, performed by Community Members on at least one evening of your stay are part of the proceedings. Prepare to taste local “umqumbuthi” beer tonight and be ready eat a traditional “Pondo” meal of chicken, pumpkin, umngqushu, carrots, cabbage and potatoes. You have arrived! 

Breakfasts are informal times at Protea Ridge and spent quietly taking in the morning with muesli and the option of toast and scrambled eggs eaten in the hand or at any of the multitude of seating areas dotted around the vast gardens. Depending on the plans for the day ahead, an early morning sunrise hike to the Vulture Colony nearby or sunrise Msikaba River canoe paddle, or hike to the Mbaxene Gorge lookout point, may start your day and then return to base for a later brunch style breakfast before heading out for another adventure. 

Help yourself to “bottomless” tea and coffee at the “tea-boat” in the main house. 

Paddling the Msikaba River, swimming the vast white sandy beaches or snorkeling on “the island” are all activities over and above the incredible hiking trails which one can expect to do as part of the “one and only” Pondoland “all inclusive” Packages on offer. 

Shuttles in and out can be arranged but need to be taken care of and confirmed in advance.

Important Note

PLEASE BE AWARE

Municipal services do not reach far down into the rural areas. With this in mind please remember:

All water at Protea Ridge is either harvested during rainy days for drinking, or pumped from the borehole to the concrete reservoir for kitchens, bathrooms and showers. Please use water sparingly and considerately.

Littering is not tolerated at Protea Ridge. Use the bins provided.

Stow it, don’t throw it.

Protea Ridge is serviced by Eskom but only has limited generator power for emergencies and for keeping deep freezers cold. Always bring a torch as management has no control over the Eskom power supply. Candles and/or small solar lights are provided. 

ALL INCLUSIVE PROTEA RIDGE 3, 4 OR 5 NIGHT “PONDOLAND PACKAGE” GETAWAYS

This is perhaps the best way to stay at Protea Ridge. Experience the beautiful, desolate, awe-inspiring and totally unique piece of South Africa for 3,4,5 night “all inclusive” packages  and have all your food, drink and daily activities needs taken care of. Take in the culture of Pondoland and hike the hills, valleys and coastline of the Wild Coast by day in the company of local guides and return to the comforts of Protea Ridge by night for scrumptious, unforgettable meals with fun and laughter!  Take your Time! 

PONDOLAND PACKAGES 

Price per person – POR – all inclusive 

What you get –  remembering that no two “Pondoland Packages” are the same, and always take into account, time of year, moon phases, sunrise and sunset times, tide times, spring low/high tides, size of group, wind direction and other weather conditions.

Pondoland is a remote and far-flung destination. The roads are poor and depending on the weather can become almost impassable, even with a fancy 4×4. With this in mind the Pondoland Package takes into account the current weather conditions and plan your day and stay accordingly. You will not be disappointed.

Spring tides are traditionally a time when the local Pondo People are out and about on the rocks, collecting  shellfish, mussels, oysters, crayfish, octopus etc The extra low water (combined with calm seas) allows one to spend  that a little extra time at the waters edge as you discover the incredible colors and rock pools, normally submerged and only accessible on spring low tides. This is a great time to be along the coastline, for example and will afford you photographic opportunities not found outside of these unique spring tide occasions.

Depending on wind direction and weather, days will be spent hiking (see hiking routes and other activities) any one of a number of trails accessible from Protea Ridge. 

The Pondoland Packages will include at least one or two, long and full day “slack-pack” guided hiking trails. Depending on weather conditions and how long your stay is, one could expect a day hike into Mkhambati or a day trip to Waterfall Bluff and Cathedral Rock or a day trip to Mboytji and the Magwa Falls.  Whilst one can meander for hours along the coastal goat paths in barefoot, it is recommended to bring you hiking or trail shoes for these excursions. Pack meals will be included. Carry a day bag and a towel because swimming in rivers and (tide and sea conditions depending) ocean rock pools is a given. A useful extra to bring from home are your goggles and snorkel. A light rain coat or wind cheater jacket is recommended too. Don’t forget your camera!

Sundowners of non alcoholic beverages or ice cold lager or a pink gin and tonic with cheese board and snacks of crayfish and a fire, end your day in this unforgettable paradise on the edge of Africa. 

Evenings are spent roaming the Protea Ridge gardens with its rock pools, solar powered night-lights and cacophony of sounds from insects, frogs and crickets. Take a dip in the river or piping hot shower, put on some clean clothes and your slippers, & prepare for a communal supper around the “boardroom table”, where everyone will delight in sharing moments from the days awesome and unforgettable adventures. The meals at Protea Ridge will be a memorable feature of your stay and you will eat some fantastic meals whist here. Whilst we do love meat and cook it in a variety of ways we also cater for the non-meat eaters. Home-made bread is baked daily and with large dollops of butter and strawberry or apricot jam you will need to carefully leave space for your main course! Fruit and vegetables in season are traded with the locals and enjoyed at Protea Ridge. Steamed or fire roasted, locally grown sweet potatoes, dipped into butter and eaten in the fingers are just one of our specialty snacks enjoyed here. Crayfish and green curry on steamed rice or with pasta bow-ties will leave you “converted”! Any kids along will enjoy their own separate evening entertainment lounge with vast DVD collection, pool table and other board games on offer, giving adults a chance to “chew the cud” whilst the younger generation enjoy their evening in their own lounge and dormitory style, large thatched roof hut. Cultural singing and dancing, performed by Community Members on at least one evening of your stay are part of the proceedings. Prepare to taste local “umqumbuthi” beer tonight and be ready eat a traditional “Pondo” meal of chicken, pumpkin, umngqushu, carrots, cabbage and potatoes. You have arrived!

Breakfasts are informal times at Protea Ridge and spent quietly taking in the morning with muesli and the option of toast and scrambled eggs eaten in the hand or at any of the multitude of seating areas dotted around the vast gardens. Depending on the plans for the day ahead, an early morning sunrise hike to the Vulture Colony nearby or sunrise Msikaba River canoe paddle, or hike to the Mbaxene Gorge lookout point, may start your day and then return to base for a later brunch style breakfast before heading out for another adventure. Help yourself to “bottomless” tea and coffee at the “tea-boat” in the main house.

Paddling the Msikaba River, swimming the vast white sandy beaches or snorkeling on “the island” are all activities over and above the incredible hiking trails which one can expect to do as part of the “one and only” Pondoland “all inclusive” Packages on offer.

Shuttles in and out can be arranged but need to be taken care of and confirmed in advance.

Important Note

PLEASE BE AWARE

Municipal services do not reach far down into the rural areas. With this in mind please remember:

All water at Protea Ridge is either harvested during rainy days for drinking, or pumped from the borehole to the concrete reservoir for kitchens, bathrooms and showers. Please use water sparingly and considerately.

Littering is not tolerated at Protea Ridge. Use the bins provided.

Stow it, don’t throw it.

Protea Ridge is serviced by Eskom but only has limited generator power for emergencies and for keeping deep freezers cold. Always bring a torch as management has no control over the Eskom power supply. Candles and/or small solar lights are provided.