The second activity is to visit the Collywobbles Cape Vulture Colony . The Cape vulture is the largest raptor in South Africa and is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature , making it one of the most exciting species to spot .
On average , you will spot about 200 individuals across 13 separate cliffs where they build their nests , particularly on Main , mSikiti and Ledger cliffs . The vultures use the rural grasslands and woodland south of Mthatha but rely on the high cliffs for breeding . A visit to the vulture colony is said to be best done en route to the Wild Coast or Dwesa Cebe Nature Reserve from Mthatha .
Whether you plan to visit the viewpoint and / or the vulture colony , ensure you have detailed directions , as the route can be tricky .
Coffee Bay
It is said that one cannot say one visited the Eastern Cape if one did not visit Coffee Bay and its famous Hole in the Wall .
Coffee Bay is about 70 km east of Elliotdale on the Wild Coast . The Hole in the Wall is 8 km due south of Coffee Bay at the mouth of the Mpako River . One can access this by road , but only if using a 4X4 . One can , however , hike to the site , starting on the beach at Coffee Bay .
Ecca shale and sandstone , capped with hard volcanic dolerite , make up the formation . In the Xhosa language , this area is called esiKhaleni , which means “ the place of sound ”.
According to South African Tourism , this is because some say that – under certain conditions – the waves slap the rocks with a resounding cracking sound while it roars during storms . Others say it refers to a Xhosa legend involving a young maiden who fell in love with one of the mythical “ sea people ”.
According to legend , the sea person loved the maiden so much that he and his people rammed a hole in the side of a lagoon wall with the help of a huge fish to reach her . She was never heard from again . In this version , the voices and singing of the sea people give the name esiKhaleni .
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