Guest Blog time: Claire Fraser who handles much of the social media and image distribution for Africa Imagery recently took a well deserved break and headed off to the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape and stayed at Buccaneers Backpackers.
Nestled in the beautiful bush and beach coves of Chintsa in the Eastern Cape, Buccaneers Backpackers and Lodge offers the ultimate beach holiday. Endless beaches, friendly people and excellent prices make this a wonderful holiday destination. After a long journey from the KZN Midlands, we were ushered into our cottage by the friendly staff who, without our knowing it at first, had added us to the Buccaneers community for our scheduled one week stay.
View from Buccaneers Backpackers Cottages
The colourful cottages have stunning views over the tented accommodation towards the sea and white beaches that the Wild Coast is renowned for. This was to be our home for two nights, after which we were to move into a communal house (closer to the beach, and with its own ablutions). Buccaneers is a hub of foreign tourists and any fears of who our
Deck of Buccaneers Backpackers Cottages
housemates were going to be were alleviated when we were introduced to a lovely couple from Cape Town – people who undeniably added to the enjoyment of our holiday.
A short trek to reception on our first day made us realise that this idyllic beach retreat was brimming with activity. We are the kind of holidaymakers who are content with reading, sleeping and fishing, and we were undisturbed in our reverie. For those who need the distraction of fast-paced fun, Buccaneers is more than accommodating. Their daily schedule is packed with horse riding; kite surfing and traditional surfing lessons, kayaking in the estuary, lunch time volley ball and a host of games. It is a party-goers haven (if you want it to be) with a famed pub playing host to themed nights that engage people from all over the world.
On our first night there, we decided to abandon the self-catering facilities of our temporary home and signed up for the supper. As locals, it seemed quite highly priced, but the meal was homemade and delicious with all of the attention to detail one would expect from a restaurant – well worth every penny. It also presented the perfect
View from the beach to Buccaneers Backpackers Cottages
opportunity to brush shoulders with some of the Buccaneers visitors, and there was a spirit of elation as we chatted to hardened world travellers. There was a commonality between us all – an appreciation of this place that whisked away our stress and enveloped us in its sense of peace.
Accommodation: Choose what you would prefer – a tent, a private cottage, or a house. There are advantages and disadvantages to all types (we loved our cottage, but wish it had its own bathroom, for instance), but if you book the right type according to your needs, you won’t be disappointed. Considering Buccaneers is such a magnet for foreign tourists, we were pleasantly surprised at the reasonable price in relation to the high quality.
Facilities: The pub was festive, the dining room cosy, and they certainly have all of the amenities to make for a memorable stay. There is a communal kitchen for those not staying in the houses, with an adjoining lounge area and also a maid service, with friendly locals forming a valued part of the Buccaneers family.
Activities: As mentioned above, there are a broad range of activities for all.
Other: Buccaneers is proudly a Fair Trade business, and guests are assured that their staff are treated fairly and in a spirit of sustainable development in the area, as well as environmental policies that will help to conserve this precious tract of land in South Africa.
Visit their web site for more information and bookings: http://www.cintsa.com
And talking of travel, we have thousands of photographs of Africa for use in magazines, books, advertisements and web sites. Visit Africa Imagery for more information.
