Things to do in Chintsa, South Africa
At our hostel we have some of the best activities that South Africa has to offer, all based right here in Chintsa. From Game Drives to Surf School plan your holiday around these great adventure activities!
Use the tabs below to read more about our fabulous tours and attractions.
Surf School
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"Learning to surf is not just about standing up on a surfboard"
Our unique approach to surf instruction aims to develop a broad understanding of ocean dynamics and therefore builds water confidence.
The following aspects are covered in each surf lesson:
- Safety
- Equipment
- Understanding the ocean - Rips, tides and currents
- Wave formation and wave selection
- Paddling and catching waves efficiently
- Standing techniques & style
Equipment provided:
- Wetsuit
- Mini-Malibu surfboard
After lunch you may keep the equipment for the remainder of the day as you practice your new skills.
Hire Options:
- Surfboard rentals - R 85 per day/ R 50 up to 4 hours
- Wetsuit hire - R 50 per day
Kitesurf & SUP
Chintsa beach is the perfect location to learn to Kitesurf or Stand-Up-Paddleboard (SUP) with the lagoon for beginners and the stunning stretch of sandy beach and ocean for more experienced writers to practice. Buccaneers and Surfstore Africa have teamed up to offer guests the opportunity to take part in these extreme watersports - from beginners to advanced riders.
Qualified instructor Anteo is based at Buccaneers and provides lessons daily.
Kitesurf Packages
| Description | Duration | Price | |
| XS Pack | Beginner - Get the Feeling | 2 hours | R 390.00 |
| S Pack | Beginner - Learn the Basics | 4 hours | R 1 290.00 |
| M Pack | Intermediate - Get Independent | 8 hours | R 2 190.00 |
| L Pack | Intermediate - Get up and Ride | 12 hours | R 2 990.00 |
| XL Pack | Advanced - Get Experience | 20 hours | R 3 990.00 |
| IKO Licence Exam | Advanced - Theory & Practical exam | R 450.00 | |
| Rental | 1 day | R 890.00 | |
| Insurance for Rental | R 190.00 |
SUP'ing Packages
| Duration | Price | |
| Beginner Course | 2 hours | R 185.00 |
| Rental | 1 hour | R 100.00 |
| Rental | 1 day | R 490.00 |
*Private lessons available at an extra cost.
Mountain Bike Trail
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The scenic route through rural South Africa
- An African Heartland Journeys (AHJ) Responsible Tourism Initiative
A 25 minute drive takes you to the start of the ride just inland of the coast.
Traversing back roads you come into the rural village of Ngxingxolo for a brief stop and introduction to life in the “lallies”. You’ll get the chance briefly meet Mama Tofu and some members of this community before heading off on the gravel track and through Tainton village.
A short uphill gets the legs burning before the long winding downhill to the “three bridges” of the Chefani River. As you climb the hill look to your right to see Cintsa Horses and Rehabilitation Farm.
The final part of the route links to Schafli Road and the ride ends back at the hostel where you can enjoy a swim in the pool and drink and snack at the bar.
Why is AHJ a Responsible Tourism operator?
African Heartland Journeys has founded itself on the ethical ethos of community involvement and local empowerment through tourism in South Africa. From our beginnings we have sought to employ and train locals in the tourism business. Our guides on the half day and mountain bike experiences have been groomed in guiding and developed into confident, loyal and valuable employees of whom we are very proud.
All tours are inclusive of community involvement and therefore the community receives direct revenue benefits from your participation on the activities. AHJ’s outreach organisation, Volunteer Africa 32° South (VA32), has grown into an increasingly valuable role-player in the greater Chintsa area. Education initiatives include bringing computer technology to over 1000 young learners, co-managing 120 computers in school labs, providing free adult computer literacy courses and getting ADSL connectivity to the local primary schools. Other major contributions revolve around the "Township to Village Project". To find out more about these programs visit www.volunteerafrica.co.za.
Horse Rides
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"A freedom like few other experiences"
The ride starts near Panorama Farm on the Chintsa West road before heading down to the rocky shores of the beach. Keeping together as a group you pass the dunes and come onto the 4km stretch of open beach heading to Chefani Mouth.
The return ride sees you wade the river near the hostel and head along a bush track passing the dam and ending back up the hill near where you set out.
Big 4 Safari
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Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve with its high carrying capacity of wildlife offers visitors to the area the opportunity to view many of the big 5 of South Africa from the comfort of open game viewing Land Rovers.
All drives are lead by qualified guides who will inform you of the richly diverse fauna and flora of South Africa's Eastern Cape.
On route you will visit the lion enclosure, a drive through a protected area which boasts the rare pride of "white lions". Inkwenkwezi has seen their lions safely and naturally deliver two sets of cubs.
Other highlights includes rhino, buffalo, giraffe, jackals, lynx and a wide range of South Africa's plains game.
The birdlife of South Africa is plentiful and the sight of soaring raptors has become commonplace for the residents of Chintsa.
Inkwenkwezi has plans to release the cheetah, which are currently in an enclosure adjacent to the restaurant, in the near future.
The Elephant Sanctuary is home to four young elephants from the Elephants for Africa Forever Program. Under management, this small herd roams the reserve near the sanctuary. Visitors are given a highly informative talk by the handlers and are given the opportunity to get up close to these gentle giants.
Inkwenkwezi also offers the option of guided quad biking tours. Be led on a leisurely ride through the wilds of South Africa, viewing the animals in their natural habitat of the reserve as you tackle the terrain on a quad. If you care to, you can opt to re-fuel after your ride with a 3 course epicurean lunch.
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Xhosa Experience
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Rural & Township Tour
- An AHJ Responsible Tourism Initiative
Designed as an exciting and interesting look into two diverse worlds of the amaXhosa people of South Africa as you visit the rural village of Ngxingxolo and the community of the Chintsa Township.
Departing Chintsa you follow the back road through Tainton village arriving at Ngxingxolo. Your first stop is at the homestead of Mama Tofu, a highly regarded member of the community, the oldest tour guide in South Africa(!) and an inspiration to all who visit.
An hour long visit allows you to learn of the culture, traditions and livelihoods of the rural amaXhosa people as you interact with families and walk around this enchanting village. Quality traditional craft is available directly from crafters who live in the village.
Our guides will point out the crèche and primary school which are home to two of Volunteer Africa 32° South (VA32) volunteer programs.
Looping back around to Chintsa you will stop at the township entrance for an informative talk on this dynamic and progressive community. Walking through the township allows you to learn about the history, challenges and developments of modern South Africa, within the Chintsa community. Food gardens abound, with local growers running a weekly fresh produce market as part of a VA32 initiative and the Friends of Chintsa “From Township to Village” initiative which is an LED and urban renewal and greening program in its third year.
The walk allows visitors to traverse both the formal and informal sector of the township and is designed to highlight some of the complexities faced by South Africa, while exposing a community of humble and happy residents despite enormous challenges.
The tour will end back in Chintsa East.
Creche Volunteer
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Join the children and teachers in a local Chintsa East creche where extra hands are vital. These severely under-resourced, under-staffed schools care for and teach the smallest learners of Chintsa with children between the ages of 12 months - 3 years.
Play with the children and assist the creche staff with general day-to-day tasks.
*Experience only available during school term time
