Mshumani

On the west coast of East London just landwards from the beautiful and ever-changing Gulu mouth, mShumani welcomes you and invites you to heed the call of nature. Shumani is the isiXhosa word for bachelor though in our interpretation Shumani captures the free spirit of the bachelor, represented gracefully by the Gulu Rivers resident fish eagle. Situated on part of an old dairy farm, Shumani Farm is perched on 30 hectares of indigenous bush, bordered by the Gulu River on one side, the Fort Pato Road on the other, and traversed by a few streams, usually dry, and wonderful to explore. The property has a breathtaking view of the Gulu river and the coastal dune forests that flank the lagoon. Whether you are a keen birder, canoeing or mountain biking enthusiast, or just enjoy the beauty of nature, Gulu is well worth a visit. Gulu mouth is a short distance from Shumani via the Gulu Mouth access road (dont let the bumpy sand road put you off getting to the beach) – the mouth can be reached by car, bicycle or on foot. When the river mouth is closed, it is a worthwhile experience canoeing to the beach to enjoy the silence of the ravine and catch glimpses of pied and malachite kingfishers. Once in the lagoon, you may encounter a lone goliath heron, visiting crowned cranes and other estuarine waders. On reaching the beach, a five kilometre walk to the East takes you to the Igoda river mouth while the west routing takes you to the Mcantsi river and the small village of Kidds Beach. Walk along the beach and explore the rock pools, maybe find some fresh oysters or mussels (you will need a permit), and see the rare oyster catchers and other pelagic birds. Or explore the dune forests inhabited by bushbuck, vervet monkeys, and mongeese. Enjoy a meal or refreshments on the deck of the Beach House Restaurant in Kidds Beach and keep an eye out for playful dolphins, and in winter, whales. The two self-catering cottages at mShumani neighbour each other and are quite separate from the main house. The minimum rate is R450 per person sharing per night. For more information on the cottages and activities in the area, please visit our website via the link below.