Major city · South Africa
Kei Mouth
Spend 1–2 days in Kei Mouth for beach walks, the Strandloper Trail start and a car‑pontoon crossing; easy to combine with Morgan's Bay.
Kei Mouth is a small seaside village on the Eastern Cape Wild Coast, about 90 km (1 h drive) east of East London. The town is walkable, with beaches, a car pontoon across the Kei River and the Strandloper Trail start. Most attractions fit in a half‑day, so 1–2 days is enough before heading to nearby Morgan's Bay or Double Mouth.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jun–Aug (hot, occasional storms)
- Airport
- ELS
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kei Mouth112 ▾
- General emergency (mobile)112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kei Mouth, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyKei Mouth is generally safe for tourists; main risks are sun exposure and occasional surf conditions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency (mobile) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportELS East London Airport (1 h drive to Kei Mouth via tar road).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable; mini‑bus taxis operate for short trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR20–R30
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi), if needed)Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km), if needed)R150–R200
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personR 250
- Mid-range bedBed & Breakfast room, a night, per roomR 900
- High-end bedBed & Breakfast room, a night, per roomR 1,300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 500 · Mid R 800 · High R 1,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ELS East London Airport (1 h drive to Kei Mouth via tar road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Care
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Care
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Care
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jul (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kei Mouth: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable; mini‑bus taxis operate for short trips. No regular buses or taxis; arrange shuttle from East London or private pick‑up (small fee).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Morgan's Bay
goDoor to door: ≈15 min total
Drive 7 km (4.3 mi) east on R349, about 10 minDrive 4.3 mi (7 km) east on R349, about 10 min
Cliffs and beach, continuation of Strandloper Trail.
Double Mouth Nature Reserve
goDoor to door: ≈20 min total
Drive 11 km (6.8 mi) east on R349, about 15 minDrive 6.8 mi (11 km) east on R349, about 15 min
Pristine beach and shipwreck site.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Endalweni Private Game Reserve
Self‑catering, 2–6 guests, DSTV, 8 km (5 mi) before Kei Mouth on R349Self‑catering, 2–6 guests, DSTV, 5 mi (8 km) before Kei Mouth on R349
The Cock Inn Bed & Breakfast
Sea views, gardens, 8 km (5 mi) before Kei Mouth on R349Sea views, gardens, 5 mi (8 km) before Kei Mouth on R349
Sunray Farm – Equestrian Centre & Hunting Lodge
Horse‑riding focus, 22 km (14 mi) out, limited accommodationHorse‑riding focus, 14 mi (22 km) out, limited accommodation
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R500–R800 excl. bed
- Mid
- R800–R1,200 excl. bed
- High
- R1,200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Bed & Breakfast room1 × 1 night × R 900 | R 900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 800 | R 1,600 |
| Shuttle from East London airport (round‑trip)2 × R 300 · check | R 600 |
| Car pontoon crossing (vehicle + passenger)2 × R 150 · check | R 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 340 |
| Trip total≈ R 1,870 per person per day, bed included | R 3,740≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in ZAR; flights and car hire excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R20–R30 |
| Fish and chips | R80–R120 |
| Taxi (5 km, if needed) | R150–R200 |
| Car pontoon crossing (per person) | R150–R200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No public bus service; rely on walking or mini‑bus taxis.
- Car pontoon schedule can change; check before crossing.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency (mobile)
- 112
Pocket card
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Kei MouthKei Mouth
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency (mobile)112
Embassy
US consulate in Johannesburg; other embassies in Pretoria or Cape Town.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- East London → Kei Mouth shuttle: about R300 per person, 1 h drive (check)
- Car pontoon crossing: about R150–R200 per passenger (check)
Say or show
- Verskoon my — Excuse me / Sorry (verskoon my)
- Dankie — Thank you (dankie)
- Hoeveel kost dit? — How much is it? (hoeveel kost dit)
- Waar is die strand? — Where is the beach? (waar is die strand)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kei Mouth. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jun–Aug (hot, occasional storms) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add shuttle service from East London airport to Kei Mouth (check timings).
- Map walking routes to Signal Hill and Lover's Lane platforms.
- Link to Morgan's Bay and Double Mouth guides for extended hikes.
Sources
Ask about Kei Mouth
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