Major city · South Africa
Qolora
Go for 1–2 nights if you want a quiet Wild Coast beach with the Jacaranda wreck and a cultural village; skip if you need shops, restaurants or reliable transport.
Qolora is a tiny Wild Coast village on the south bank of the Qholorha River, 110 km east of East London. It has a subtropical climate, warm Indian Ocean waters and a single notable sight — the Jacaranda wreck, beached since 1971. There are no buses or taxis; you drive in via a pontoon ferry at Kei Mouth and then 16 km of gravel road. Most visitors stay one or two nights at Trennery's Hotel or the iKhamanga Cultural Village. Qolora suits travellers who want isolation and a beach walk, not a town base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (warm and dry)
- avoid Jun–Aug (cooler, rougher sea)
- 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 Qolora112 ▾
- Mobile emergency112
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 Qolora, 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
- SafetyQolora is very safe by South African standards; the main risks are the gravel road after rain and the lack of services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 Mobile emergency (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 (About 110 km (68 mi), 1.5 h drive; car hire available).ELS East London Airport (About 68 mi (110 km), 1.5 h drive; car hire available).
- Getting aroundNo buses or taxis.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bediKhamanga Cultural Village (dorm-style), a night, per personR 350
- Mid-range bedTrennery's Hotel double room, a night, per roomR 1,800
- High-end bedTrennery's Hotel double room, a night, per roomR 3,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 600 · Mid R 1,500 · High R 3,000
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 (About 110 km (68 mi), 1.5 h drive; car hire available)ELS East London Airport (About 68 mi (110 km), 1.5 h drive; car hire available)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jul (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Mar (11 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Qolora: 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)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 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
No buses or taxis. You need your own car. The road from Kei Mouth is gravel; a 4x4 is helpful but not essential in dry weather. The Jacaranda wreck is an hour's beach walk from Trennery's.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive 16 km (9.9 mi) south on gravel road, then pontoon ferryDrive 9.9 mi (16 km) south on gravel road, then pontoon ferry
Small village with shops and a beach; the ferry is the only crossing.
Door to door: About 45 min
Drive via Kei Mouth, about 25 km (16 mi)Drive via Kei Mouth, about 16 mi (25 km)
Quiet beach and lagoon; good for a half-day.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Drive via Kei Mouth and N2, about 110 km (68 mi)Drive via Kei Mouth and N2, about 68 mi (110 km)
Only worth it for supplies or a flight.
Coffee Bay
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Drive north on gravel roads, about 70 km (43 mi)Drive north on gravel roads, about 43 mi (70 km)
Rough road; better as a separate stop on a Wild Coast road trip.
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.
Qolora Mouth area
Trennery's Hotel and iKhamanga Cultural Village are the only options; book ahead.
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
- R500–800 excl. bed
- Mid
- R1,200–2,000 excl. bed
- High
- R2,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Trennery's Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × R 1,800 | R 3,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × R 1,500 | R 6,000 |
| Pontoon ferry (Kei Mouth, one way)2 × R 30 · check | R 60 |
| Meal at Trennery's (dinner)2 × R 200 | R 400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 1,006 |
| Trip total≈ R 2,767 per person per day, bed included | R 11,066≈ US$650 |
check
2026 estimate in South African rand; car hire and fuel excluded.
Prices of common things
| Pontoon ferry (Kei Mouth, one way) | R30 (check) |
| Meal at Trennery's Hotel | R150–250 |
| iKhamanga Cultural Village overnight (all meals) | R350–700 per person (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Pontoon ferry at Kei Mouth may have limited hours; check before crossing.
- Gravel road after Kei Mouth can be rough after rain.
- No shops or restaurants outside your accommodation; bring supplies.
- Mobile reception is patchy.
Emergency numbers
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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QoloraQolora
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Kule dilesi, ncedaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- East London Airport → Qolora: About 110 km (68 mi), 1.5 h drive; car hire needed (R400–800/day)About 68 mi (110 km), 1.5 h drive; car hire needed (R400–800/day)
- Kei Mouth pontoon ferry: About R30 one way (check)
Say or show
- Molo — Hello (moh-loh)
- Enkosi — Thank you (en-koh-see)
- Yimalini? — How much? (yee-mah-lee-nee)
- Uphi ulwandle? — Where is the beach? (oo-pee oo-lwan-dle)
Xhosa is the local language; English is widely understood at accommodation.
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 Qolora. 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: Oct–Apr (warm and dry) · avoid Jun–Aug (cooler, rougher sea) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Qolora
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