Authentic Wild Coast holiday at La Shaque

La Shaque is located in uMngazana, a quiet coastal village on the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is a rustic holiday cottage that was hand built with the help of Wilson & Ivy (who work at the cottage daily) and other Xhosa locals. It's a truly unique place offering a rural beach holiday experience whether you enjoy angling, hiking coastal pathways, rockpool swimming, chilling on the deck or afternoon napping. Please read the listing carefully and in full before booking. The space This rustic family cottage was built from wattle and daub. Ivy and Wilson are two Xhosa locals who take care of the cottage - their service is inclusive in your nightly rate. Ivy will arrive daily to wash dishes, make beds and sweep floors during your stay. She can also fillet fresh fish, cook and shell mussels and clean crayfish upon request. Wilson is an excellent fisherman and gillie, who also oversees maintenance and access. The deck offers sweeping views of the coastline perfect for alfresco dining, morning coffees, reading a book or just watching the ocean and its tidal, ship or dolphin/whale activity. In cooler and/or windy weather, retreat to the lounge for comfort and shelter where the view through windows is a close 2nd to the deck. It is decorated in truly beach cottage style with cloths, beach collectables and crafts made by locals. With cellphone signal being limited (Vodacom is strongest), build puzzles on the table (a few available in the cupboard) or borrow a book during your stay from the bookshelf. The kitchen is well equipped in terms of cutlery, crockery, glassware and cookware. We recommend planning meals that are best cooked on a stovetop, or on the braai (bring your own charcoal/ briquettes, firelighters etc.). While there is a gas oven, it is small and hard to monitor the exact temperature - we find it is best to use it as a warming drawer on low heat, or for baked veg at a higher heat. The downstairs of the cottage has the lounge, bedrooms 1 & 2 (both small and each with double beds and latch doors), bathroom (incl. shower, bath and 1 flush toilet), kitchen and scullery. The stairs near the cottage entrance goes up to the loft with bedrooms 3 and 4 on either end which have two single beds each. These bedrooms are made private by curtain dividers. It is useful to note that these upstairs rooms can feel very cold on Winter nights, and very warm on Summer days. Each of the bedrooms offer sufficient shelving to unpack your clothes along with some hangers and hooks. As mentioned, Wilson is an enthusiastic angler and will willingly go fishing on your behalf to try catch you some fresh fish using his own rod but ensure to bring along some fishing tackle (eg. hooks, sinkers, bait). If you are keen on fishing, Wilson will take you to fishing spots and serve as an excellent gillie. Please ensure to bring your own rods and license to fish with along with the necessary fishing tackle - there is space in the lounge to store your rods during your stay. Guest access The driveway is a grassy area which can easily fit 3-4 vehicles/ trailers, and Wilson will lock a steel cable across the driveway (mostly at night) which you will have a key for on your guest set. As the cottage is for your exclusive use, Wilson will meet you on arrival and you will have your set of keys for the front door, the driveway padlock (as above) and a key for the small safe. Other things to note The dirt road leading to uMngazana (you may see Mqaleni/ Madakeni on maps) and through the local village to the cottage is generally not well maintained and has been easily subject to flood damage occasionally in the last few years, hence we strongly recommend guests come in 4x4 or minimum 2x4 high clearance vehicle(s). The road a few metres before the driveway is steep with loose stones so please go slow - this stretch is often the reason guests need 4x4, especially when it has been raining.