Mbotyi River Lodge on the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast is known for its hospitalty and warm atmosphere, including play facilities for children. Friendly Pondo child minders are available from the Mbotyi community. Mbotyi encourages you to experience true Pondo culture as you walk the along the hills and valleys of the village with a local guide/interpreter, meet the people and the local characters, or visit a Sangoma or a lively shebeen. Fees for guided hiking, horse trails and river excursions go entirely to the guides. Since 2001, the lodge has been helping uplift the local community through hospitality training and by assisting community-owned activities. The community-owned Mbotyi campsite was built with funding from the DEAT Poverty Alleviation programme, winning an Imvelo Responsible Tourism Award in 2003. The lodge has an ongoing alien plant eradication programme, and some 3 000 indigenous trees and shrubs have been planted.