The Wild Coast is famous for its empty beaches and dramatic cliffs, but head inland from the seaside village of Mbotyi and you'll find something unexpected: hillside after hillside of tea. Magwa Tea Estate, near the small town of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape, has been producing tea since the 1960s, and it comes with a waterfall tucked right inside the plantation.
The history goes back further than most visitors realise. Trial plots were planted at Lusikisiki in 1960, production began with 50 hectares of seedlings in 1965, and a factory followed in 1969. Today Magwa, along with the separate Majola estate near Port St Johns, operates under Magwa Enterprise Tea, with each site running its own processing factory and a focus on black tea. It hasn't all been smooth sailing — the province's 2025/26 agriculture policy speech flagged high operating costs and ongoing efforts to attract investment — which makes supporting the estate on a visit all the more meaningful.
The main draw for travellers is the plantation tour programme: walking the fields, watching tea pickers at work, touring the factory to see how leaf becomes cup, and finishing with a tasting and a stop at the factory shop. There's also apparently a tea restaurant on site if you want lunch, though opening times vary, so ask ahead. One caveat: the published tour description dates from 2019, so contact the estate before you go to confirm what's currently running and whether the factory will be operating on your chosen day.
Then there's Magwa Falls itself, dropping roughly 144 metres into a narrow canyon within the plantation. It's a striking sight, but the approach from the parking area is described as rocky and slippery, so wear shoes with decent grip, keep well back from the gorge edge, and check conditions before setting out. Arranging a local guide who knows the route is a smart move — and it puts money into the community.
This corner of the Wild Coast rewards an unhurried itinerary. Rather than a rushed day trip, consider basing yourself in Lusikisiki or Mbotyi, both of which have accommodation listed by the local municipality. That gives you time for the estate, the falls and the coast without racing between them.
If you've never thought about where your teabag comes from, Magwa turns an everyday drink into something with a place, a history and a set of faces attached. Pack a thermos, leave the beach towel for another day, and bring a box or two home — your next cuppa will come with a story.
