Mdumbi Backpackers

The Sardine Run is more than just a wildlife spectacle — it’s a vital source of income and opportunity for the people of Tshani and Mdumbi Backpackers

Mdumbi is a small, rural community along South Africa’s Wild Coast, where formal employment is scarce and most families rely on subsistence living. Tourism offers one of the only viable pathways to a steady income — not just for individuals, but for their extended families and neighbours.

During our Sardine Run season, more than 125 local residents benefit directly from the activity around the Backpackers. Some offer guiding services, others sell seafood like oysters and crayfish, or run small tours, craft stalls, or support services like shuttles, massages, or laundry. Many of these are informal, self-run businesses — owned and operated entirely by local residents.

The ripple effect is significant. Each person typically supports a household of 4–6 people, which means that hundreds of people in the area are indirectly sustained by seasonal tourism. In a place where even basic services like healthcare and education are limited, every job, every customer, and every opportunity matters.

The Backpackers itself employs around 12 permanent staff from the Mdumbi community, with another 6–8 hired during the Sardine Run. All staff are encouraged to run side hustles within the lodge — anything from bread baking and massage to guiding walks — fostering a real sense of ownership and entrepreneurship.

The presence of visitors also supports essential community services. A preschool for around 60 children was started through this work, and a health clinic — now run by government — provides basic care to anyone in the area.

Guests are encouraged to head into the village and spend directly with the community — supporting local shops, food vendors, and tour guides. Over the years, this has helped ignite over 60 small enterprises run by people from Mdumbi.

This is a region with incredible heart and potential — but it also faces real challenges. Crime has been a concern, and while it’s largely under control today, the solution lies not just in policing, but in creating real, sustainable opportunities for people to thrive. That’s what tourism can do here — bring more light, more connection, more income, and yes, a bit more sweetness to life in Mdumbi.

When you join us for the Sardine Run, you’re not just here to witness dolphins and gannets in action — you’re supporting an entire community that’s working hard to build a better future.