Hiking the easy way – South Africa’s best slackpacking trails

Do you think hiking is a strenuous and sweaty undertaking It doesn’t have to be – there are more than enough slackpacking trails around, ones where you can admire the views, cool off in rivers and rock pools, sleep in comfy hotels and guesthouses and have meals prepared for you. And, best of all, you don’t need to lug your rucksack every step of the way. It’ll be transported between overnight stops for you. Scott Ramsay went in search of some of South Africa’s best slackpacking trails.

Diaz Cross Trail
Nearest major town: Port Alfred, Eastern Cape.

Trail description: This five-night, guided beach trail starts at Woody Cape and ends at the Great Fish River Mouth, about 83 kilometres later. The terrain is moderate and there are no steep up or down climbs. Rivers can be deep so boat crossings are provided.

Accommodation: Hikers stay in comfortable private cottages equipped with hot water, beds and flush toilets.

Rates: From R3 950 a person for two people to R3 000 a person for a group of 14 people. Hikers need to carry only packed lunches, water and cossies. All meals are included, as well as sundowner cruises, canoe trips, entry to Addo Elephant National Park and transfer between overnight stops if you do not feel like hiking.

For info: Tel 046-624-5295, e-mail sunshinehikes@border.co.za or visit http://www.sunshinecoasthikingtrails.co.za.

Dolphin Trail
Nearest major town: Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape.

Trail description: A two-day, 20-kilometre trail starting at the Tsitsikamma National Park at Storms River Mouth, winding its way eastwards through fynbos and indigenous forest, then over rocks at the waters edge, to end on the banks of the Sandrif River. Hikers have good views of the rugged Tsitsikamma coastline, and the opportunity of spotting whales, dolphins and the occasional otter.

Accommodation: Comfortable chalets at Misty Mountain Reserve await hikers on the first night, and the second is spent at chalets at The Fernery.

Rates: R2 700 a person, including all meals, a local guide, a boat trip into the Storms River Gorge (weather permitting) and a 4×4 drive through the old Storms River Pass.

For info: Tel 042-280-3699, e-mail info@dolphintrail.co.za, or visit http://www.dolphintrail.co.za.

Garden Route Trail
Nearest major town: Wilderness, Western Cape.

Trail description: This four-day, 65- kilometre beach route begins at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp in Wilderness and ends at Featherbed Reserve on Knysna’s West Head. A steam train transfers the hikers back to Wilderness.

Accommodation: The first night is spent at a guesthouse in Wilderness, the second at Myoli Cabanas in Sedgefield, the third in rondavels at Goukamma Nature Reserve and the final night at Brenton-on-Sea Chalets.

Rates: R3 550 a person, which includes all accommodation, Wilderness National Park entry fees, Featherbed tour and lunch, Knysna ferry crossing, Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe transfer and all meals, except one dinner and one lunch, for which hikers need to budget about R50 each.

For info: Tel 082-213-5931, e-mail trax@lantic.net, or visit http://www.gardenroutetrail.co.za.

Hole in the Wall Hike
Nearest major town: Umtata, Eastern Cape.

Trail description: Starting at Presley’s Bay, this five-day trail takes hikers along sandy beaches, across estuaries, mangrove swamps, cliffs and grassy hill tops. It ends at the Hole in the Wall Hotel, some 31 kilometres later.

Accommodation: The first night is spent in a private cottage at Presley’s Bay, the second is at Anchorage Hotel, the third is at Ocean View Hotel in Coffee Bay and the final night is at Hole in the Wall Hotel.

Rates: From R4 010 a person for six people to R2 675 a person for a group of 12 people. Included are all meals, portage of bags, transfers to and from Umtata or East London and daily community guides.

For info: Tel 043-743-6181, e-mail meross@iafrica.com or visit http://www.wildcoastholidays.co.za.

KNP Wilderness Trails
Nearest major town: Nelspruit, Mpumalanga or Phalaborwa, Limpopo.

Trails description: There are seven three-night trails in Kruger’s wilderness areas; there are no set paths and you walk in the mornings and afternoons with armed rangers. Accommodation is at the same camp every night.

Bushman: A walk through a secluded valley surrounded by granite hills, where rhinos, elephants and buffaloes are encountered. A variety of rock art can also be seen.

Metsi-Metsi: The landscape on this trail varies from savanna to rocky gorges and ravines. The perennial Nwaswitsontso River attracts elephants, black rhinos and large predators.

Napi: The trail is characterised by undulating terrain, granite hills and a high population of white rhinos.

Nyalaland: Fever trees and baobab forests are common sights on this hike, which also boasts prolific bird life and expansive views.

Olifants: Riverine bush and gorges meet the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains, supporting a variety of wildlife, including large predators, elephants and buffaloes.
Sweni: This wild area is home to the Sweni lion pride. Black and white rhinos have also been sighted.

Wolhuter: This trail commemorating the Wolhuter family lies in the transition zone between the mixed bushwillow woodlands and the Malelane mountain bushveld.

Accommodation: Sites for the trail camps are selected for their beauty and diverse plant and animal life. Accommodation is four rustic, two-bed huts. Ablution facilities comprise reed-walled showers and flush toilets. A covered lapa serves as the dining area.

Rates: R2 240 a person. Included are all meals and accommodation. A maximum of eight people between the ages of 12 and 60 years may walk. Hikers provide their own drinks.

For info: Tel 012-426-5111, e-mail reservations@sanparks.org, or visit http://www.sanparks.org.

Oystercatcher Trail
Nearest major town: Mossel Bay, Western Cape.

Trail description: The 47-kilometre trail starts at Mossel Bay and continues along sandy beaches, where the rare oystercatcher birds breed. It ends at the mouth of the Gouritz River, after passing through the villages of Vleesbaai and Fransmanshoek. There are plenty of swimming and snorkelling spots along the way, and whales and dolphins can often be spotted during winter. The trail is four days, and there is an option to do the last two days only.

Accommodation: For the first two nights (the first in Mossel Bay, the second at Dana Bay), hikers sleep in guesthouses with views of the ocean. The third night is spent at Sandpiper Fisherman’s Cottage at Boggoms Bay, and the final night is at Kanon Cottages at Cape Vacca.

Rates: R3 850 a person for a maximum of 12 people (R1 850 for the two-day trail). The price includes all accommodation, meals, drinks (except liquor) and transport is included. For an extra R600, hikers can be flown in a helicopter back to their vehicles at the start of the trail.

For info: Tel 044-699-1204, e-mail forban@mweb.co.za or visit http://www.oystercatchertrail.co.za.

Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail
Nearest major town: Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape.

Trail description: This five-day, 60-kilometre trail begins at De Vasselot Rest Camp hut in Nature’s Valley and ends at the Storms River Bridge. The trail starts near the beach, but then winds its way inland to the forested mountains for the rest of the trail.

Accommodation: Huts along the route have bunk beds and can accommodate up to 24 hikers. There’s an adjacent cooking lapa with braai grids, kettles, cast-iron pots and fire wood. Ablution blocks have flush toilets, showers (one with a hot-water bucket shower) and a hand basin.

Rates: R60 a person a night. You can carry your own bags, but for portage you will pay R400 a hut (for two to six people), R500 a hut (for seven to 12 people) and R35 a person thereafter. You need to take only sleeping bags and food on the trail.

For info: Tel 044-874-4363, e-mail info@mtoecotourism.co.za or visit http://www.mtoecotourism.co.za.

Whale Trail
Nearest major town: Bredasdorp, Western Cape.

Trail description: The route stretches 54 kilometres from Potberg to Koppie Alleen, and includes five overnight stops. Hikers explore the natural diversity of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, which includes the fynbos-covered Potberg Mountains and the marine protected area renowned for its snorkelling and whale-watching opportunities.

Accommodation: The hikers’ huts sleep 12 people. All the huts (except Noetsie) have built-in braais suitable for all weather conditions. There is warm water, mattresses, fire wood and solar-powered lighting. Hikers must take their own bedding and food.

Rates: R690 a person plus R250 a person for portage of bags.

For info: Tel 028-425-5020, e-mail bredasdorp@capenature.co.za or visit http://www.capenature.org.za.

Wild Coast Meander
Nearest major town: East London, Eastern Cape.

Trail description: This is a five-day, guided trail along empty beaches, starting at Kob Inn and covering about 55 kilometres, ending up at Morgan Bay. Daily distances are short, and a moderate level of fitness is required.

Accommodation: Hikers spend even-ings in the following hotels: Kob Inn, Mazeppa Bay, Wavecrest, Trennery’s or Seagulls and Morgan Bay.

Rates: From R4 895 a person for a group of two people to R2 835 a person for a group of 18. Included are all meals, accommodation and transfers to and from East London. Guides are know-ledgeable about the area and come from the local communities. And if you’re lazy and don’t want to carry your own daypack, porters can be hired.

For info: Tel 043-743-6181, e-mail meross@iafrica.com or visit http://www.wildcoastholidays.co.za.