‘Fiffty Dolla’ the voice barked from behind the counter. We looked at each other before Sue replied ‘The fees were paid in full’. ‘You want to hike, fiffty dolla!’ ‘But there are only 4 of us and the original booking was for 12 hikers and was paid in full’.’ You want to hike?’ The official behind the counter repeated. Heck, we had come all this … Continue reading Getting to Lost Bend in the Fish River Canyon.
After the recent mountain rescue on Table Mountain this weekend, it is important to share some salient safety measures when hiking on any mountain, irrespective of experience. • use official foot paths only • carry more that one operational cellphone in your hiking party • plan your intended route in a way that you are off the mountain before sunset • carry an accurate map … Continue reading Be Prepared to be Safe when hiking in South Africa.
One of the last true wilderness areas in South Africa is undisputedly the Baviaanskloof, a series of folded mountains, canyons and valleys between Willomore and Patensie in the Eastern Cape. It is a botanical wonderland that transforms from Karoo through Fynbos and into pockets of Afro-Montane forest with hints of Spekboom along an east west axis. It is a landscape that begs to be hiked … Continue reading Leopard Trail – Baviaankloof Hiking
So often a sign lacks the detail of what it is indicating. In Graaff Reinet, as you enter the town from the south, there is an insignificant sign indicating a hiking trail. No trail name. No trail distance. Merely, turn west off the N9. Recently, while visiting Graaff Reinet, I again saw the sign and decided to do some online research. All I found was … Continue reading Karoo Hiking – Eerstefontein Trail
Sun filtered through the forest canopy and lit up the tannin stained river to a golden glow as the three boys were energetically boulder hopping upstream. ‘If you don’t give children a smartphone and play station nowadays, they are ostracised by their class mates’ Sabin, the boys mother, mentioned while they were out of hearing range. ‘I even bought a play station and pretended that … Continue reading Child’s play in the Garden Route
Recently I read a social media post where the account holder slated one of the trails in the Garden Route. Her complaint is that, just because a trail is established doesn’t make it worthwhile walking and that, for her, it was a boring trail. The trail she was slating was one of the Elephant Trail loops at Diepvalle. I was amazed. All three of the … Continue reading Overcoming ecological ignorance while travelling.
Perdekop Trail. Disrance : 10km Altitude Range : 183m to 223m Habitat : Forest Duration : 3 to 3.5 hours. anagement: SANParks Entrance fee : R30.00 for SA and R95.00 for international hikers. The Perdekop Trail is a gem of a forest trail in the Harkerville forest section of the Garden Route National Park east of Knysna. The route passes through sections of mature tall … Continue reading Perdekop Trail – Forest hike in the Garden Route
