Hiking is a great way of exploring South Africa. On foot you can get really close to the flora and the fauna for which the country is famous. In addition, hikers can observe, at an unhurried pace, the spectacular scenery.
The only dilemma deciding where to go - the country has so much to offer. All provinces offer a wide choice of hiking possibilities - through beautiful mountain areas or ancient forests, along the sandy, unspoilt coastline or in nature and game reserves.
Hiking trails are clearly marked, while accommodation is offered in comfortable huts. Maps, itineraries and excellent hiking literature are available in South Africa. Information can be obtained at the local tourist offices.
Walking safaris, accompanied by a game ranger, are very popular - offering the opportunity of stalking the animals by following the `bush signs`, like foot prints or other evidence of their presence.Excursions deep into the wilderness - far away from the beaten track - are offered by both South African and UK/European tour operators.
Hiking in South Africa can be extremely challenging, and full details of what is involved should be ascertained at the time of booking. Only follow marked trails and don`t over-stretch yourself. Permission must be obtained from the relevant authorities before setting off into conservation areas and hiking with an experienced guide is recommended.
Guided treks into the game reserves costs around �45 per person, per day, catering and accommodation included. Following a nature trail - like the four/five-day coastal `Otter Trail`, for instance - costs about �10 per person, per day. Inexpensive day excursions are also offered. Accommodation is simple but adequate. Sleeping bags, cooking utensils and so on must be carried and teamwork in setting up/breaking camp, for example, is expected. Anti-malaria precautions should be taken by hikers in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern provinces.
In Mpumalanga hikers can stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables bought from street stalls before setting off along the trails, some of which thread through lush, green pine forests, where the constant call of the red-breasted cuckoo provides a musical accompaniment for the hiker. After a few miles walking through these enchanted woods, there`s the chance to cool off in the inviting, refreshing waters of the streams and brooks under the curious gaze of chattering monkeys.
Everlasting and Aloe trees decorate the vast grassland areas, which can be discovered via a comprehensive network of fascinating trials. Choose the `Danie Botha Trail`, for instance, and you can traverse a wondrous landscape stretching 80 km, enjoying breathtaking views from God`s Window of the panorama of the lowveld, 1,000 metres below, where the Kruger National Park is situated. The Berlin Falls, which plunge 80 metres into lovely pool, and the prolific bird life are other highlights.
In contrast, on the `Prospector`s Hiking Trail`, hikers will encounter the weird, round depressions of the Bourke`s Luck Potholes and have a chance to stay in an old gold-digger`s house in the historical gold-rush village, Pilgrim`s Rest.
Few hikers to Northern Province or Mpumalanga will wish to miss the opportunity of a walking safari in the Kruger National Park. Accompanied by an experienced, armed ranger, there`s the chance to see the "Big Five" - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo - as well as other animals "in close up" and well as getting first hand knowledge of the bush.
Alternatively your hike could take you into the mountains or along the sub-tropical coastlines of KwaZulu-Natal. Only a few hours from the "fun and sun" resort of Durban is the marine wonderworld of St Lucia, game reserves like Hluhluwe-Umfolzi and nature parks.
Then there`s the challenge of the Drakensberg, dubbed the "Barrier of Spears" by the Zulu. In the crystal clear air, the hiking trails snakes steeply rock formations, bushes of protea and tropical grasses.Take advice from the experts - start as early as possible, watch out for changes in the weather and suspend climbing if fog descends. If the weather is clear, you can climb from Sani Pass (2,873m) to the summit of the 3,482m high Thabana Ntlenyana, in exactly six hours - it is best to use the services of an experienced local guide, equipped with a map and compass. Guide books or leaflets about the many different hiking trails can be purchased or obtained from hotels.
In the Free State`s Golden Gate National Park, - with its fantastic red and golden rock formations - hiking trails curve across hills, through valleys, gorges and alongside rivers. This is the home of the black wildebeest, the eland - and vultures. In the Free State, on the Brandwater Hiking Trail, you can even stay overnight in a cave, the Salpeterkrans, the largest sandstone cavern in the Southern Hemisphere. You should also spend some time discovering the Free State`s authentic villages and visiting the provincial capital, Bloemfontein, particularly in October, when 4,000 roses bloom in King`s Park, earning the place the title "The City of Roses".
Flowers, in particular those of the "fynbos" family, are also a feature of the Cape Peninsula of the Western Cape Province. On Table Mountain, over 1,400 different types of plant blossom, while between October and November, 600 species of heather cover the mountains along the `Swellendam Hiking Trail`.
In the Eastern Cape`s Tsitsikamma National Park, you can follow the well-known `Otter Trail` through lush forest vegetation, while prolific birdlife is a feature of the `Boskloof Hiking Trail`. The drie-bessie-bos plant which grows here is found nowhere else in the world. The Addo Elephant Park is a sanctuary for these giant creatures while the `Zebra Hiking Trail` explores the arid interior, populated by eland, kudu - and the elusive Cape fox. Hikers spend the night in tents, huts or even under the stars. After recalling the day`s highlights and enjoying a hearty meal around the camp fire, you take turns in keeping watch at night. Then you can listen to the medley of the animal sounds reverberating around you and gaze spellbound at the night sky, making out the pattern of Southern Cross, a constellation never seen in the Northern Hemisphere.
Above all, hiking provides you with the time to fully absorb the splendours of the South Africa`s multi-faceted landscapes and gives you the chance to really appreciate nature `in the raw`. Perspectives on life may be profoundly changed by these experiences. Hikers frequently reflect that "this walk has changed my life".
NORTHERN PROVINCE / NORTHWEST / MPUMALANGA
1. WILDERNESS TRAILS IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Bushman (at Berg-en-Dal), Metsi-Metsi (at Skukuza), Napi (at Pretoriuskop), Nyalaland (at Punda Maria); Olifants (at Letaba); Sweni (at Satara); Wolhuter (at Berg-en-Dal). Duration: 2 days (3 nights). Guided. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Accommodation. in tents. Equipment and catering included in the price.Participants: max. 8. Must be booked well in advance.
2. WILDERNESS TRAILS IN PRIVATE GAME RESERVES
Jock of the Bushveld Trail: duration 5 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate Nylsvlei Trail: distance: 30km and 19km. Duration: 2 days. Participants: max. 6. Degree of difficulty: moderate to hard.
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3. SOUTPANSBERG
Distance: 20km. Duration: 2 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate.Route: to Hangklip Forest Station (Louis Trichardt). Accommodation in huts. Participants: max. 30
4. MAGOEBASKLOOF HIKING TRAILS
Distance: Dokolewa Trail (36km) and Grootbosch Trail (54km). Duration: both trails, 3 days. Degree of difficulty: very, very challenging. Route: near Tzaneen, Start from De Hoek Forest Station to Dokolewa (huts) or Grootbosch (tents). Participants: max 8.
5. GIRAFFE HIKING TRAIL
Distance: 22 km. Duration: 3 days. Degree of difficulty: easy. Route: in Hans Merensky Nature Reserve. Participants: max. 12
6. WATERBUCK NATURE TRAIL
Distance: 11 km. Duration: 4 hours. Degree of difficulty: easy (hot in summer). Route: Circular way in Hans Merensky Nature Reserve. Participants: unrestricted. Following walks in the same reserve: Letaba Trail: 7 km. Mopanie Interpretative Trail: 1km. Duration: Day excursions.
7. PROTEA TRAIL (OP DE BERG)
Distance: 42 km . Duration: 4 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: from Bourke�s Luck Potholes via Muilhuis, Op-de-Berg and back. Participants: max. 10.
8. YELLOWWOOD TRAIL (EERSTE LIEFDE)
Distance: 25 km. Duration: 2 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: From Bourke�s Luck Potholes across Eerste Liefde and back. Participants: max. 10.
9. HIKING TRAILS FROM BLYDEPOORT RESORT
Route: Circular ways in Blyderivers-Poort Nature Reserve from Blydepoort Resort. Bookings for hiking not necessary. Participants: unrestricted.
Kadishi: 5 km; Potholes Nature Trail: 1 km; Bushman Nature Trail: 5 km, Leopard Nature Trail: 5 km; Loerie Nature Trail: 3 km; Tarentaal Nature Trail: 4 km; Tufa Nature Trail: 2 km; Sycamore Interpretative Trail: 2 km.
10. FANIE BOTHA
Distance: 79 km. Duration: 5 days or circular ways - 2 or 3 days (huts).Degree of difficulty: very hard. Route: from Ceylon State Forest to God�s Window. Participants. max. 30.
11. BLYDERIVIERSPOORT
Distance: 65km or 32km. Duration: 5 days or 2 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate to very difficult.Route: from God�s Window to Swadini, in Swadini Resort. Participants: max. 30.
12. PROSPECTORS
Distance: 42 km. Duration: 2 - 4 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: from Mac Mac across Pilgrim�s Rest to Bourke�s Luck. Shorter trips possible. Participants: max. 30.
13. LOERIE
Distance: 14 km. Route: circular ways near Sabie, which starts at the Ceylon Forest Station. Participants: unrestricted. Duration: 8 hours. Degree of difficulty: easy to moderate.
14. MOUNT SHEBA
Route: 12 trails, different distances, from Mount Sheba Hotel. Participants: unrestricted. Free of charge for hotel guests.
15. RUSTENBURG TRAIL
Distance: 21km . Duration: 2 days and 3 - 4 days, trails up to 40 km. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: trails in Rustenburg Nature Reserve, from Kudu hut up the the Hartebeest hut, on the plateau of the Magaliesberge. Participants: max. 10.
16. PILANESBERG NETWORK OF TRAILS
Distance: 7 - 8 km. Day hiking. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: unguided walks in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve near Sun City.
KWAZULU-NATAL
17. ITALA WILDERNESS TRAIL - Duration: 3 days.
18. WILDERNESS TRAILS IN MKUZI GAME RESERVE - Duration: 3 days.
19. WILDERNESS TRAILS IN ST. LUCIA GAME RESERVE - Duration: 3 days.
20. WILDERNESS TRAILS IN UMFOLOZI GAME RESERVE-Duration: 3 days.
Reservations should be made well in advance. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Very hot during the summer months. Accommodation: in tents. Equipment is included in the price.Food and beverages must be catered for. Participants: max. 6
21. NATAL DRAKENSBERG
The variety of trails are so great, one could not mention them individually, therefore following literature are recommended:
Drakensberg -Giants Cup Trail published by J.Stein Publishers, ISBN 3-89392-154-0.
Walks and Hikes by Andr� de la Harpe & Leon Hugo (Queillerie Publishers).
A complete Guide to walks and trails in Southern Africa by Jaynee Levy (Struik Publishers); Barrier of Spears by R.O. Pearse,( Timmins Publishers); Mountain Odyssey by David Coulson and James Clarke (Macmillan Publishers); Hiking Trails of Southern Africa, by Willi and Sandra Olivier, (Southern Book Publishers).
Day excursions: Various short routes can be undertaken from following hotels. Participants: unrestricted. Free of charge for hotel guests.
Information and Reservations:
Drakensberg Garden Hotel, Champagne Castle Hotel, Cathedral Peak, Cathkin Peak, Drakensberg Sun, Little Switzerland, Mount-Aux-Sources Hotel, Royal Natal National Park Hotel, Sani Pass Hotel, etc.
FREE STATE
22. RHEBOK HIKING TRAIL
Distance: 31km. Duration: 2 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: Trail from Glen Reenen Camp in Golden Gate Highland National Park to the highest summit in the Park. Participants: max. 18.
23. BRANDWATER HIKING TRAIL
Distance: 72km. Duration: 5 days. Degree of difficulty: very challenging. Route: Hiking trail near Fouriesburg.Participants: max. 20.
24. VENTERSBERG HIKING TRAIL
Distance: 32km. Duration: 2 days. Degree of difficulty: easy. Route: Trail in Meiringskloof Nature Park, near Fouriesburg. Participants: max. 20.
CAPE PROVINCE
25. BERGKWAGGA HIKING TRAIL/MOUNTAIN ZEBRA PARK
Distance: 26km. Duration: 3 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: In Mountain Zebra Park, 25km from Cradock. Participants: max. 12.
26. SPANDAUKOP
Distance: 13km. Duration: 7 hours. Route: trail in Karoo Nature Reserve, near Graaff-Reinet. Participants: 10. Degree of difficulty: moderate. The Valley of Desolation walk can be done as well. Duration: 1 hour.
27. OTTER TRAIL
Distance: 41km. Duration: 5 days. Degree of difficulty: very challenging. Route: in the Tsitsikamma Coastal Park, from the Storms River Mouth to the Groot River Mouth. Participants: max. 12. Bookings should be done well in advance.
28. GROOTKLOOF
Distance: 16km. Duration: 8 hours. Degree of difficulty: easy to moderate. Route: from Groot River camping place to the summit of the plateau, at Covie. Participants. unrestricted.
29. TSITSIKAMMA TRAIL
Distance: 61km. Duration: 5 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: from Nature Valley to Storms River Bridge. Short excursions can be done as well.Participants: max. 20.
30. IN TSITSIKAMMA PARK
Trails in Tsitsikamma Forest and Coastal Park: Bushpig (30 min.); Ferntree (30 min.); Blue Duiker (30 min.); The Mouth (30 min.); Loerie (30 min.). Participants: unrestricted.
31. KRANSHOEK NATURE WALK
Distance: 9km. Duration: 4 hours. Degree of difficulty: moderate to difficult. Route: Coastal way in the area of Hakervill in Kruisfontein State Forest. (32km outside Knysna). Participants: unrestricted.
32. TERBLANS NATURE TRAIL
Distance: 7km. Duration: 3 hours. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: Trail begins at the Grootdraai Picnic Spot in Guna State Forest. (17km from Knysna). Participants: unrestricted.
33. OUTENIQUA HIKING TRAIL
Distance: 107km. Duration: 7 days. Degree of difficulty. moderate to difficult.Route: from Witfontein Forest Station, near George, after Diepwalle at Knysna. Shorter walks also along this trail also possible.
34. ELEPHANT WALK
Distance: 18km. Duration: 7 hours. (Alternative Route 1: 9km or Route 2: 14km). Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: trail begins at Diepwalle Station (22km north of Knysna). Participants: unrestricted.
36. RUITERSBOS
Distance: Various short trails. Duration: 1 - 3 hours. Route: trails through the Ruitersbos State Forest, begins at Eight Bells Mountain Inn. Participants: unrestricted.
37. SWELLENDAM HIKING TRAIL
Distance: 82km. Duration. 6 to 7 days, or distance 50km, duration 5 days and distance 30 km, duration 3 days.Degree of difficulty: very challenging. Route: trails from Koloniesbos through Swellendam State Forest and Marloth Nature Reserve. Participants: max. 16.
38. FERNKLOOF RESERVE / HERMANUS
Distance: 27km and 25km. Degree of difficulty: easy to challenging. Route: 27 km trail along the coast and 25km along a mountain range. Participants. 4
39. TABLE MOUNTAIN & CAPE PENINSULA
There are so many different trails, it is not possible to mention them individually.Following books offer detailed information: Latest Walks in the Cape Peninsula, Trails and Walks in the Southern Cape by Jose Burman(Human and Rousseau Publishers); Trailing and Mountaineering in South Africa by Jaynee Levy (Struik Publishers); Walks and Hikes by Andr� de la Harpe & Leon Hugo (Queillerie Publishers).
40. BOLAND - HOTTENTOTS-HOLLAND
Distance: 43km. Duration: 3 days or 25km, 2 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: from Sir Lowry�s pass, near Grabouw to Franschhoek Pass in the Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve. Participants: max. 12.
41. BOLAND - LIMIETBERG
Distance: 34km. Duration: 2 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: from Hawequas State Forest across the Hawequas and Limiet Mountains to Tweede Tol in Bainskloof. Participants: max. 30.
42. VINEYARD TRAIL
Distance: 24km. Duration: 6-7 hours. Degree of difficulty: moderate. Route: from Stellenbosch to Kuilsrivier through the wine regions. Participants: unrestricted.
43. CEDARBERG WILDERNESS AREA
Distance: altogether 254km of marked hiking trails with different duration times and degrees of difficulty.Accommodation in simple huts and at camping places.Equipment, food and beverages must be brought along. Participants: min. 3, max. 12.
44. KLIPSPRINGER TRAIL
Distance: 39,5km. Duration: 3 days. Degree of difficulty: moderate to challenging. Route: trail begins at the caravan park at the Augrabies Falls, via Twin Falls, Oranjekoma Echo Corner. Participants: max. 12. (closed from 15 October to the end of February).
45. FISH RIVER CANYON (NAMIBIA)
Distance: 86km. Duration: 3-5 days. Degree of difficulty: very challenging. Route: between the Hobas and Ais-Ais, north of Vioolsdrift. Participants: max. 40 per day. (closed from 15 October to the end of February).
RECOMMENDATIONS
* One should be fit for hiking. Be informed about the degree of difficulty.
* Accommodation should be reserved well in advance - waiting lists could be extremely long, (one year).
* Is your first aid-knowledge up to standard?
* Be prepared for all weathers, as there could be a sudden change. Follow the meteorological service.
* Weatherproof clothes need to be taken along.
* Hiking should at least be done in a small group of three.
* Do think about head protection.
* Do not cross rivers at high tide.
* Camping should not be done in dry riverbeds.
* Try to escape bushfires by fleeing downwards in gorges, never upwards.
* Do not hike in bad weather conditions.Use torches, whistles, or swaying of clothes to draw attention.
* Eat nourishing food.
* No litter to be left.
* Be careful with open fires.