A unique multi day coastal hiking trail from Mossel Bay to Gouritz where you can experience the marvel of the unspoilt Cape Floral Kingdom and enhance your knowledge of the rare and indigenous herbs and aloes of the area. At the right time of year you can watch the spouting of the whales and listen to the wistful call of the African Black Oystercatcher. From the edge of the cliffs watch thundering waves pound the shores and explore tranquil rock pools while you walk along magnificent sandy beaches.
Overnight in luxury guest houses on the hike which provide traditional foods such as; ostrich steaks, bobotie, Karroo lamb, pot bread etc as well as fresh fish from the sea, black mussels, calamari etc.
Carry only a light day pack, costume, sun cream, binoculars and camera while your luggage is shuttled by us from one overnight stop to the next.
Hiking dates scheduled between January and November
Itinerary:
- 1st night sleep in Mossel Bay in comfortable lodge near the harbour or luxury guest house on the beach front
- 2nd night in Sandpiper Fisherman`s Cottages in Boggomsbaai
- 3rd night in Sandpiper Fisherman`s Cottages in Boggomsbaai
- 4th night either at Kanon Cottages / Cape Vacca or again in Boggomsbaai, depending on availability and group size
Day 1 .. Arrival day with optional visit to Diaz museum (no hiking)
Day 2 .. Starts at the famous Khoi-San Cave and ends at Danabaai. Hikers are transferred by road to Sandpiper cottages at Boggomsbaai for the night.
Day 3 .. This day is an amble along a magnificent and unspoilt beach.
Here you will see how the Black Oystercatcher feeds and where he
lays his eggs. Along the way you can swim, watch dolphins
and whales (in winter) from the shore.
We will show you where the
ancient beach people, the Khoi-San made their stone age weapons and
left their shell middens. Here you can dig your own sand
mussels for an hors d`oeuvre that night on the coals in a thatched
fisherman`s cottage. Fishing licenses are need which are obtainable from your local post office.
Day 4 .. After breakfast the hike proceeds along the beach past the
village of Vleesbaai and then on the edge of a rocky shore, rich
with marine life, to historical Fransmanshoek. This is one of
the South Cape`s most famous fishing spots.
Here you can
participate in safe snorkeling in a wonderful private and quaint
little bay. It is also near here where the 'Le Fortune' ship was
wrecked in 1763.
After light lunch on the beach, you meander along Kanon Beach and
the foot of massively high dunes to Cape Vacca Fisherman`s Cottage
where you will sleep at the edge of the Indian Ocean after devouring
a famous candle light sea food dinner
Day 5 .. This is the final day that starts slow and lazy after a magnificent breakfast with the waves washing at your feet. A short walk takes you to the mouth of the Gouritz River. You are then ferried up river by small boat and receive a send off champagne brunch on the banks of this wise old river. You are then transported back to the starting point at Mossel Bay where your car has been safely parked.