This is one of two great slackpacking trails that we offer in the Whale Coast (hermanus) region of South Africa. As with all slackpacking trails, your luggage is taken by vehicle to each overnight stay and so all you need to carry is a light day pack.
Kogelberg Camino – is a 5 night/6 day moderate HIKE of 70km so approx 12km per day. It is NOT a walk.
Walk with Whales – is a 4 night/5 day easy to moderate Walk/Hike (Sept to Oct only).
We describe both below but the day-to-day itinerary below is for the Kogelberg Camino.
Time Offered: mid August to May
Distance: 70 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Departures: Set departures (twice weekly so parties of 2 to 4 people can join others up to a maximum of 8 people. Larger parties can contact us for a tailormade quote.
The Kogelberg Camino takes you through six unique nature reserves, across rivers and estuaries, along pristine beaches, meandering coastal paths, under the canopy of an indigenous forest, alongside waterfalls and to the summits of two mountain peaks β offering spectacular 360ΒΊ views. All in the Kogelberg Biosphere which is in the heart of the Cape Floral Region with over 1880 species of Fynbos, with 73 species endemic to this nature reserve.
This is a summer hikeΒ as it offers many naturalΒ swimming opportunitiesΒ and being in the Cape in theΒ prime weather months are unbeatable.Β (The Mountains are wet and slippery in winterΒ so it is not available between June and early August.)Β
Highlights:
Terrain: This hike includes mountains with the highest elevation of 600m, river strolls, a winding journey through an indigenous forest, and walks along picturesque beaches and coastal paths. There may be an estuary crossing β depending on whether it is open to the sea when you hike. One section of the highest summit has a bit of scrambling and steep declines on either side of the path. If this is not for you, one of their guides will take you around on a contour path.
For the day to day itinerary – see below
Time Offered: Sept & October only
Distance: 53 km
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Departures: Set departures (twice weekly so parties of 2 to 4 people can join others up to a maximum of 8 people. Larger parties can contact us for a tailormade quote.
Starting just 30 kilometres south of Cape Nature’s famed Whale Trail, this guided all-inclusive Whale Watching walking experience is a relaxing enjoyable walk, rather than hike.
Each step of the journey has been thoughtfully curated β from Β to deeply immersive storytelling that brings theΒ local ecology, marine life, history, and culture to life. Our Walk with Whales is aΒ coastal meander suitableΒ for all people who are walking fit. We offer aΒ complimentary weekly fitness programΒ seven weeks before your start date, to help make this your best walk ever.
Highlights:
Terrain: Low-tide beach walks on firm sand, barefoot or in shoes. Well-marked trails and koppies with moderate climbs, max elevation 210 m.
Logistics: They may change the days and coastal walks as they are determined by tides and swells. The aim is to keep you on the beaches at low tides when the sand is hard and to get you into the sea caves which are magical.
See the Digital Itinerary HERE
To some degree you can adjust the accommodation to suit you if you are doing a tailored itinerary from shared private homes (price on application), to private en suite rooms (see prices below) to luxury bespoke options.
Single Supplement: approx 20%
Meals: Delicious dinners catering to all dietary requirements and allergies. Homemade rusks and daily breakfasts. Sandwiches and fruit for en-route lunches, and evening snacks. A fabulous farewell lunch with drinks. If you like to eat more snacks when walking, you are welcome to bring additional snack bars etc
Drinks: A variety of teas, filter or instant coffees. Fine Cape wines, beers, ciders (non-alcoholic too) cool drinks, mixers and waters. You are welcome to bring your own spirits (to be transported with your luggage)
Conservation Levy for International Guests: There is a R1400 Levy for International Guests to cover the higher cost of the Nature Reserve Conservation fees for Intl guests
Use the scroll button to see the full itinerary.
The shared transport leaves Hermanus at 15h30 taking you to the first nights accommodation. (If needed, secure parking is available for your cars.)
The first nights included accommodation is in a Bβn B, where our team will meet you and give you a detailed briefing on what to expect over the next five days. A fun evening walk to dinner in a seaside village.
A lie-in or an early morning refreshing dip in a tidal pool, followed by a hearty breakfast. Check out and walk straight from your BnB, along a coastal path through an unspoilt nature reserve with pristine fynbos.
You then head along a 11km stretch of untouched beach where you will most likely not see another person. Beautiful, refreshing swims in the cool Atlantic Ocean along the way are highly recommended.
Refreshments on the banks of an estuary (you may have a river crossing) with incredible bird sightings, and you may see the Rooisand Wild Horses too. If 14km is enough for you, we will transport you to a seaside restaurant for a well deserved cold drink and lunch, where the 21km hikers will meet you.
Arrive at your next accommodation. AΒ hearty meal finishes off the day.
An early start as todayβs hike takes you up a mountain to an elevation of 634m, with breakfast en-route.
If a mountain summit is not for you, one of our team will take you along a contour path that leads you around the side of the mountain.Β The views from both routes are vast and incredible.
These mountain routesΒ cannot be done in extreme weather conditions, and a coastal path will be walked instead.
Walk to your next nights accommodation, a beautiful mountain cabin in the heart of the Kogelberg Biosphere, where swims and relaxation await!
Breathe into the heart of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. Todayβs hike on the Kogelberg Nature Trail will gradually climb to an elevation of approximately 350m through an indigenous forest filled with enormous yellowwood, ironwood and stinkwood trees alongside a babbling mountain stream with many waterfalls. This is the only place in the Reserve with a forest, and itβs incredible. Once out of the forest, you walk past the most spectacular rock formations we have ever seen. At the top, there areΒ scenic views which include tomorrows route. Lunch is at the top of a large waterfall.
You then make your way down zig-zag paths to a renowned Botanical Garden, a wonderful upmarket South African based curio shop, enjoy a lunch under the trees and you will then you will head back to your accommodation for a rewarding sunset and a delicious dinner, right on the doorstep of the Ocean.
A leisurely start to the day.Β Today walk includes a visit to a penguin colony and a secluded beach walks right around the point in a private nature reserve.
The colours of the ocean around here are breathtakingly beautiful β an assortment of turquoises, greens and blues. We stop for a beach picnic and then head out for fabulous dinner.
An early start and up a mountain for our last summit where you are treated to a view extravaganza, where you can look back at your whole hike. Enjoy breakfast at the top! A short walk down the mountain where the bus awaits and we will then take you back to your cars in Hermanus. Note we can also arrange transfers to the Winelands/Cape Town on request.
This is a sample itinerary using specific hotels and lodges. However most of these sample tours can be adapted to suit you. If applicable, it includes domestic seat-in-charter flights. But it excludes any regional and domestic scheduled flights (as these are subject to change and specific routing). These are added to a specific quotation once we have your dates.
All accommodation and meals, all luggage & people transfers as specified
EXCLUDESDrinks
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