30/06/2017
4 Days Baviaanskloof Slackpacking Trail
Groups and organisers must meet in Steytlerville no later than 14h, to repack your personal belongings into provided crates. By late afternoon all riders will be taken to Nakop to meet their horse for the journey and to get an introduction into the grooming and feeding of the horses. Riders will have to take full responsibility of their horse which means feeding twice a day, giving water late at night, grooming and tacking up.
We all will have dinner together at the Royal Hotel in Steylerville, where we also will stay for the night.
After an early breakfast we all will be transported to Nakop. The trail starts with a 1 200m climb over the first 4km, traversing theBaviaanskloof Mountains, followed by a 7km descent into the Kloof. Overnight accommodation is 3km further on the farm Doringkloof in an old farmhouse. A cooked dinner is enjoyed around the large dining table, a well deserved treat after a challenging day!
After a proper farm breakfast you will have about 5km to walk some of it off, as the trail starts on the farm. Before you know it, you will tackle your first short uphill for the day, with unimpeded views in all directions. Soon civilazation is forgotten and you start the traverse of the Kouga Mountain Range, with a view into the Klein Kommando and Tjando Kloofs. The changeover between biomes are clearly visible, as you move from thorntrees to aloes, cycads, proteas and spekboom, plus 95 bird species have been counted on the trail.
At 26km this is the longest day of the hike, the last few kilometres into a kloof to get to Modderhuisie at Entkraal, where accommodation are in tents. As this venue is extremely remote, we all will help with making fire and food. The starry skies will be the movie for the night.
Day 3’s hike/ride starts start through the beautiful Kouenek Kortkloof, towards the Joubertskraal River, before you tackle the Kouenek to the highest point, a 8km climb with many false summits! Then a generous and slow reintroduction back to civilazation follows, as you enter the remote farming community of the Nooitgedacht area. This is where you will pass the Nooitgedacht Primary School, the beneficiary of the Baviaans Camino.
Accommodation for a selected few is in a small farmhouse at Ragels River, while the rest will enjoy the beautiful scenery from their tents. Teacher Elmien will provide us with dinner, part of the fundraising efforts of the school.
The last early morning trail again starts through the kloofs around the Ragels River, before we tackle the Moordenaarskloof - by now nothing to fear! Accommodation on the last night is at the Kouga River, where we braai and enjoy the starry skies for old times sake.
After another hearty breakfast, we pack up camp, and start our journey back to the real world.
Transport to Steytlerville and from the Kouga River is not included in the rate. Group sizes are 12.
Hikers and riders must bring their own hiking/riding gear, day backpack, hiking pole, a headlamp, towels and sleeping bags with small pillow. Be prepared for extreme heat or severe cold. Make sure what you bring will fit into the supplied 55 litre crate - clothes, drinks and extra snacks. You also will receive a small bag with your own cutlery and crockery (read between the lines, you will have to do your own dishes!).
Cost:
R7 900 per person + R1 500 for a horse.
No single supplements are available.
* Tents, matrasses and chairs will be supplied
* 99% of the route has no cell phone reception. The organisers will have a satelite phone for emergencies and two-way radios between the groups.
* Two support vehicles will accompany all groups to ensure safety at all times.
* Breakfasts and dinners are cooked, and you will receive a lunch pack for each day. You are welcome to add your own energy drinks/snacks (provided it fits into your crate!).
* Dates:
15 - 20 August
5- 10 September
Contact now: 081 841 5275