Spekboom Tours

07/02/2025

☀️ After two weeks of gloomy skies and endless rain in November, Wakkerstroom welcomed me with brilliant blue skies—perfect for embarking on our the slackpacking tour!

Our base was the idyllic Forellenhof Guest Farm, perched above lush green hills overlooking the village. As the group of 11 adventurous women arrived, the buzz of excitement was contagious. Some snapped photos of the farm's adorable animals 🐓🐑🐱, while others relaxed with a well-deserved gin and tonic after braving the Johannesburg traffic.
The best part of slackpacking? All the logistics, meals, and planning are handled, leaving us free to enjoy the magic. 🥾✨

04/02/2025

☕️ Coffee and Community at Theressa’s Roastery 🌟

Day 3 of our Wakkerstroom Slackpack started with a visit to Theressa’s Roastery—a cozy haven where coffee lovers find their bliss. Theressa, a powerhouse of entrepreneurial spirit, transitioned from baking bread to roasting award-winning coffee. Her dedication paid off, earning her Coffee Magazine’s Community Café Award for 2024!

Theressa doesn’t just roast coffee; she’s on a mission to show the village what a truly great cup of coffee should taste like. We sampled 4–5 of her finest Arabica blends, each sip more delightful than the last.
Caffeinated and energized, we were ready to dive into Wakkerstroom’s rich history with our next guide, Rita Wiesemann.

04/02/2025

My first encounter with this little gem was back in 2019 during my honeymoon, and I was instantly smitten. 🥰 With its rustic charm, beautifully preserved Victorian homes, and top-notch yet budget-friendly restaurants, Wakkerstroom stole my heart. Surrounded by rolling grassy landscapes and pristine wetlands, it’s a paradise for any nature and bird lover. 🌾🦆

Fast forward five years—I'm still happily married (yay! 💍), and my love for Wakkerstroom love-affair has only grown stronger. At my husband’s very wise suggestion, I’ve created a three-day slackpacking itinerary to showcase its magic.

In November last year, I was lucky enough to host an amazing group of 11 dynamic ladies to sample this adventure! Over the next three days, I’ll be sharing some juicy details and unforgettable highlights from that trip. 🥾✨ Check out the full itinerary on my website:

A fully inclusive 3-day slackpack hike in Wakkerstroom

03/01/2025

Slackpack! 🌿

📅 When: Thursday, 27th February – Sunday, 2nd March 2025
💰 Cost: Only R6300 pps (this year’s experience at last year’s rates!)
✨ Why join?

No admin stress—we’ve got the group covered!
Incredible hikes through the stunning Midlands, complete with amazing views and summer vibes.
🚶‍♂️ Only 6 spots left, so don’t miss out! Email me at [email protected] to book your spot today. Let’s make memories on the trail! 🥾🌄

30/12/2024

🌿 Hey fellow slackpackers! 🌿
Dreaming about your next epic getaway? While you're scrolling, why not lock in some adventure? We've got a scheduled Karkloof Midlands slackpack lined up from Thursday, 27th February to Sunday, 2nd March 2025, perfect for individuals to join. No group hassle—just you, the trail, and good company! 🥾✨
Only 6 spots left, so don’t wait too long to decide. Let me know if you’re keen, please drop me a whatsapp

24/12/2024

24/12/2024

🌟 Looking for the perfect post-Christmas escape once the festive madness winds down? 🌟

Join us for an unforgettable Karkloof Falls to Falls 3-Day Slackpack from Thursday, 27th February to Sunday, 2nd March 2025. 🥾✨

🌿 What’s in store?

Fully guided hikes through breathtaking Midlands landscapes
Visits to hidden waterfalls each day 💧
All-inclusive comfort and adventure for just R6300 per person sharing—this year’s experience at last year’s rates!
Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! Email me at [email protected] to book your spot. Let’s chase waterfalls together! 🌈💦

The Old Mushroom Farm@

05/11/2024

Spring is the perfect time for a walking adventure! 🌼🌿 Sure, you might have to dodge a few rain showers or the occasional hailstorm, but trust me, it's worth it—Nature is in full bloom! This October, I had the pleasure of taking a fabulous group of ladies on the Midlands Falls2Falls hike, and it did not disappoint.

The Clivias may have been saying their goodbyes, but we were treated to the early beauty of orchids like Eulophias, Merwillas nervosa, and the stunning Pelargonium luridum. And oh, that sweet scent of Cape Honeysuckle in the air? It made me feel alive and younger than ever! 🍃✨

For those wishing to do the Midlands Falls to Falls we have a scheduled tour 13th-16th March 2025.

30/10/2024

Finally writing a blog of all the hikes and slackpack Spekboom Tours have completed in the past 7 years. Wow its been quite a journey!!

Back to nature Slack pack hiking in the Dargle Valley KZN Midlands. An introduction to the mysteries of the Mist-belt forest

20/10/2024

Even though we're at the tail end of Clivia season, I was ecstatic to discover a stunning new pocket of orange Clivia gardens on some of the fresh trails opening up in Shawswood! With over 300 hectares of indigenous Mistbelt forest to explore, we’re in for an amazing floral treat this Spring! 🌸✨

Can’t wait to share this beautiful experience with everyone!
conservancy

16/10/2024

This past month, we had the joy of taking 20 children from Lions River Primary into the magical Mistbelt forest in the Dargle. With binoculars in hand, they eagerly spotted the majestic Knysna Loerie and the elusive Starred Robin 🦅. Along the forest trail, they discovered animal tracks like porcupine and bushpig and let the peace of nature wash over them.

We ended the day with a picnic at Crab Apple—chocolate cake, birdsong, and bubbling streams creating the perfect moment! 🍰🌳 Huge thanks to Apple Cottages and and for making it all possible! 🙌

program

09/10/2024

An awesome little spot to stop off at!

03/10/2024

🌿 Adventure Alert for Young Explorers! 🌿

Hey there, parents! Are your kids aged 9-14 ready for an unforgettable adventure? 🏞️

Join us on Sunday, 13th October 2024 for an epic Hike & Scavenger Hunt up the stunning Nhlosane Mountain in Dargle! 🌄✨

This back-to-nature experience will have them hiking, exploring, and solving clues while soaking up the great outdoors. 🌱🌻

👟 Moderate Fitness Required (3-4 hours)
💰 Cost: R50-R80 per child
📆 When: Sunday, 13th October 2024
📍 Where: Nhlosane Mountain, Dargle

Ready for some fresh air and fun? Book now with Gilly at 083 271 7338 to secure your spot! 🎒
Bank Details: EFT only
First National Bank, Howick Branch code: 220725, Acc no 622 118 79236
Ref: Name + Oct Kids Walk

01/10/2024

My very first homemade canva video!! Now you art and film critics..go easy on me!! Im a bit spastic with technology but recently my lovely clients generously shared their photos and videos of their Clarens San Traverse Slackpack!! Pictures take the place of many gushy words, I think this video really encapsulates the essence of the hike; the hard moments, the best moments and the downright hilarious moments made especially funny with the crazy intrepretations off their essentric guide, Adrian and his dog Bella!! Fort

22/08/2024

North Coast, Mtunzini and Amatikulu, Spekboom Tours next slackpack!! Why? because there is so much on offer. From wide leafy coastal paths, lush tropical and dune forest, plenty of birding opportunities and endless peopleless stretches of white beaches!! This area has it all. Originally a Kinglet under the famous white chief, John Dunn, In 1948, 9 square kilometers of dune forests, lakes and lagoon at Mtunzini was proclaimed a nature reserve known as the Umlalazi Nature Reserve making wilderness and walking possible. Its now a destination for surfers, birders, nature-lovers, art-lovers, paddlers, cyclists and fisherman. Organize a group minimum 4 people and we will show you the very best of coastal hiking!!

20/08/2024

🌄 Thinking of dropping into Clarens for a long weekend? Why not! If you're craving a little adventure alongside the shopping and dining, join us for a 3-day slackpack hike. 🥾✨

Fully catered and expertly guided, this hike takes you through pristine, curated trails only accessible through private farms. It's one of our most popular tours, and for good reason!

Here are a few snapshots from our recent hike: despite the burned countryside, we found plenty of lakes and caves to explore, and meandering rivers to enjoy. Cozy accommodations made those chilly mornings feel luxurious, and Bella, our guide's dog, was the star of the group! 🐾🏕️

18/08/2024

🏞️ Feeling incredibly lucky to be in this line of work! Who else gets to have a board meeting while cycling with their boss to discuss school progress? Or meet all the other amazing service providers in the industry on an adventure summit in the Berg? 🏔️

This year, Spekboom Tours joined delegates from all over the country, striving to inspire, discuss, network, and share our passion for adventure in the great outdoors! 🌲🌟

The first day of the 'conference'? Oh, we weren't wilting away from "death by PowerPoint." Instead, we got to choose our own adventure poison! From rock climbing, via ferrata, and riding sidecars, to hot-air ballooning, hiking up Nandi Falls, shredding trails on mountain bikes, or traipsing through the forest on a canopy tour. 🌄🎈🚲

I chose to scale Sentinel Peak on a via ferrata, which is basically climbing to a dizzying height harnessed in on an iron cable. Fun fact: these types of cables were used in Italy/Austria during WWII to safely ferry goods and people through the Alps without actual rock climbing. 🇮🇹🧗‍♂️People can still do the Via Ferrata today

What an experience! If you've got a head for heights and a thirst for adventure, you HAVE to try it! Head to Witsieshoek, hire the equipment and a guide (or go self-guided if you're feeling brave and know how to handle your ropes), and prepare to be awed by the vulture's-eye view of Tugela Falls and the entire Tugela catchment in Royal Natal. 🏞️🦅

A huge thanks to all the service providers who made this epic conference possible! for genourously hosting the conference for all the whole get-together for designing and taking us on the via ferrata 🙌

16/08/2024

🏞️ Feeling incredibly lucky to be in this line of work! Who else gets to have a board meeting while cycling with their boss to discuss school progress? Or meet all the other amazing service providers in the industry on an adventure summit in the Berg? 🏔️

This year, Spekboom Tours joined delegates from all over the country, striving to inspire, discuss, network, and share our passion for adventure in the great outdoors! 🌲🌟

The first day of the 'conference'? Oh, we weren't wilting away from "death by PowerPoint." Instead, we got to choose our own adventure poison! From rock climbing, via ferrata, and riding sidecars, to hot-air ballooning, hiking up Nandi Falls, shredding trails on mountain bikes, or traipsing through the forest on a canopy tour. 🌄🎈🚲

I chose to scale Sentinel Peak on a via ferrata, which is basically climbing to a dizzying height harnessed in on an iron cable. Fun fact: these types of cables were used in Italy/Austria during WWII to safely ferry goods and people through the Alps without actual rock climbing. 🇮🇹🧗‍♂️People can still do the Via Ferrata today

What an experience! If you've got a head for heights and a thirst for adventure, you HAVE to try it! Head to Witsieshoek, hire the equipment and a guide (or go self-guided if you're feeling brave and know how to handle your ropes), and prepare to be awed by the vulture's-eye view of Tugela Falls and the entire Tugela catchment in Royal Natal. 🏞️🦅

A huge thanks to all the service providers who made this epic conference possible! 🙌 #