This is a fully catered and portaged hike. Knysna Forest Tours will collect the guests in Knysna and transfer them to the Conservation Station at Groenvlei where the walk will commence. Guests must bring a daypack, water bottles, hats, sun block, and any specific snacks they might desire on the trail!! ( We will provide lunches/energy bars etc ). Knysna Forest tours will portage luggage to the overnight accommodation in the three thatched double-rondawels overlooking the estuary. Don’t forget swimming costumes!!
Day one
Time: 5 – 6 hours
Distance 13km
Exertion: Moderate
The trail is a moderately arduous walk from the shores of Lake Pleasant (Groenvlei), through the Milkwood forest, and over the dunes to the Rondavels in the Goukamma nature reserve. The views and scenery on this walk are amazing. The Goukamma coastline and countryside inland consists of scrub forest, dune Fynbos, and of course a million Milkwood trees!! We overnight in the stunning Rondavels at the Goukamma Nature reserve. Dinner is served…
Day two
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Distance: 12km
Excertion: Easy ( Beach and Fynbos)
Today is another great day. We have the best of both worlds. We commence the day with a beach walk from Goukamma and head east towards Buffalo Bay, crossing the Goukamma River Mouth (Ankle deep when it’s open…) and the “Wildside”. We walk past the popular swimming/surfing beach of Buffalo Bay and stop for an optional coffee or an ice-cream before continuing with our walk. From Buffalo Bay we carry on towards to Brenton on Sea in an Easterly direction. After about 2km we head off into the dunes and the Cape Floral Kingdom. We walk for 4km through the vegetated dunes on our return loop to Goukamma. This trail comes out on the Buffalo Bay road where we cross over and back to Goukamma Nature reserve on the beach again. An Awesome day. After lunch we take our Indian canoes up the Goukamma river for a leisurely paddle. This river is a bird watchers paradise! I have seen darters, pied kingfishers, malachite king fishers, giant king fishers, fish eagles, Knysna Loeries/Turaco’s, and even a pair of spotted eagle owls!! Swimming up-river is also a must…the water is always warm! (Except in winter….of course….)
We paddle as much or as little as you wish. Dinner in the Rondavels after sundowners on the riverbank.
Day Three
Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 16km
Exertion: Light
This is without doubt the most beautiful stretch of coastline on the whole Garden Route. A walk from the magnificent beach at Goukamma Nature Reserve to Platbank, near Sedgefield. Unspoilt beach, mussel beds, sandstone cliffs, Oyster Catchers by the dozen…..and a myriad of other life forms in the intertidal zone are the order of the day. The actual walking takes 3-4 hours but today is a day for swimming in the awesome rock pools of the oyster banks...
Knysna Forest Tours will collect the guests from the carpark at Platbank (Sedgefield) and transfer you back to Knysna…….after a cold beer!!
The cost per person sharing for this hike for is:
Enquire for group rate discounts.
These rates include all meals, all accommodation, all transfers, all permits, and of course Tony Cook as your guide.
The rate does not include alcoholic beverages.
Please bring:
Hats
Sunblock ( Lots!!!. SPF Factor 30 or above, this walk is 90% in the open…..lots of sun!!)
3 water bottles. (There is no water available on this walk. Guests will be required to carry enough water for 5 hours in the sun.)
Trainers for walking
Slipslops
Casual clothes for the evening
Mozzie repellent
Towel/costume
Enquire now.
Terms and conditions:
Booking in advance is essential and a 50% deposit will be required upfront to confirm all bookings. Balance is to be paid in full one week prior to departure.
Deposits become non-refundable one month prior to departure. Should a cancellation occur between the confirmation date and one month prior to departure then a 25% ( of the full amount) cancellation fee will be charged.
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