Walk the clean, largely undeveloped Garden Route coast between Mossel Bay’s Cape St. Blaize and the Gourits River Mouth. The area is whale-watching and dolphin-watching heaven. And a birding heaven, too. Explore a part of the Garden Route where modern human behaviour first emerged.
You'll come away with a new appreciation for our planet. And for what it means to be human. Your luggage is transported by road - you carry only your day pack. And at night you relax in guest house luxury.

Book a guided ocean-side walking tour and choose between 2, 3 and 4 night trails. This is a suggested program for a 4 day Sandpiper Walkabout Trail:

Day 1

Begin your holiday with a boat trip to Seal Island in Mossel Bay. Then check in at Sandpiper Cottages in Boggomsbaai, and enjoy a traditional South African braai.

Day 2

Walk the St Blaize Hiking Trail - a contour path along the cliffs. You may choose to visit the Pinnacle Point Caves for an optional Point of Human Origins Tour along the way. At the end of today’s walk, the shuttle will return you to Sandpiper Cottages for dinner and overnight. Today’s walking: 15 km.

Day 3

After breakfast, walk from Boggomsbaai along the beach and rocky shoreline via Vleesbaai, Fransmanshoek, and Cape Vacca to Kanon. (For the fit and adventurous - there're some huge sand dunes on this route!) Return by road to Boggomsbaai for dinner and overnight at Sandpiper Cottages. Today’s walking: 21 km.

Day 4

Breakfast and prize giving at Sandpiper Leisure Centre. Visit the SAPREC Penguin Rehabilitation Centre en route to Mossel Bay.

The Amphitheatre is the most recognisable and dramatically imposing feature of the entire
Drakensberg range, a World Heritage Site significance. A mighty wall of basalt rises over 1000 metres from the Tugela valley to the Lesotho plateau nearly 3000 metres above sea level. The Amphitheatre Slackpacking trail has been planned to enable walkers of average ability to reach these heights and to be rewarded by awe inspiring, never-to-forgotten views from the top of the escarpment.

By spending 3 days and 3 nights on the route, staying at conveniently located lodges, and having the benefit of a hiking guide to make decisions on routes and weather conditions, it is possible for anyone who is reasonably fit to stand on "top of the world"!

Day 1

Arrive at the Drakensberg and enjoy the views of the Amphitheatre. Explore the area with an easy walk at the foot of the mountains.

Day 2

Meet your guide and start your hike. The trail starts at an altitude of 1500m going up through grasslands & protea stands to an altitude of 2286m. Get above the sandstone cliffs, with an option for a detour to see San rock art, and enjoy spectacular views across the Northern Drakensberg Valley and Metsi Matsho Dam. Once above the cliff line you straddle the border of 2 provinces: Kwa Zulu Natal and Free State.

Day 3

Today is a 16km return trip where you conquer the Sentinel Massif. Face your fears and climb the famous chain-ladders and get to Africa’s highest waterfalls the Tugela Falls with a drop of 614m. After a few hours on top of the escarpment you make your way back to
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge for dinner and a good night sleep.

Day 4

The last day is an easy day's walk down the Mahai River Valley and into the Royal Natal National Park. Along the way you will criss-cross the Mahai River several times, passing small waterfalls and pools, providing opportunity for a refreshing dip for the bold.