Kouga Baviaans Hike

Details & Itinerary

The Kouga Baviaans Hike is a circular 54km hike over 4 days/3 nights in the heart of the Kouga Mountain range and the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Reserve, with a view of the Baviaanskloof Mountains.

Access to the start/finish of the hike is via the southern access road to the Baviaanskloof from Kareedouw, only 30km on a good dirt road, and it includes one mountain pass, the Moordenaars Kloof. It will be possible to fly to Port Elizabeth International and shuttle to Mooigedacht (not included in the rate).

Hikers meet on the farm Mooigedacht in the Nooitgedacht Farming Community, where the vehicles will stay for the duration of the hike.

Availability
The hike is available to groups between 4 and 14, however not recommended in the very hot summer months.
A 50% deposit will secure your booking. The remainder is payable 6 weeks before the hike.

Distance – it is 54km with a total elevation of around 2 000m. Prepare yourself for 6 – 8 hours hiking (including stops) every day. Please leave the electronics at home! If you do record this route, you are not allowed to share it as it goes over state land and private property, both not open to the public.

Daily Routine
The coffee/tea/hot chocolate station is available throughout the journey – mornings and evenings and also on the road – we stop after each 5km (give or take, anything up to 2 hours) to boil the kettle. We also have Energade mix. For the rest, we transport the luggage and you have fun!
Itinerary

Day 1
Make your way to the Nooitgedacht Farming Community, 30km from Kareedouw (make sure you get a pin and emergency cell nr as there is no reception on the last bit of the road).
Pierre and Carine Strydom will settle you into your rooms. You can enjoy an unguided 3km out-and-back hike to the waterfall but make sure you are back no later than 17h00.
Before supper, Pierre will do a short demonstration of how working border collies operate on a sheep farm, showing off Kyla, the 2022 SA Border Collie Champion. You will meet the support crew over dinner.

Day 2
The hike starts and finishes on Mooigedacht. The 18km distance includes one steep uphill, which you will tackle shortly after breakfast, taking you up on the escarpment with beautiful vistas before your descent to the Bokmakierie Camp Site, where lunch is served.
The last 6km of the hike past Nuyga meanders along the Ragels River back to Nooitgedacht, where a honeybush tea tasting is served at the Melmont Factory over a short talk.

Day 3
The 15km winding road to Entkraal, a remote outpost on a cattle and honeybushtea farm, starts with the first incline of the day, before it winds down to the Koude Kortkloof where lunch will be enjoyed. The last 8km to Entkraal goes through a beautiful Kloof with cycads, aloes and fynbosch.

Day 4
A short section past a Kraal leads to the southern access road into the Baviaanskloof, with a steep descent to a Mis where tea will be enjoyed. The section over a mountain to get to Joubertskraal Farm follows cattle tracks. We will meet farmers Anton and Saskia Boonzaaier for lunch after about 13km. The last 5km will take you back to Mooigedacht.
It is recommended to book another night at Mooigedacht and only depart the next morning

Accommodation and Meals

Accommodation

We stay in restored historical cottages and an old outpost. No single supplements are available, you must be willing to share rooms and bathrooms. If you want to rather sleep in a tent at Entkraal, you can rent one but will have to pitch it yourself. You will need a sleeping bag, pillow and towels.

Catering

Breakfasts usually include eggs with a protein, plus coffee/tea and rusks, and instant oats. Lunch is a protein, sandwich, fruit, boiled egg plus a snack pack (energy bar, biltong/dry wors, peanuts, and a sweet).

Dinners vary from braai, potjie to chicken with salads – true Baviaans “boerekos”. Catering for vegetarians and vegans is possible, although we recommend bringing your own supplements. Make sure we are aware of any dietary requirements and allergies (nie fiemies nie).

Guiding and Support
99% of the route has no cell phone reception (bliss!!).

Eric will be in the support vehicle, which is there for luggage (and emergencies), and not an easy ride out! What you start, you will have to finish. A guide will be with you all the time.

What do you need

  • Hiking gear
  • A day backpack
  • Hiking poles (we recommend 2)
  • Water containers (bottles or camel backs)
  • Towels
  • Sleeping bags with small pillow
  • Cutlery (we supply a mug and plate).

Compulsory in your backpack: space blanket, whistle, and head lamp.

Be prepared for unexpected extreme heat or severe cold, including rainstorms – bring a good rain coat or poncho, buffs, gloves. And remember, you are hiking in a mountain range, every day will bring its own ups and downs!

Luggage allowance

Your luggage must fit into one medium K-Way type of bag – no suitcases please, maximum 15kg. Your sleeping bag, pillow and extra warm jacket don’t have to fit into the bag.

Rates and Pax

Rates for 2023

The rate includes a guide, and two people in the support vehicle, 3 nights’ accommodation and three meals a day (starting with supper on day 1, ending with lunch on day 4), snack packs, fruit, rusks and biscuits, aid stations, luggage transfer, permits, water and ice. We will supply an honesty bar.

Group size 4: R10 500 pp
Group size 8: R7 500 pp
Group size 10: R6 500 pp
Group size 12+: R6 000 pp