Cape Nature Whale Trail Booking.

The Whale Trail Booking, with Africansunroad, is a 6 day 5 night coastal wilderness hiking trail. In one of the planets most beautiful & ecologically diverse floral kingdoms. The De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape, South Africa. We consider it a privilege to be part of a Whale Trail.  Our Whale Trail Bookings are professionally guided by FGASA Field and  Marine and Cape Tourism guides  husband and wife team Ralph and Gill, who have been leading adventures since 1992. 

Southern Right Whales

Cape Nature Reserves

Trail Bookings

Tour start

Welcome to The Whale Trail Booking, so this is where your adventure begins. Therefore we all meet  at Potberg Hut in the De Hoop Nature Reserve at 14 H 00 on the booked date.  And remember that your transfer to De Hoop can be arranged if required.

After checking in, you will have some time to orientate yourself and soak up the setting of the Potberg Hut. The location is set on the edge of the indigenous Fynbos of the De Hoop Reserve. So while sitting under the Southern Cross, and enjoying the night sky you will be treated to a traditional SA braai (barbecue) paired with regional wines. Thereafter a thorough briefing of the hike and what can be expected on the trail will be given by your guide.

Your HIKE DAY 1    

Potberg to Cupidoskraal    15 km

On day one of the Whale Trail Hike Booking. First of all, we rise early for a hearty breakfast, because we need fuel for our Potberg ascent. It’s the climb to the highest point of the trail and is fragranced with Fynbos of the Erica and Protea species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Also keep your eyes peeled for the soaring Cape Vultures, and at the top as we take time out to marvel at the view over some well deserved refreshments at the view point.

Whale Trail Booking

HIKE DAY 2   Cupidoskraal to Noetsie    15 km

On day two of The Whale Trail Booking. Because the trail follows the crest of the Potberg through mountain fynbos with unequaled views of the Indian Ocean and the Breede River. Our route finally exits Potberg and leads onto limestone hills with strikingly different fynbos, and then descends to the enchanting bay of Noetsie as a result we arrive at the coast. And finally the famous Noetsie Hut that we have all been waiting for, and our first of three huts on the coast that we can look forward to for the rest of the trail.

The Whale Trail Booking

On DAY 3  

Noetsie to Hamerkop    7.8 km

So from Noetsie the trail follows the coastline for the next three days and as a result we have a great possibility of seeing pods of Bottlenose and common Dolphins,  as well as the famous Southern Right Whales.

And on day three of The Whale Trail Booking, we prepare for the breathtaking viewing of whales & dolphins from the cliffs, besides the ancient shell middens and caves, that make this stretch of coastline an adventurers’ paradise. And most noteworthy are the numerous calcrete formations that look like a sculpture park on the white beach.

So we lunch at Stilgat a secluded beach protected form the surf by rock pools and sandstone cliffs with 2 caves to explore. And we also take time out, first of all to cool off in the rock pools and have lunch and then finally to explore the caves. The views from the cliffs are breathtakingly beautiful on The Whale Trail Booking.

Trail Bookings

HIKE DAY 4  

Hamerkop to Vaalkrans    10.5 km

So on day four of The Whale Trail Booking, most of the day is spent walking on the white beach sand. Spot the shy oyster catchers and white-breasted cormorants as they bask in the sun.  Then observe the remarkable inter tidal pools, calcrete formations and above all the blow holes. There are plenty of swimming opportunities along this section, so keep your swimming costume handy to the end on the trail. And the last stretch to Vaalkrans ambles through diverse coastal vegetation before we reach our accommodation situated on top a cave.

The Whale Trail Booking

On the final DAY 5  

Vaalkrans to Koppie Alleen    7 km

Sadly this is the final day of The Whale Trail Booking, and its a short hike through coastal thickets with ample time to admire the scenery. As a result we make the most of our time together and enjoy lunch and a a swim in the Hippo Pools. In whale season anything up to 50 whales can be seen in this vicinity, and this a great place to swim and snorkel.  So our trail ends as we arrive at Koppie Alleen where we are taken by shuttle back to Potberg.  And finally we collect our baggage and say goodbye to the jewel of Cape Nature’s Floral Kingdom– The De Hoop Nature Reserve.

General information regarding the trail

• De Hoop Nature Reserve is 230 km from Cape Town International airport.(Transfer to & from Potberg for your own cost, can be arranged) Please ensure that your flight arrives in the morning and get to Potberg at around 14h00.
• The route stretches over 58km from Potberg to Koppie Alleen and includes 5 overnight stops.
• Trail limit is 12 people per trip (10 guests) and is termed “slack-packing”, a term used when one has the convenience of a portage facility. Hikers need only to carry a small day-pack with water, camera, rain jacket, sun screen etc.
• The trail is exclusive in that you will not meet other hikers on the trail.
• The trail will be fully catered for and special dietary requirements met as far as possible.
• Requirements: sleeping bag, day pack, hiking boots & clothing.

(Hiring of equipment can be arranged)

• Accommodation on the trail is in a series of cottages with mostly 3 bedrooms with 4 bunk beds each.
• A 70 liter container is issued to each person for personal belongings and this is transported to the next overnight stop.

Requirements and assumptions:

• It is a requirement that all hikers have adequate medical cover to facilitate any potential medical emergency, and relevant evacuation that may arise or be required while on a Whale Trail guided and provided for by Africansunroad. This assumption also applies to individual family members of family groups. All Whale Trail hikers are required to be fit enough to complete 2Km/h in mountainous terrain, this equates to 5Km/h on level terrain to enable the completion of the daily hikes.

Includes the following:

• Professionally Guided (FGASA Field Guides and Marine, Cape Tour & Wine Guide)
• First Aid & back-up assistance

Excludes:

• Any medical costs relating to a medical emergency, and relevant evacuation that may arise while on a Whale Trail.
• Any additional accommodation either before or after the trail, or as advertised by Africansunroad.
• Accommodation and meals should a hikers leave, or be removed from the trail for any reason including medical.
• Drinks at restaurants.
• Unscheduled taxi transfers and other transportation to or from the De Hoop Reserve.
• Loss or damage to Africansunroad client vehicles parked at Potberg, before, during or after the hike.
• Cost of removal or evacuation of persons on the Whale Trail Hike guided by Africansunroad.
• Loss or damage to equipment used on the trail.