Discover the Magnificence of the Whale Trail
The Whale Trail
Embark on an extraordinary adventure along the Whale Trail, a six-day, five-night hiking experience in the breathtaking De Hoop Nature Reserve. Nestled within the Western Cape’s diverse floral wonderland, this trail promises an unforgettable journey of exploration.
Join us as we guide you through this ecological gem, with expert FGASA Field and Marine guides Ralph and Gill leading the way. With over nine years of experience and more than 20 successful Whale Trails, they are the ultimate companions for your hiking expedition.
For just R2190.00 per person per day, you will enjoy fully catered and guided accommodation that truly represents incredible value for money.
Immerse Yourself in the Whale Trail Hike Experience
Tour Day 1 – Potberg
Welcome to De Hoop!
Your journey commences at the enchanting Potberg Hut within the heart of the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, take a moment to absorb the serene surroundings and gaze up at the mesmerizing Southern Cross illuminating the night sky.
Prepare your taste buds for a delightful South African barbecue paired with exceptional regional wines, as you bond with fellow adventurers. Afterwards, Ralph and Gill will provide you with a comprehensive briefing, ensuring you feel fully prepared for the upcoming trail.
The Whale Trail
Securing a spot on the prestigious Whale Trail can be challenging since bookings are made a year in advance. However, if you have a specific date in mind, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will go above and beyond to accommodate your request, ensuring an unforgettable Whale Trail experience.
Explore the wonders of the De Hoop Nature Reserve with us today!
Noetsie coast
New diningroom
Noetsie dinning room/kitchen 2015
A view point on the Hamerkop leg
December 2015 birthday celebration
cliffs
The back-trail, Spectacular cliffs
Tea and Coffee
Coffee break on the 2008 trail
cliffs
The back-trail, Spectacular cliffs
A view point on the Hamerkop leg
December 2015 birthday celebration
New diningroom
Noetsie dinning room/kitchen 2015
Stilgat ladder
Stilgat cave ladder
Vaalkrans Hut
SouthernRight whales
The Southern Right Whale in the mating season
Dinner at Cupido’s
The Whale Trail South Africa
HIKE DAY 1
Potberg to Cupidoskraal 15 km
On the Whale Trail we all rise early for a hearty breakfast, fueling for our Potberg ascent. The climb to the highest point of the trail is fragranced with fynbos of the Erica and protea species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Keep your eyes peeled for the gliding Cape Vultures or Griffons and at the top we take time out to marvel at the view over some well deserved refreshments.
HIKE DAY 2
Cupidoskraal to Noetsie 15km
The Whale Trail follows the crest of the Potberg through mountain fynbos with unequaled views of the Indian Ocean and the Breede River. The route finally exits Potberg and leads onto limestone hills with strikingly different fynbos, then descends to the enchanting bay of Noetsie as we arrive at the coast.
HIKE DAY 3
Noetsie to Hamerkop 7.8km The breathtaking viewing of whales & dolphins from the cliffs on the Whale Trail, ancient shell middens and caves , make this stretch of coastline an adventurers’ paradise. We lunch at Stilgat and take time out to cool off in the rock pools & explore the caves.
HIKE DAY 4
Hamerkop to Vaalkrans 10.5km
On the fourth day of the Whale Trail, 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 and observe the remarkable inter tidal pools, calcrete formations and blow holes. The last stretch to Vaalkrans ambles through diverse coastal vegetation before we reach our accommodation situated on top a cave .
The Whale Trail
HIKE DAY 5
Vaalkrans to Koppie Alleen 7km
We do a short hike on the final day of the trail, through coastal thickets with ample time to admire the scenery and swim in Hippo Pools. In peak whale season anything up to 50 whales can be seen in this vicinity. From Koppie Alleen we are taken by shuttle back to Potberg where we collect our baggage and say goodbye to the jewel of Cape Nature’s Floral Kingdom– The De Hoop Nature Reserve.
At R 13 000.00 PER PERSON Its A STEAL
Whale Trail Price until the end of 2023. Cape Nature may be increasing the price from 2024
R 13 000.00 per person includes 3 meals, 1 X cold beverage at the end of each day and one glass of wine. Professionally guided by FGASA qualified guides with the experience of 24 Whale Trails. At R 2166.00 per person per day - including accommodation, fully catered and guided, its a steal.
Because of the remoteness of the De Hoop Nature Reserve and the potential cell phone communication difficulty, we also carry a satellite phone to enable helicopter evacuation in the case of a life threatening emergency.
Whale Trail Price until the end of 2023. Cape Nature may be increasing the price from 2024
R 13 000.00 per person includes 3 meals, 1 X cold beverage at the end of each day and one glass of wine. Professionally guided by FGASA qualified guides with the experience of 24 Whale Trails. At R 2166.00 per person per day - including accommodation, fully catered and guided, its a steal.
Because of the remoteness of the De Hoop Nature Reserve and the potential cell phone communication difficulty, we also carry a satellite phone, to enable helicopter evacuation in the case of a life threatening emergency.
Lunch at Melkhout river
Melkhout river crossing
Hamerkop
Dinner at Hamerkop
Kushke family Oct 2018
Family Whale Trail 2008
Family at Potberg hut
Vaalkrans Hut
Groot kloof
Descending to lunch at Melkhout River
Cliff path
Kushke family Oct 2018
Dinner at Cupido’s
Family Whale Trail 2008
Family at Potberg hut
Tea and Coffee
Coffee break on the 2008 trail
Backtrail near Hamerkop
Cliff path to Hamerkop
The Whale Trail
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.
