From the dark lands of The Whale Trail Adventure to…
This Whale Trail Adventure was my 5th whale trail and its beauty still takes my breath away!
Whale Trail Adventure
Whale Trail Adventure – there had been an extensive burn in the De Hoop Reserve in mid September and only as we walked out of the lush valley of the Potberg Hut and started our ascent of the Potberg mountain did we notice its effect. On this Whale Trail Adventure the landscape had a “Lord of the Rings” feel because of the fire. The burnt out protea bushes rattled in the breeze and the naked pathway was highlighted as far as the eye could see. My heart was a little heavy as I recalled the lush green and protea-rich slopes of a previous Whale Trail Adventure, but on closer examination the bareness opened to us a view of miniature fynbos flowers and succulents rarely seen. The variety of shrublets, perennial and annual herbs and flowers was spectacular. On the December Whale Trail Adventure we were treated to an excellent sighting of the Cape Vultures soaring in the Potberg thermals.
One of the highlights of the day on the Whale Trail Adventure was lunch break and cool-off at the Melkhout River crossing. After arriving at the original Cupidoskraal’s hut we entered a forested area leaving the ‘dark lands’ after a fairly strenuous 15km and then walked 800m from the original Cupidoskraal’s burnt-out shell to the overnight accommodation.
Cupidoskraal to Noetsie.
part of the Whale Trail Adventure is also a moderately strenuous hike along the crest of the Potberg with fantastic views of the Breede River and the valley. Once more the burnt seemingly barren slopes opened a window to interesting flower discoveries .
This dwarf woolly moss-like shrublet –Bryomorphe aretioides for example, is found on sandstone rocks and crevices above 1000 m in the area. Noetsie on the Whale Trail Adventure has been revamped and the huts are beautiful,the dining area has glass panels allowing for excellent views of the seashore.We cooled off in the sea, explored caves and chilled out after deciding to skip lunch on the trail in favour of getting to the sea. It’s certainly the best overnight hut on the trail and one always wishes one had another day there.
A view point on the Hamerkop leg
December 2015 birthday celebration
Vaalkrans Hut
Stilgat ladder
Stilgat cave ladder
cliffs
The back-trail, Spectacular cliffs
Dinner at Cupido’s
SouthernRight whales
The Southern Right Whale in the mating season
New diningroom
Noetsie dinning room/kitchen 2015
Tea and Coffee
Coffee break on the 2008 trail
A view point on the Hamerkop leg
December 2015 birthday celebration
New diningroom
Noetsie dinning room/kitchen 2015
cliffs
The back-trail, Spectacular cliffs
Noetsie coast
Noetsie to Hamerkop
The Whale Trail Adventure walk from Noetsie to Hamerkop is mostly along the cliff, a moderate 10 km with so many magic inter tidal pools to explore. Its definitely one of my most favourite stretches. We stopped off for lunch & snorkeling at Stilgat which has a couple of caves to explore as well. The last stretch of the Whale Trail Adventure from Noetsie is along a pristine white beach which is quite a work-out and we were happy to reach the Hamerkop hut. I was particularly happy after hobbling the entire day. I had broken a cardinal hiking rule and sprained my ankle hopping around on rocks without my boots. Stupido !!!! Bridget & I had trained as nurses together at the Johannesburg Hospital in the early eighties and had only just reconnected after 30 yrs. Such a special time catching up and it felt as though we just picked up our friendship where we left off.
Cliff path
Backtrail near Hamerkop
Cliff path to Hamerkop
Groot kloof
Descending to lunch at Melkhout River
Tea and Coffee
Coffee break on the 2008 trail
Family Whale Trail 2008
Family at Potberg hut
Dinner at Cupido’s
Kushke family Oct 2018
Vaalkrans Hut
Family Whale Trail 2008
Family at Potberg hut
Lunch at Melkhout river
Melkhout river crossing
Hamerkop
Dinner at Hamerkop
Kushke family Oct 2018
Highlight of the evening was a visit from a genet to our braai area.
Hamerkop to Vaalkrans
is the second last day of the Whale Trail Adventure a distance 10.5 km of beach and coastal pathways, another stunning part of the whale trail.We spotted a lot of oyster catchers & the beach ‘rock art’ is beautiful. The beaches are white with so many fascinating rock pools to investigate and little coves to explore. The Whale Trail Adventure is an adventure, a scenic feast and a delight to the soul. The stone house Vaalkrans is built on the cavernous clifftop and the view is stunning.
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.
It's a Steal
Due to its immense popularity, a booking on the De Hoop Whale Trail is very difficult to secure. Bookings are made 1 year in advance through Cape Nature. The trail is professionally guided by FGASA qualified marine, field and Cape tourism guides. Ralph has been guiding since 1992, together the guiding team has experience of 24 Whale Trails
Whale Trail Price until the end of 2023. Cape Nature may be increasing the price from 2024
R 13 250.00 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 2208.00 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.
Because of the Covid-19 Pandemic, unfortunately the world we live in has changed forever. Please note that all the prices quoted are subject to change because of local and global conditions.
As a result there have been many additional restrictions placed on us (Africansunroad.com) by our suppliers and providers, some of which we have been required to pass on down the line, and we trust that you understand.
Please note; Africansunroad reserves the right to amend food and trail prices to cover inflation related price increases. The clients deposit payment serves as notification that all the conditions have been read, understood and accepted.
Obviously we will try our best to stick to the the prices as quoted throughout this vast website. Any changes will be communicated at the time of booking, and your booking confirmation price will remain fixed.
Please be advised that all quotes expire after 14 days from the date they are sent, thereafter amended prices may apply.
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.
