Cape Town Trail
The great Otter Trail in Cape Town, despite turning 50 earlier this year, is one of those beautiful hikes in the world which is rarely known to the world. This 42 km long hike, going past the exquisite South African beaches and crossing over 11 rivers, is a delight for people who like adventure in aesthetic lands. Challenged by numerous tourists every year, this adventurous trial goes past South Africa’s lesser known Garden Route. It engulfs the mouth of 11 rivers in its entire stretch starting from the Storms Rivers Mouth and ending at the Nature’s Valley. This 5 day long trail is a way for few to alleviate themselves from the stress, while many come here to enjoy the serene beauty and experience the challenge it throws up. The spectacular trial follows the marvelous coastline of South Africa’s Tsitsikamma National Park in the Eastern Cape. The grand Indian Ocean, clattering at the rocks, is among the few sounds one can hear in this area. The marvelous caves, cliffs and waterfalls, especially the multi-layered fall near the beginning, along with numerous rivers silently embracing the sea, make the location even more picturesque. Dolphins, seals and whales, along with the very rare Cape clawless otter, are few creatures that are not hard to locate during the hike. You’ll also find not one but numerous rare species of birds. The virgin forest and the widely known South African fynbos, spread along the beaches and over the cliffs, will stun you even more whereas the wildlife flowers are too good to avoid. The walk goes past numerous steep ascent and descent, while crossing 11 rivers, which demands great skills, planning and abilities, so you have to be physically as well as mentally ready to take up this hiking trial.
Overnight Trail
The trail with four overnight destinations has accommodation hut for only 12 people, which gets booked up pretty fast. So it is strictly recommended to make the bookings well in advance, like many others who book around a year ahead. There is no provision to get necessary items on the trail, so you must carry everything you’ll need, such as eatables, utensils, crockery, cutlery, flashlights and sleeping bags, along with cooking stoves. Ensure that all your belongings are packed in a waterproof carrier, as you might get wet more than often while crossing the river or in the rain. An overnight stay at the Storms River Mouth RestCamp – the starting point of the trail – is something you should look forward to, as this is one of the best camp grounds in the world. The rib feast and the South African wine are a few essentials you should have in the cheap restaurants at the Storms Mouth River RestCamp.
Tsitsikamma National Park Trail
Be advised to take up the trail in a group of 3-4 people, an early start is suggested for this, which should start by registering for the Otter at the Tsitsikamma National Park entry gates. The documents which you’ll get from here, especially the instruction manual to safely cross the rivers, the tide tables of rivers, and the route map are few things which you’ll really find useful during your 5 day long journey. Hopping past the huge boulders, there are little chances of getting lost, as the way is nicely marked with directions. There are 4 mandatory night camps, with hut facility for 12 people, and cold shower. You have to prepare your own meals and tenting is strictly prohibited. Dry stock of wood is supplied by Sanparks and is kept underneath the huts. Stream water can be used to drink but it is advised to treat it beforehand.
Hut to Hut Hiking
The first 4.8 km till the first mandatory overnight camp is pretty easy to hike. The second day begins with an uphill climb to Olienboomkop passing through the virgin forest. The journey is of 7.9 km before you make it to the second overnight camp at Scott Hut where Geelhoutbos River flows into the river offering quality swimming space in the fresh water. The third day journey ends at the Oakhurst huts crossing the Elandsbos and the Lottering while covering 7.7 km. The fourth day journey is the longest of all stretching over 13.8 km to the André Hut before crossing the dangerous Bloukrans River. It is advised to reach the river at the time of low tide, as mentioned in the manual provided at the beginning of the trail. The river is pretty hard to cross otherwise, so it’s better to wait for next 12 hours for the tide to get lower, instead of trying something else. After the night stay at the André Hut, the last day’s journey goes past the Swing River, while crossing a plateau en route to Nature’s Valley and stretches to around 6.8 km. There is a restaurant in the Nature’s Valley – the only restaurant of the valley – where you can get the Otter certificate and a ‘shot’ to celebrate the completion of your hike. You can get a shuttle or any other ride back to the starting point of the trail, while there are provisions to spend a night in the Valley as well.
South Africa Hiking Trail
The clambering and slippery rocks make the journey even more difficult but it is worth in gold to be part of this great expedition. The permit is not easy to get for the Otter Trail and you must have a little South Africa information to get the permit. There is no online registration process for the trail and the booking has to be made well in advance as the camping seats are quite low. Only 12 hikers are allowed to start each day. There are no refunds and you can’t replace others for your reservations. The booking fee of 4 nights in camp for this astonishingly rejuvenating trail is $95 for foreign nationals, while $53 has to be paid as conservation charges separately. It is extremely important to plan the season and timing of the trip, as harsh weather makes things difficult. The tide table has to be followed carefully, and high precautions have to be taken while hiking the Otter Trail. It rains a lot in this area and crossing the river might also make your belongings wet, so waterproof bag is a must have for you. There is hardly any mobile phone reception on this trail, with little exceptions. The escape points are many on this journey, but it’s better to keep track of things before taking up the expedition. Keep these points in mind before taking up the trail to this peaceful abode of wilderness and enjoy a great trip.
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Rohan is a freelance travel writer with a passion for traveling all around the world. He is currently working with ContinentTours.com and has written extensively about tourism in Africa and in many other continents.
