General help for overseas visitors to the Berg

Not sure, i did it in December 2014. But maybe change since then?

Stijn wrote: As far as I know, the Swellendam Trail has been closed for the last few years. With a tent, I'd recommend heading 3h North of Cape Town to the Cederberg wilderness area. It's similar to the Drakensberg in that you can pretty much hike and camp where you like. It also has a good trail network and some fantastic peaks to climb. The best access points for hiking are probably Algeria Forest Station and Sanddrif Campsite.

Adrew r, last time I did the Tsitsikamma it was different from the Otter trail in that the Tsitsikamma did not follow the coastline, it was an inland trail whereas the Otter trail followed the costline. Has this now changed?

@Riaang: you're right! it is not the same thing and I stand corrected. The Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail is a 6-day (60km) trail that goes between Nature's Valley & Storms River Mouth but inland, as opposed to the Otter Trail which stays close to the coastline.

Thanks for the head's up, I will also correct my original post.

that's embarrassing! what an advert for SA.. cows in Commissioner street then?!

Can't say I'm surprised since I was attacked by a gang in Mooi Street right in front of a BMW dealership in broad daylight in 2010

Best of luck for the rest of your stay in SA!

Sorry for the late contribution.
I was informed a while back that the Otter Trail (12 spaces per night) regularly has last-minute cancellations, probably due to the fact that bookings have to be made 12 months in advance. I was told that you could arrive on any day and the chances are good that you could get onto that day's hike due to cancellations.
You could phone to find out more about it: Central Reservations (0124265111 - although I doubt they would know about last-minute cancellations) or Storms River (0422811607).
The Otter Trail is well worth it - one of South Africa's classics.
Neil.

So sorry flying morad. It could have been me. Good for you carrying on.

I highly recommend doing the Otter - Tsitsikamma as a loop. They are hut to hut no tent needed. They have "lapa"s (outdoor kitchen) at every hut with firewood and pots so no need to bring a stove but I often do for a quick breakfast.
Both say you cannot travel solo but both will put you on if others are traveling. Just insist you are okay being put on the trail with people you don't know. Don't take no. They tend to be full Dec-Jan but not April.

In Natures Valley stay at Wild Spirit Backpackers www.wildspiritlodge.co.za/ +27 44 534 8888 Fantastic hiking and food. Stay a few days.
At Storms River stay at Tstitsikamma backpackers www.tsitsikammabackpackers.co.za/contact-us/ - clean, well managed, good folk. (Tube and Axe is for sex/drinkers/druggies, don't know Djembi)
Telephone: +27 (42) 281 1868 Cellphone: +27 (81) 320 3977 (during office hours)Coordinates: South 33° 55.253 , East 23° 52.999 Address: 54 Formosa Street, Stormsriver Village, Tsitsikamma

What I did was leave my Otter supplies with management at Tsitiskamma Backpackers, drove back to Natures Valley and hiked the Tstitsikamma Trail, which ends on the Storms River Bridge but it isn't far to hike into Storm's river towm - go through the forest. Took a 3 day break in Storms River (laundry etc) then hiked the Otter. They gave me a ride to the Otter HQ (in the national park).

On the Otter there is one "dangerous" River crossing, the Bloukranz on day 4. You must plan. I had to swim both times I did it. I hike (both trails!) in Teva sandals so no need for me to change shoes, but you might. My pack is tiny on purpose. I did two black garbage bags - my pack went in the first and sealed with a knot no air, then that goes in the second filled with air and knotted, then a rope around the knot to my wrist, so I can swim and not worry about holding it. I did hold it but could let go if I needed to. I was the only one to get across because I planned. (The others hiked to the highway and got a ride.) On the other side there is a rope and you climb the cliff holding the rope. If you are lucky at low tide it may be a walk across the sandbar at the ocean. The dangerous part is never swim with an outgoing tide as you can be sucked out to sea. Look online, there are a number of people who luckily were rescued. You have to consult the moon (tidal tables) to know the time of low tide and hit it just after low if you can. But an incoming tide is safe but you swim as I did.

I'll help any way I can. Others gave you the contact info and number of days. Let us know if you have trouble making your bookings.

I have never hiked the Outeniqua trail because they really would not permit a solo hiker.

Oneye wrote: In Natures Valley stay at Wild Spirit Backpackers www.wildspiritlodge.co.za/ +27 44 534 8888 Fantastic hiking and food. Stay a few days.
At Storms River stay at Tstitsikamma backpackers www.tsitsikammabackpackers.co.za/contact-us/ - clean, well managed, good folk. (Tube and Axe is for sex/drinkers/druggies, don't know Djembi)
Telephone: +27 (42) 281 1868 Cellphone: +27 (81) 320 3977 (during office hours)Coordinates: South 33° 55.253 , East 23° 52.999 Address: 54 Formosa Street, Stormsriver Village, Tsitsikamma

Years ago in my wilder days I dated the then hospitality manager of Tsitsikamma Lodge. It used to be a really great spot but haven't been there for years. And since she left I cannot say for sure if the staff are still so sexy.

Tube and Axe sounds like fun. I need a break so maybe I should meet you there dude.

Travel safe and have fun!

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In Capetown area there are a number of great hikes.

Cape Point Hut to hut - contact Table Mountain national park www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/
You need to buy a card or pay the conservation fee. But you will on the Otter as well, so add up if a card is worth it.
Getting to Cape Point is difficult. No public transport. But the lighthouse keeper might help (did me last time!)

There is also the Hoerikwago also managed by TMNP. Took the train from Muzenberg to Simonstown then a bus from Simonstown and hitch hiked to one hut - the lighthouse at Kommetjie, then hiked across the continental divide to Simonstown and took the train back to Muzenberg. But I understand there are many huts and they add more all the time.

In the winelands (stellenbosch) there are lots of hikes. In the Boland (above Sir Lowry's Pass) there are some hut to huts. Bosmansbos is one out of Grabouw.

In the little Karroo I once did a hut to hut called Swartberg. It was fantastic. I think Outshoorn was the nearest town. Kango caves nearby but too commercial for me.

Sorry I am doing this from memory.

Hi all !

I am back in my hometown of Lille, France. I gave up on a multiday hike as transportation/reservation was a problem. I went to Cape Point and De Hoop Nature Reserve. I saw some beautiful landscapes !
I had to go back 3 days in Joburg to get my emergency passport.
I would like to thank all the people who contributed with information and even took the time to make calls, look for information... That was REALLY REALLY appreciated guys !!!!! I love this forum.
This is not the last that South Africa sees of me. I will come back for the Drakensberg !

Here are a few pictures from my trip :
www.moradlenomade.fr/lens_galleries/south-africa/

I'm sorry I didn't see this post earlier as I could have offered some advice/assistance as I'm on a bit of a "holiday" at the moment, and live in Cape Town. We have some brilliant hiking here. Tuesday and Wednesday this week I was in the Grootwinterhoek area, really lovely. The Cederberg is a must for any hiker in South Africa

Having lived for 13 years before in Johannesburg I can comment that Commissioner street is definitely a place to avoid! Sorry you had to experience that. I hope that you can return another time and enjoy our country. But next time, get some advice on where to stay and the "do's and don'ts"! Especially in Jhb