Month: May 2019

We slept in and had a nice breakfast! Then we drove to the Heads Lookout and walked around a bit. The “Heads” are two cliffs separated only by the lagoon as a gate to the sea and guard so to speak the city of Knysna. The view from there is phenomenal. You can look far out over the ocean and into the lagoon towards the town. There are also some great villas there to admire. We met at the viewpoint Alessa and Thomas from Hanover and exchanged with the two determined 1h. They came from the opposite direction along the Garden Route and were also already in other corners of Africa.

After that we went to see the city a little bit and went shopping. Today we had a nice barbecue with veggieburger for me and ostrich steak for Reiner.

Silke

We slept a little longer and then first checked out. Afterwards we went to the laundry. While the washing machine was running we could watch the waves and the beach.A whale swam by about 100 m from shore. Dassies played in the rocks.

Huge fountains of spray splashed over the rocks. Beautiful sunshine made our laundry dry quickly. A seagull swooped by as we ate our cheese crispbread. Then we continued again along the N2 (Garden Route) to Knysna, where we stayed in a nice apartment (Footprints of Knysna). Although today is Mother’s Day and Sunday, many stores are open and we could still shop for dinner. We’re having broccoli-cauliflower-carrot vegetables in cheese sauce with oven bread!

Silke

We started walking at a little after 8:00 and walked over rocks “dry” feet across the Klip River. Then it was a steep climb up to the cliff edge to warm up! But then most of today’s hike was along the plateau via a dirt road. Beautiful views and gorgeous flowers.

I definitely needed my sun hat today too! Beautiful sunshine. Then came the view of Nature ‘s Valley and the steep descent.

The beach is really beautiful. We walked through the sand for a bit and then ducked back into the forest. We continued shaded for another 4 km. We had to cross another small river and this time the difficulty was not to give the curious monkeys an opportunity to snatch socks or cameras or similar things. A deer crossed our path and we saw several more parrots high in the trees. At the end of the trail at De Vasselot Restcamp, which we reached at 3:11 pm, we proudly and happily each received a certificate.

An acquaintance of the ranger drove us for 550 Rand back to the Storms River Mouth Camp, where we rented a Forest Hut again for today. Since we did not have so much cash with us, we made a detour to the ATM 6 km away. In the camp we weighed our backpacks again. In the end we brought back 2.5 kg of food. And we could have saved one kilo of clothes each. Snorkel equipment and shaving gear were also superfluous. But afterwards one is always smarter. In any case, the Otter Trail is a very special experience and for us a highlight on our world trip.

Silke

Mega exhausting! From 7:00 am with time pressure on my neck climbed over rock walls and everything hurt! At km 6 I wanted to turn around. (There are Escape Routes, but there you have to walk 3-4 km through the bush to have internet connection or phone). So grit your teeth and get through! Time pressure because you have to cross the Bloukrans River at Km 10 1/2 h after low tide. (today 13:57 o’clock) There the water is “only” waist high. Otherwise it is very dangerous because the surf can wash you up against the sharp cliffs! Sim and his young men were waiting for us there, because the hikers are supposed to help each other if necessary. The guys kindly carried my backpack across. (Reiner would have walked twice otherwise).

On the other side we went steeply up the rock walls and 3.8 km further to André ‘s Hut!

The last few steps I used my walking sticks like crutches!!! (-; We didn’t feel like having a campfire today and used the gas stove to boil water for noodle soup. The little Jägermeister (with hot water and sugar) revived us a bit. The open-air shower here is especially nice, with a great view of the beach and sunset.

In the cottage, we only just noticed the candle holders on the walls, as there was still a candle in them. Better than tea lights! Of course, the hiking trail was also beautiful. Fabulous viewpoints and especially many unusual flowers. And “our” low tide was really good too. Some hikers have to start at 4 or 5 to be at Bloukrans River for low tide! And the weather was also just right!

Silke

Today we started at 7:30am in the sunshine. There were a total of 3 river crossings with 2 times “changing tires”.

Again the trail offered us up and down forest trails, cliff paths, rocks and stairs. Every now and then, idyllic jungle backdrops and gorgeous ocean views.

Cormorants sitting on the rocks, huge colorful grasshoppers in the middle of the path.

Many beautiful flowers are blooming, although winter is actually starting here.

Arriving at Oakhurst Hut Camp (2:28pm), we first had another refreshing shower. A sunset campfire, mashed potatoes, coffee and marshmallows.

Oh yes, also another fat spider on the toilet!

Silke

After a breakfast of porridge and coffee, we set off at 7:45am in drizzle. Along the cliffs to Skilderkrans, a viewpoint on the rocks.

Then came the first of eleven river crossings through the Kleinbos River. On sandals through knee-deep water. We continued past Blue Bay (beautiful sandy beach cove) and up a steep 156m climb. We reached Scott Hut at 14:55, which is located directly at the mouth of the Geelhoutbos River. In the meantime the sun was shining again. We were with the feet in the Indian Ocean and went then nevertheless rather immediately (cold) shower. Afterwards we enjoyed the last sunbeams on our balcony. At each hut there is a fireplace with grate, where you can also grill. Reiner collected firewood and we made a campfire today. We were able to heat our pot of water for soup on it.

This was accompanied by a warming grog. At dusk, an otter ran along the riverbank in front of our cabin. He swam out to sea. There was also a civit scurrying around our cabin.

Silke

At 10:00 am we checked out at the camp. Then watched the 20 min DVD of the Otter Trail and not much wiser signed the papers. There was a small booklet with map and tide times along the way. We would have liked more information beforehand and there was no outdoor gear like sleeping bags or waterproof plastic survival bags to buy or rent at the camp. Good thing we had researched that on the internet beforehand. In the “otter room” we weighed our backpacks (Reiner 22 Kg and I 16 Kg) and registered in the trail list. Maybe a bit too much? But we don’t want to freeze or starve either.

In a good mood with beautiful weather we started the Otter Trail, which is marked with yellow paws and arrows. At the Guano Cave we had the 1st rest with butter bread. There we saw seals and dolphins swimming in the water. Then we went on to the waterfall, where we could also go swimming. But the water was not so inviting, because a bit brownish, with floating particles.

We continued climbing over rocks to Ngubu Hut. We are only 5 hikers in total. The other three are Sim with son and son-in-law. There can always only a maximum of 12 hikers daily start, because there are also only 2 huts each with 6 beds at the overnight stays. The trail is usually booked up months in advance! But we have a 6-bed hut for us alone, (for the entire trail) because there were several cancellations. With two triple bunk beds per cabin luxury! We can really spread out. The Ngubu Hut offers views directly to the sea and an outdoor shower in the forest. In the toilet at night were two mouse-sized black spiders with red eyes. Fortunately not in the hut! In the evening it started to rain and thunderstorm. We prepared mashed potatoes and tea on our gas stove.

Silke

We left RELaxed City living at 10:00 am and arrived at Storms River Mouth Camp at 1:00 pm. We spend the night in a Forest Hut today. We took a short walk to the suspension bridge. The surf of the Indian Ocean is tremendous. We could see seals that had no problem bathing in the waves. Cormorants were sitting on the rocks and in a tree along the way we spotted the green and colorful Cape Parrot .

Storms River Mouth Suspension – Bridge

Cute rock lassies climbing around on a trash can in the picnic area. We also saw them running in the cliffs. In the evening we had pasta with schakalaka and then repacked our backpacks for the Otter Trail. Tomorrow we start.

Silke