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Hunter Gatherer Trail
Mossel
Bay, Western Cape
Coastal
hiking has always been popular and this has been recognized by
private entrepreneurs as new trails open up along our Indian and
Atlantic Ocean coastlines on a regular basis. The Hunter Gatherer
Trail combines the stunning coastline of the Garden Route with the
ancient history of the Khoi San, the ancient inhabitants of the
area. Come and explore the coastline with experienced guides who
take great pride in interpreting the coastline for you.
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The Area
The area
and terrain that will be covered are the unspoilt
beaches east and west of Boggomsbaai, the rocky shores
from Vleesbaai to Fransmanshoek, the beaches and massive
dunes west of Fransmanshoek and a section of the Gourits
river. Daily and total distances can vary, depending on
the group and on the discoveries of the day. |
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Accommodation
There are 2 camps where hikers will stay
(a) Tented - edge of the dune camp, at Vleesbaai (
1st and 2nd nights) . All basic braai, cooling,
cooking and ablution facilities provided. Tents each
have 2 single beds with mattresses and pillows.
First 2 nights spent here.
(b) Pondokkie at Boggomsbaai (3rd and 4th nights) 1
dormitory bedroom with 6 bunk beds and comfortable
mattresses and 1 bedroom with double bed. Small
kitchen, 2 plate gas stove, no fridge, but ice and
cool boxes available. Lounge area with large open
cook-in fireplace and wood burning stove. Also
provided are mattress covers and a pillow. Outside
shower. Toilet, basin and indoor shower separate,
Outside braai lapa. Additional optional private tent
for two in the bush nearby available.
Nights 3 and 4 are spent here.
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Bedding
Hikers to provide their own sleeping bags.
Pillows provided.
Catering
Two options:-
(a) Self catering, whereby the hikers bring all
their own food
or
(b) We provide per person, food packs consisting of
selection of vegetables in season, fruit selection,
bread flower, maize flower, rice, milk, sugar,
coffee, tea, salt and pepper, basic spices, eggs,
butter, jam, cooking oil, yoghurt and muesli, Meat
packs consisting of the following options, sosaties-chicken
and beef, lamb chops, pork chops, boerewors,
ostrich.
General notes: (inclusive)
We provide all the wood for the braais.
Pots and pans and all cutlery and crockery available
• Hikers keep their camps and wash their own dishes
• Hikers prepare all their own meals
We have drinks available for sale.
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Day 1 Arrival
Self drive to Vleesbaai or pre arranged pick up
in afternoon near Mossel Bay..
18h00 Meet and greet and program discussion and
handout of maps and aerials Discussion of interest.
Elect a clan leader for group.
Night 1 Hikers braai and prepare
all meals as well as their own lunch packs. Study
maps and aerials for shore line walk next day. Read
about area’s history and ecology also history of
Khoi San (Hunter Gatherers) and their weapons, life
styles and diets.
Study given way points and locality of middens,
oystercatcher nests and many other marine organisms
of interest.
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Day 2 Breakfast and
preparation of lunch packs for the day - self
prepared. Rooms/tents to be neat, clean and
dishes washed and packed away. Braai area
cleaned up, fire doused and wood packed for
night’s fire. Day packs, lunch packs and water
bottles prepared by hikers. Depart on hike
approx 08h30 from camp either via Fransmanshoek
or via Kanon bay, depending on tides for the
day. Visit Fonteintjies, dune middens, fish
traps and observe the dynamics of beach, ocean,
birds, mammals and marine organisms as set out
above. Take costumes and snorkels for swim at
Fransmanshoek. Make notes of anything of
interest. Do not move too close to
Oystercatcher and Sand Plover nests. Do not
trample on sensitive dune vegetation or on
middens.Experience and explore the dynamics of a
living, sandy beach, a rocky shore, rich with
marine life, currents, tides, shore breeding
birds, marine organisms and sensitive dune
systems.Arrive back at overnight approx 16h00.
Go for shower and clean up and prepare for
night`s relaxation
Distance- 2 options: Either 12 km`s or 20 km`s
depending on the fitness and of interest level
of the group. |
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Night 2 Prepare dinner and
free time for all. If cloud base allows, try and
locate and identify stars. Listen to night
sounds, owls, night jars etc.
Day
3 Early rise. Clean up and
pack up. Prepare breakfast. Take sleeping bags
and whatever else you would need for next 2
overnights at Boggomsbaai. You will not be
returning to this camp. Leave accommodation in
good and clean order. Enjoy breakfast and
depart at 08h00 for hike via Vleesbaai to
Pondokkie at Boggomsbaai, where you will leave
your sleeping bags etc. Remember to take left
over food packs. New food packs available at
Pondokkie. 1st Leg of hike is along
beach for 4 km`s, drop off all surplus items at
Pondokkie and continue along sandy beach and
dune area east toward the Blinde River at Dana
Bay.This could be a long day. Take lots of
water.
Distance
optional from 12 km`s to 20 km`s depending on
group.
Night
3 Settle in rustic
accommodation at pondokkie. Prepare evening
meal/braai either in outside lapa or inside
pondokkie, depending on weather. Relax,
everybody at leisure.
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Day
4 Early up and
breakfast. Camp clean up. Fire doused.
Pick up
will be made at 08h30. Transport provided to
Gourits river for kayaking. Take own food along
for lunch, also drinking water. Kayak launching
for trip down river toward river mouth or
toward mountains. The distance is 12/15 km`s or
as decided by guide and clan leader. Life
jackets are available. Take along costumes,
binocs and cameras for fish eagle and water
bird sightings. Small fishing rods will be
available for spooning possibly leervis (garrick)
or bait for grunter. Lovely to eat that night.
Only licenced individuals will be permitted to
fish. Spend the whole day on and at the river,
weather permitting.
Pick up
at 16h00 for return transport to pondokkie camp.
Spend last night around the fire.. |
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Day 5 Breakfast,
camp clean up. Prize giving and data
collection discussion. Depart approx mid
morning for own destination after short
walk through Valley bush for wrap up of herb
identification. |
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Conclusion
A new generation of
hiking trails is coming along that is
opening up the sport to a new, much larger
market. Traditional hikers may not like the
idea of guided trails like this one but to
the young and newcomers they present a
alluring option. The Indian Ocean coastline
is one of the most spectacular in the world
and it is a credit to Fred who has opened up
this area to the tourism market. |
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Bookings
Bookings
for the Hunter Gatherer Trail can be made through
Jacana Travel Marketing and Reservations
Telephone 0861Jacana (0861 522262)
Direct phone: Port Elizabeth 041 378
1439
Pretoria: 012 803 9109
Direct fax: PE 041 378 2548
Pretoria: 012 803 4144
PE
e-mail
bookings@jacanacollection.co.za
Pretoria e-mail:
rosa@jacanacollection.co.za
Footprint Hiking Club
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