• The OYSTERCATCHER TRAIL is rated as one of the top hiking experiences in the world by the BBC in their book “Unforgettable walks to take before you die”
• GETAWAY magazine rated it as one of the top 5 Hiking Trails in South Africa.
• NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC considers it as "One of the top 50 tours of a lifetime" in 2007 and 2008.
• THE STAR TRAVEL considers it an "'Unforgettable experience not to be missed".
• LONDON DAILY TELEGRAPH refers to it as “The Freshest Air that you can breathe”
• BBC CHANNEL 4 and Discovery channel screened a documentary as part of a documentary series entitled South Africa Walks
• PASELLA, SA TV Program did a quality feature of the hike.

The OYSTERCATCHER TRAIL is a slack packing trail and now has 3 versions of which all are professionally guided. The Gold and Silver versions are fully catered. The Green version is self catering. In all 3 you only have to carry a day pack.

With the Gold and Silver versions, your luggage is shuttled and the meals at night are something never to be forgotten. We cater for many dietary requirements when necessary. Our meals are prepared by our local cooks in the traditional Cape style. With the Green version you only need to carry the necessary clothing as there are washing facilities available at the overnight stops.

On these 4 day hikes we focus on total nature but especially on the habits and plight of the endangered AFRICAN BLACK OYSTERCATCHER, You will however enjoy a total ecological encounter with marine species, wonderful beaches, dynamic dunes, rare plants and a wide variety of birds and mammals and marine animals. A truly eye-opening educational experience.
Let us remind you again, the 3 options available are: Gold Star (4 days 4 nights), Silver Star (3 days 4 nights) - both fully catered, and the Green Star (also 3 days 4 nights).

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ITINERARY:

DAY 1 (Day of Arrival)

We meet you after you have settled  in at your overnight accommodation at 18h00  and discuss the program with you in some detail. Dinner afterwards at one of the top restaurants in Mossel Bay for Gold and Silver option. Green option make their own dinner arrangements.

DAY 2 (15 km`s)

After breakfast with guide(s) Depart from St Blaize cave and hike high above stunning coast line. Trail crosses Pinnacle Point Golf Estate. past spectacular ancient caves with great archeological significance. Arrive Dana Bay late afternoon and get transported to Sandpiper Cottages in Boggomsbaai (Gold) or at a guest house Dana Bay depending on the option chosen.

Traditional fireside dinner or braai facilities at all venues.

DAY 3 (13 km`s)

After breakfast be transported to Dana Bay 2nd beach to continue hike along endless sandy beach.  Explore ancient middens and stone age workshops. Swim at Blind River lagoon. Observe and photograph Oystercatcher nests and their feeding and breeding habits. Marvel at surfing dolphins and giant Southern Right whales (in season) Arrive for welcome snacks and refreshments at Sandpiper Cottages in Boggomsbaai)

Another scrumptious and romantic fireside dinner/braai.

Green prepare their own meals in their cottages with stunning fireplace braais and fully equipped for self catering.

DAY 4 (16 km Gold or 21 km Silver)

Depart after breakfast and hike along marine rich rocky shore to historic Fransmanshoek peninsula where beach lunch will be served. Snorkel or swim in small private bay. After lunch hike along massive sand dunes of Kanon beach. Transport back to Sandpiper (Gold). Silver option will continue hike to Gourits where they will be taken across by boat and transported back to Sandpiper. Fireside dinner with roosterkoeke or vetkoek is served.

Green will overnight either in Gouritsmond or be transported back to Sandpiper cottages in Boggomsbaai. They will be taken back to Mossel Bay on the last morning.

DAY 5 (5 km`s Gold)

Gold will have lazy breakfast and transported back to Cape Vacca for slow stroll to Gourits river. Our ferry boat will pick you up and take you up river, weather permitting. Transport to Boggomsbaai for bubbly Cap Classique and wild oysters. We transport  you to Mossel Bay or George airport for continuation of your own journey or return to your home. Silver will start the day with coffee and rusks in their cottages and a light breakfast and prize giving. Transported then back to Mossel Bay.

NOTES

• Our aim is to ensure that our hikers enjoy every step and learn much about our fragile and beautiful environment. We therefore walk as fast as the slowest in the group. On a difficulty scale of 1 to 10 we rate it at approximately 6/10 average . Some days are easier than others.

• The oldest person to complete the hike was 83 and the youngest was 6 years old.

• The Oystercatcher Trail hike is renowned for its eco and cultural educational value. The daily distances are normally completed in about 6 hours. You carry only your day pack as we transport your luggage from one overnight stop to the next (Gold and Silver).

Our weather is generally quite stable throughout the year. Southern Right whales are resident in our bays from June through to October. Best months for swimming are Jan to May and September to November. Dolphins hunt and surf all year round. Oystercatcher breeding season from September to March, but are present all year. Extraordinary ancient stone age middens and world famous stone age caves. Archeological history.