• 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 screened a documentary during May 2010 as part of a series of South African walks

The OYSTERCATCHER TRAIL is a guided, luxury and fully catered slack packing trail where your every comfort is looked after. You only have to carry a small day pack, the rest is supplied.

Your luggage is shuttled and the meals at night are something never to be forgotten. We cater for almost all dietary requirements when necessary, including Halaal, Vegan, Vegetarian, Kosher, Lactose and wheat intolerant. Our meals are prepared by our local  chefs in the traditional Cape style.

On this 4 day hike we focus 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. A truly eye-opening educational experience.

We now have 3 options available to suit hikers :  Gold Star 5 day 4 nights Silver Star, 5 day 4 nights  and 6 day, 5 nights for both.

PRICES FOR 2010: From R3950 PPS (Silver Star) to R5950 (Gold Star)  for 5 day 4 nights and from  R4900 (Silver) and R6900 (Gold)for 6 day 5 nights.
· Includes all meals, accommodation, luggage shuttling and guides.
· Includes transfers to and from George airport (Gold)                            
· Excludes transfer costs from and to airport (Silver)
· Bar drinks for Gold included for Silver excluded
· Therapies optional extra      

>> CURRENCY CONVERTER - Click here

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 (Day of Arrival)

Arrive Mossel Bay and check in at luxury sea view, pre arranged venues between 14h00 and 17h00
Meet and Greet with Fred Orban or leading guide at 18h00
Dinner at top restaurants.

DAY 2 (15 km`s)

Breakfast with guide(s) Depart from St Blaize cave and hike high above stunning coast line. Trail crosses Pinnacle Point Golf Estate. Visit to spectacular ancient caves with great archeological significance. Arrive Dana Bay late afternoon and get transported to Sandpiper Cottages in Boggomsbaai (Gold) or Bokmakierie guest house Dana Bay (Silver).
Traditional fireside dinner or braai at both venues.

DAY 3 (13 km`s)

After breakfast be transported to Dana Bay 2nd beach to continue hike along endless sandy beach. Visit Khoi San and ancient middens and stone age workshops. Swim at Blinde River lagoon. Observe 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.

DAY 4 (16 km`s Gold or 21 km`s 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. Fresh fish and vetkoek dinner is served.

DAY 5 (5 km`s Gold)

Gold will have lazy breakfast and transported back to Cape Vacca for slow stroll to Gourits river. Our boat will pick you up and take you up river, weather permitting. Transport to Boggomsbaai for bubbly Cap Classique and wild oyster send off snacks. We return 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 mid-morn snack and prize giving. Transported then back to Mossel Bay.

DAY 6 (OPTIONAL) (18 km`s Gold and 13 km`s Silver)

From Gourits to Reins Nature Reserve (13 km) walk along very rugged rocky coastal road. Accommodation at Reins  in luxury sea shore chalets. Dinner/braai at poolside venue.  Pick up and transfer back to Mossel Bay after breakfast.

• 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. 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..

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.