• 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
• 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  chefs 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.There are also food packs which you can purchase, if you do not want to carry your own.

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

Let us remind you again, the 3 options available are:  Gold Star (5 days 4 nights), Silver Star (5 days 4 nights) - both fully catered, and the Green Star (also 5 days 4 nights).

PRICES FOR  2012
Please contact us for quotes as final pricing depends on the numbers in a group.

• Gold and Silver...Includes all meals, accommodation, luggage shuttling and professional guides.
  
• Gold includes transfers to and from George airport
• Silver excludes transfer costs from and to airport
• Bar drinks for Gold included for Silver excluded
• Green is self catering
  
• Massage therapies optional extra

>> CURRENCY CONVERTER - Click here

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 (Day of Arrival)

Gold and Silver

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)

After 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 and Green).
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. (Gold and Silver) Explore 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.(Gold and Silver)
Another scrumptious and romantic fireside dinner/braai.

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

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.

Green will overnight in Gouritsmond at self catering apartments.Green will be fetched the next morning and transported back to Mossel Bay to their vehicles (included in price)

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 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.