The Fynbos Trail

About

The Fynbos Trail began its meander in 2001, and crosses through the following areas:

• Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy
• Cape Nature Walker Bay
• Grootbos Foundation
• Witkrans Nature Farm
• Bodhi Khaya
• Lomond Wine Estate

Forest Restoration Project

“The Fynbos Trail is embedded in a long heritage of conservation. Trail founders Sean and Michelle Privett are active members of Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy. 

The trail traverses several member properties of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, a collaborative conservation partnership between nearly 50 private landowners who collectively own more than 22,000 hectares of endangered lowland fynbos and forest habitat. More than 1,100 indigenous plant species have been recorded, including seven species that are new to science, many of which are rare and threatened. 

This natural landscape includes many threatened habitats, including rare forest patches, incredibly diverse mountain fynbos areas, endangered limestone, and wetland vegetation. The conservancy is also home to a wide variety of fauna, including 106 bird species, 30 mammals, 46 reptiles, 22 amphibians and an incredible diversity of insects.

By hiking the trails, you will be contributing towards the conservation and social development work of the partners within the conservancy. Some of the funds generated by the trail are re-invested by the conservancy into clearing alien vegetation, managing fire and documenting and monitoring flora and fauna within the conservancy. Many of the ingredients for the meals along the route are made with fresh organic food produced at the Growing the Future sustainable agriculture project on Grootbos Nature Reserve.

Hikers on the Premium Trail have the opportunity to taste the magnificent wines from Lomond Wine Estate, a dedicated conservation partner in the Walker Bay Conservancy. They can also plant an indigenous tree as part of the Future Trees forest restoration project as well as visit the Grootbos Florilegium at the Wenhold Botanical art gallery on Grootbos. This is the only botanical art gallery in the southern hemisphere and is dedicated to raising awareness and support for the conservation of the region’s flora and associated fauna.”

Fynbos Trail Premium

The Fynbos Trail Premium is a guided, catered slackpacking experience. 

Cost: 

• Weekends (including Friday and Saturday nights) - from R 5,200 per person
• During the Week (Sunday to Thursday night) - from R 4,850 per person

Duration: three days
Distance: 25km

Trail Seasons: 

• Autumn - 1 March until 31 May 
• Spring - 1 August until 30 November

Fynbos Trail Premium Includes:

• Exclusive access to the Fynbos Trail through Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy’s fynbos and forests
• Three-day guided walking trail with a knowledgeable FGASA-accredited guide
• First night’s accommodation at Fountain Bush Cottage on Witvoetskloof
• Second night’s accommodation at Cone Bush Cottage on Witkrans Nature Reserve
• Two breakfasts, two dinners and two lunches (all delicious home-cooked meals)
• Evening wine tasting of award-winning Lomond Wines
• Tree planting as part of the Stinkhoutsbos Forest rehabilitation project on Flower Valley
• Exclusive tour of the Grootbos Florilegium and Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery
• All luggage transfers
• A fynbos gift on your departure

Note:

• Limiting bookings to three groups a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday start dates)
• A minimum group size of four is required for this option during the week
• A minimum group size of six is required for this option over weekends

Contact The Fynbos Trail for more information and an itinerary. 

Fynbos Trail Standard

The Fynbos Trail Standard is an unguided, catered slackpacking experience.

Cost:

• Weekends (including Friday and Saturday nights) - from R 3,850 per person
• During the Week (Sunday to Thursday night) - from R 3,650 per person

Duration: Three days
Distance: 29km

Trail Seasons: 

• Autumn - 1 March until 31 May 
• Spring - 1 August until 30 November

Fynbos Trail Standard Includes:

• Three-day hike with exclusive access to the Fynbos Trail through Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy’s fynbos and forests
• First night’s accommodation at Fountain Bush Cottage on Witvoetskloof 
• Second night’s accommodation at Cone Bush Cottage on Witkrans Nature Reserve
• Two breakfasts, two dinners and one lunch (all delicious home-cooked meals)
• All luggage transfers

Note:

• A minimum group size of four is required for this option during the week
• A minimum group size of six is required for this option over weekends

Contact The Fynbos Trail for more information and an itinerary. 

Fynbos Trail Budget

Fynbos Trail Budget is an unguided, uncatered slackpacking experience.

Cost: 

• From R1,800 per person

Duration: three days
Distance: 29km

Trail Seasons: 

• Autumn - 1 March until 31 May 
• Spring - 1 August until 30 November

Fynbos Trail Budget Includes:

• Three-day hike with exclusive access to the Fynbos Trail through Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy’s fynbos and forests
• First night’s accommodation at Fountain Bush Cottage on Witvoetskloof 
• Second night’s accommodation at Cone Bush Cottage on Witkrans Nature Reserve
• Both cottages are fully equipped for self-catering
• All luggage transfers

Note:

• This option is only available for select weekend dates
• This option is not available over long weekends
• A minimum group size of six is required for this option during the week
• A minimum group size of eight is required for this option over weekends

Contact The Fynbos Trail for more information and an itinerary. 

Fynbos Trail Coastal

The Fynbos Trail Coastal is a guided, catered slackpacking experience along Walker Bay’s magnificent coastline.

Cost: 

• From R4,850 (10% discount if booked with The Fynbos Trail Premium or Standard option)

Duration: 

• Can be added to the Fynbos Trail, creating a four-night hiking option
• Can be hiked separately as a two-night hiking option

Distance: 25km

Trail Seasons: 

• Autumn - 1 March until 31 May 
• Spring - 1 August until 30 November

Fynbos Trail Coastal Includes:

• Two days of guided coastal walking with a knowledgeable FGASA-accredited guide
• Two night’s accommodation at Casa d’Italo Guest House at Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy
• Two breakfasts, two, dinners and two lunches (all delicious home-cooked meals)
• Permits for Cape Nature’s Walker Bay Nature Reserve
• A visit to Klipgat Cave in Walker Bay Nature Reserve
• All luggage transfers and luggage transferred to the guest house at the end of each day’s hike

Note:

• A minimum group size of four is required for this option
• Limiting bookings to two groups per week (starts on Monday and Wednesday)

Contact The Fynbos Trail for more information and an itinerary. 

Reviews

“The Fynbos Trail has beautiful views of nature and is such a nice hiking trail to do. The fynbos smells amazing and is a feast of fauna and flora. Ended up spending some quality time with friends and the local farm dog, Shadow, at the dam. There are canoes and paddle boats on the shore for taking out on the dam. A very tranquil and peaceful atmosphere and the sounds of birds and insects in their natural surroundings are music to the ears.”  Janelle Jasson

“Fantastic guided hike. Well-informed guide, wonderful food. The Fynbos Trail comes highly recommended!”  Hope Hornby

“This was a wonderful nature retreat. The Fynbos Trail takes you on three hikes over three days. You hike to your next accommodation. The different biomes that you hike through are spectacular. You head underneath of Forrest canopy then move on to the indigenous Fynbos which is an experience on your eyes and your nose as the aromas are natural and soothing. This is also a wonderful bird-watching route. We managed to see a black-shouldered kite circling quite close to us.”  Cameron Worthington