SA TOURIST GUIDE
MONTHLY TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
ISSUE 02 2019
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HIKING TRAILS IN SOUTH AFRICA
TOP 10 HIKING TIPS
issue 02
contents MARCH 2019
- 4 - HIKING TRAILS IN SOUTH AFRICA
- 16 - TOP 10 HIKING TIPS
EDITOR: Nhlakanipho Ngidi FEATURED EDITOR: Talisha Ramkissoon Sales and features Cell: 081 484 4437 Email: satouristmag@gmail.com
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HIKING TRAILS IN SOUTH AFRICA
GOLDEN GATE HIGHLANDS RHEBOK HIKING TRAIL Just a stone’s throw from clarens is the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The Park’s two day Rhebok trail will have hikers navigating their way through some of South Africa’s most spectacular mountains, rock pools and ravines. The hike is considered moderately difficult and shouldn’t be attempted without an experienced guide. Take note that the region can become rather misty and cold, so pack accordingly. Location: free State. Length: 31 km.
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AMATOLA HIKING TRAIL The starting point of the Amatola hiking trail lies just outside of King William’s town and makes its way through some of the most impressive highland scenery South Africa has to offer. The trail is adorned with a sublime array of waterfalls and rock pools, offering hikers welcomed respite from the summer sun. The path finds its end in the mysterious and magical world of Hogsback. Cloaked by centuries-old indigenous Afromontane forests and the breathtaking Amathole mountains. The hike is typically done over six days, and is considered one of the more challenging trails South Africa has to offer. Location: Eastern Cape. Length: 100 km.
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DOLPHIN HIKING TRAIL If you’ve always wanted to hike the Tsitsikamma but felt the otter Trail was too daunting. Then the Dolphin trail might be for you. The luxury three night hike allows travellers to see the Garden Route in style (and less a heavy backpack) – an alluring proposal for those more found of slackpacking. The iconic Storms River bridge is but one of many striking landmarks boasted by the route. Other attractions include the wide variety of fauna, flora and hopefully, dolphins, that can be seen along the trail. Location: Eastern Cape. Length: 17 km.
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SKELETON GORGE HIKING TRAIL ISkeleton Gorge is arguably Table Mountain’s most scenic hiking route. While the trail’s first half is largely limited to forested ravines. The second half takes in the majority of Table Mountain’s floral zones, and offers magnificent panoramic views of Cape Town. The hike takes approximately 6- 8 hours to complete. Location: Western Cape. Length: 6.2 km.
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UKHAHLAMBA AMPHITHEATRE HIKING TRAIL The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park can be found a mere two hours’ drive from Durban, and is home to the largest collection of Bushmen paintings south of the Sahara. Arguably the most iconic feature of the park however, is the Amphitheatre, an awe-inspiring basalt wall rising 3000 meters above sea level. The almost perfectly symmetrical shape of the buttress also serves as a surreal backdrop for the Tugela Falls, Africa’s highest waterfall (948m). The three day slackpacking trail is designed to allow people of average fitness to enjoy the wonders of this World Heritage Site and is not to be missed. Location: KwaZulu-Natal. Length: 33 km.
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OLIFANTSBOS SHIPWRECK HIKING TRAIL If it’s raw beauty and rich history you’re after, then the short and sweet olifantsbos trail will deliver on both counts. Pick up an information pamphlet and map from the Buffelsfontein visitors centre and take a relaxing meander through the Cape point Nature Reserve. Location: Western Cape. Length: 5 km.
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MAGOEBASKLOOF HIKING TRAIL Found on the escarpment skirting the town of Tzaneen, the Magoebaskloof trail will have hikers negotiating craggy ravines and subtropical forest as they explore all that the real Limpopo has to offer. Eucalyptus and blue gum trees form a towering canopy enshrounding one’s path from the outside world and calming frantic city minds. Annual rainfall in the area is high, so pack a raincoat. The full trail is five nights long, but shorter two and three day routes are also optional. Location: Limpopo. Length: full route approximately 60 km.
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FANIE BOTHA HIKING TRAIL Winding its way through sabie’s acres of lush Komatiland forest, the Fanie Botha trail exposes hikers to a variety of local bird life as well as two declared national monument, namely. The Mac Mac and Lone creek falls. The whole trail takes five days to complete, but two and three day options are also catered for. Location: Mpumalanga. Length: full route approximately 75km
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TOP 10 HIKING TIPS
TOP 10 HIKING TIPS 1
START SMALL AND CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRAIL FOR YOUR FITNESS LEVEL. Select a hike a little shorter than the distance you can normally walk on a level or paved surface.
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LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND WHEN YOU PLAN TO BE BACK.
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LEARN BASIC FIRST AID AND CARRY A KIT WITH YOU.
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TAKE A 10 MINUTE BREAK AT LEAST EVERY HOUR. This quick break helps remove the metabolic waste that build up in your legs while hiking.
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STUDY YOUR MAP BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE HIKE. This gives you a good idea of your route, pos sible emergency exit points as well as places to fill up on water.
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CARRY AN EMERGENCY STASH OF FOOD. This is for in case you have to stay on the trail longer than you expected.
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TOP 10 HIKING TIPS 7
SUN PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT EVEN MORE SO IF YOU ARE TREKKING AT ALTITUDE. ALWAYS PACK A HAT, SUNGLASSES AND SUNBLOCK.
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DRINK WATER OFTEN, EVEN BEFORE YOU FEEL THIRSTY. DEHYDRATION CAN MAKE YOU MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO HYPOTHERMIA AND ALTITUDE SICKNESS.
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TAG ALONG WITH AN EXPERIENCED FRIEND. THE BEST WAY TO LEARN NEW SKILLS IS FIRST HAND WITH A KNOWLEDGABLE PERSON BY YOUR SIDE.
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WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES AND SOCKS. PAINFUL FEET CAN RUIN A HIKE. INVEST IN QUALITY HIKING SHOES AND SOCKS.
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