Our group of 10 hikers met up in Springbok. Some came from Hermanus, others from Kakamas and Vredendal. We drove in convoy to Nigramoep, a guest farm about 45 km north-west of Springbok.
Managers Suzette Louw and Johanna Dirksen van Schalkwyk welcomed us on the farm. After we unpacked, we headed out on the Vingerklip Trail (4,5 km) to warm up our muscles. The veld was scenic – the farm is known for its variety of local vegetation, including Namaqua red balloon, baboon toes and bushman’s candle.
Suzette and Johanna accompanied us on our hike. Suzette ambled along at a slow pace while Johanna moved through the veld like a klipspringer. We soon reached the finger-shaped rock formation that gives the short trail its name.
We were excited about the next day’s route. As the people of Namaqualand say: “Maak los die honne en kô stap saam!”
DAY 1 13 KM
After breakfast, around 8 am two pipe cars transported us to the starting point of the Schaap River Canyon. The veld had perked up after the first winter rains. I saw several colorful pelargoniums – apparently, up to 18 species have been recorded on the farm. Quiver trees and butter trees dotted the landscape.
We followed a footpath next to a fence. The landscape was rocky and we carefully made our way down a slope to a tributary of the Schaap River. The cliff faces around us glowed brown in the sun.
After about an hour, we took out our gas stoves, made coffee and ate biscuits. Then we slung our backpacks over our shoulders and climbed over some big, flat rocks into the sandy riverbed. We walked into the riverbed for about two hours. Quiver trees stood guard on rocky slopes that enclosed us like curtains.
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rolling out the big guns
If you're still scanning the horizon for a Chinese automotive invasion you're looking the wrong way. It's already happening, and the new GWM Tank is the off-road spearhead into the highly lucrative and hotly contested lifestyle market.
TAKE A HIKE
The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop
Time out in Dullies
A long weekend in Dullstroom is just long enough to make you realise you need to spend several more weekends here! There's food, drink, art and action in abundance. Here's your guide.
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...
BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN
How many times have you driven through a landscape and wished you could have seen it centuries ago? In 1811, the English artist and explorer, William John Burchell, travelled through South Africa. Join us as we follow in his footsteps.
Long live the Hibiscus Coast
The KZN South Coast is a national treasure. It's still the place to go if you want a classic seaside holiday complete with warm waves, cold beer, soft serve and good vibes. Here's your guide.
The island at the end of the earth
Imagine adlace-with the cleanest air arid:the clearest seawater, where_no human.oranimabwants to:harm you: A placewhere the climates balmy. year-round:-with a sekrhistory ahd wwild scenery. A place like this:exist8” and it’s called St Helena.
A day on the road
You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers South Africa.
The wilder shore
The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...
A river runs through it
Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.
