Spekboom Tours

25/06/2025

April and May are usually perfect months for hiking in the Midlands – cooler, more stable weather makes for crisp, clear days. Well... most years! This year’s rain was something else.
Still, one of my favourite things is watching the changing palette of Helichrysum flowers – or as we call them in Afrikaans, sewejaartjie blommetjies. Early in the year, they bloom pink, then shift to deep red, and now in late autumn, white. It’s not just pretty – it’s clever. Each species blooms in turn, a smart strategy to attract pollinators and avoid competition.
The misty, moody mornings also added a quiet drama to our stay at the Mushroom Farm. Owned by the artist Crooks family, this beautifully designed accommodation blends simple elegance with classic Midlands comfort – a true work of art in itself.

21/06/2025

Not the most tech-savvy (understatement!), so it's always a real treat when a paying guest takes the time—just for the joy of it—to film, edit, and share their experience. 🎥
Maureen Van Den Berg has done exactly that with this beautiful YouTube video capturing the Clarens San-Traverse 3-day Slackpack. Sit back, relax, and get ready to be transported 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kJbWhD95f4
Massive thanks to Maureen, a seasoned slackpacker who’s made her way through nearly all my offerings—Clarens, Southern Berg, and Karkloof!

@clarens@hiking

18/06/2025

You might not recognise this creepy little character at first glance… but meet the Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) 🍄—a fungus with flair!
Early autumn is its time to shine… or rather, slime. This bizarre beauty uses a putrid, carrion-like smell to attract flies, which then unknowingly help spread its spores. Nature’s weirdest pollination plan? Possibly. Effective? Absolutely.
It might look like something from The Rocky Horror Picture Show or a sci-fi flick, but it sure leaves an impression. With over 800,000 species of fungi out there, this one knows how to stand out on the trail! Come join us on the Karkloof Falls2Falls to learn more about natures little mysteries

14/06/2025

14/06/2025

🌿 Art Meets Nature in the Karkloof 🎨
Our recent Midlands Slackpackers group spotted this stunning mural near Woodhouse Falls — a beautiful surprise in the wild! Created by local street artist Giffy Duminy, the artwork celebrates KZN’s rich biodiversity and reminds us of our deep connection to nature.
Giffy, known for transforming blank walls into vibrant tributes to local flora and fauna, says:
🎨 “I hope my work helps people feel more connected to their surroundings… when we appreciate the beauty around us, we’re more likely to conserve it.”
What a powerful message — and an even more powerful piece of art! 💚

12/06/2025

I thought the glory days of printed media were behind us—with great mags like Country Life and Getaway heading online—but surprise! I’ve had a few emails from past clients saying they spotted my Mtunzini Zululand Rover article in an in-flight magazine. Now that’s a captive audience! ✈️📖
If you get the chance, have a read about my newest slackpack adventure—the Zululand Mtunzini Rover. This one was such a joy to put together. The Mtunzini community is full of heart and hustle, always embracing opportunities with wide-open arms. https://spekboomtours.co.za/mtunzini-hike-slackpack-tour/ One love! 🌿💛

08/05/2025

🌴 Mtunzini: Our finds on our last days hike 🌿
Unlike many small towns in South Africa, Mtunzini is a delightfully well-kept secret. The grass is mowed, verges are spotless, and everything is picture-perfect—a testament to the collaboration between the residents’ association and the town council. 👏
Day 3 of our Slackpack Adventure took us through the village’s beautiful park run paths and to the iconic Raphia Palm Monument, proclaimed in 1943. These majestic palms, originally planted in 1916 with seeds from Kosi Bay, were meant to provide fiber for prisoners to make brooms (though they weren’t quite the right Raphias for the job!). Instead, they brought something far more precious: the rare Palm Nut Vulture.
Our bird guide shared fascinating insights about these unique “vegetarian” vultures—though apparently, they’re not above the occasional beach crab snack! 🦀 We spotted one perched gracefully above the towering palms, a rare treat, as there are only about 15 pairs in the area.
Exploring further, we learned that Raphia palms produce seeds just once every 25 years before dying. We scoured the ground for fresh fruit and stumbled upon the remains of an African goshawk—a stark reminder of nature's raw beauty and cruelty.
Reflecting on South Africa’s rich yet complex history, we wrapped up the hike at the country club. It felt like a reunion, as I recognized many faces from my slackpacking journey preparations. A sumptuous brunch was the perfect end to three unforgettable days of hiking and discovery. 🥾✨

04/05/2025

🌿 Day 2 on the Zululand Rover Slackpack: A Walk in Nature's Shade 🌳

True to its name, “Place in the Shade,” today’s hike followed the serene twin Siyaya rivers under the protective embrace of the coastal dune forest. The shady canopy kept us dry and cozy, even as the rain drummed above. 🌧️🌴
Every level of the forest was alive:
👣 At our feet: Giant snails, armadillo beetles, cicadas, and shy red duikers kept us company.
🌿 In the canopy: Gorgeous Bushshrikes, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds, and Golden-tailed Woodpeckers danced about, while the Fork-tailed Drongo stole the show, orchestrating an all-out bird party. 🎶🐦
Our incredible bird guide, armed with his “kshkshkshksh” call, coaxed the birds into view with ease, answering every question with expert mimicry and endless enthusiasm. 🌟
This lush, diverse forest feels like a world within a world—a natural shelter and a magical escape. 🥾✨

01/05/2025

The magic of the Zululand Rover Slackpack doesn’t stop when the hiking does! 🌟 After a rewarding day on the trails, we were treated to a wild evening surprise.
Two adorable bushbabies scuttled down from the trees to visit the feeding station at a nearby restaurant🐒💫 And just when we thought the night couldn’t get more exciting, we stumbled across a free-spirited frog serenading us with its impressive throat pouch performance. 🎶🐸
Nature here never takes a break from being amazing! 💚 🌿

29/04/2025

Let’s face it—after a long day of hiking, the thought of brushing up for a restaurant meal feels as exhausting as the hike itself. Enter Mtunzini Slackpacking magic: where anything can be arranged!
Too limb (literally) and lazy to leave, we had the ultimate win—a local chef brought the restaurant to us, a mouthwatering fresh fish braai, caught right here on our doorstep. No effort required, except for lifting a fork (or a glass of wine).

25/04/2025

🌿🐚 13km of Mangrove Magic in Umlalazi Nature Reserve 🐦🌊

Today’s slackpacking adventure took us through the enchanting mangrove forests and onto the untouched white beaches of Umlalazi Nature Reserve—a journey that reminded us just how magical and vital these ecosystems are.

Led by our brilliant bird guide, we explored the complex world of mangroves, learning how their survival depends on permanently open estuaries. Did you know there are three types of mangroves—black, white, and red—each with distinct root structures? Nature's architecture at its finest!

One of the highlights? A quick flash of banana yellow—the elusive Green Malkoha made a surprise appearance! Sadly, being summer, we missed the Mangrove Kingfisher, a spectacular winter migrant, but the forest still had plenty to show.

Crossing raised boardwalks over muddy flats, we stopped to watch the show below:
🦀 Mudskippers, like tiny dogfish, hopping around like creatures from the dawn of time
🦀 Fiddler crabs scuttling in and out of their holes
🍃 We even tried tossing green mangrove leaves onto the mud—and sure enough, crabs emerged to investigate, sparking a hilarious tug-of-war over one prized leaf!

Our guide also introduced us to the truncated mangrove snail, which cleverly climbs tree trunks to match the incoming tide. How do they know where the tide will reach? It’s one of nature’s quiet miracles—and a reminder of the delicate balance these creatures face as sea levels rise.

After winding through the cool shade of the coastal forest, we reached a serene picnic spot, shared lunch, and ended our day with a refreshing ocean swim before heading home.

10/03/2025

You wouldn’t believe the diversity and micro-ecosystems packed into this stretch of valley—it’s absolutely incredible! 🤩
Today's hike took us through a private game estate, winding into the breathtaking Umngeni Valley. We followed the river cliffs, soaking in the stunning views, until we arrived at the mighty Howick Falls. 💦🏔
A well-earned harvest picnic awaited us, blanketed under the old pine trees—a perfect moment to pause and appreciate the magic of this place. 🌲🥖🍇
It’s still amazing to think that these unbelievable trails exist just 1km from Howick town! What’s not to love about the Karkloof countryside? 💚