Spekboom Tours

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.

22/04/2025

🌊✨ Zululand Slackpack – Night 1: The Hatchery ✨🌊

Our 4-day Zululand Slackpack adventure kicks off in style at The Hatchery—a quirky, “shabby chic” gem tucked away on the edge of a peaceful lagoon. Once a prawn farm, this decommissioned space has been creatively reimagined, with weathered walls and colours that echo post-civil-war Mozambique—raw, real, and full of character.

Old prawn tanks now brim with cool river water drawn from the lagoon below. It’s the perfect spot to lounge with a drink in hand, soak away the travel dust, and ease into slackpacking mode.

After a dip, it’s off to your air-conditioned, en-suite room for a restful night’s sleep—because Day 2 brings a 23 km coastal hike northwards to Mtunzini

19/04/2025

🌿✨ New Slackpack Alert: Mtunzini Magic! ✨🌿

Looking for the ultimate winter escape? ❄️🏝️
Mtunzini—a peaceful coastal gem just an hour from the airport—is the perfect destination for slackpackers wanting to trade the inland chill of Joburg and Pretoria for sunshine, sea air, and adventure.

Our 3-day Mtunzini Slackpack offers a breathtaking journey through some of South Africa’s most diverse and lush coastal landscapes:
🌱 Coastal mangroves
🌳 Dune and sand forests
🏖️ Wild white beaches
🌴 Verdant, fern-fringed jungle sheltered by towering Raphia Palms

We launched this new route over December/January—and the response was phenomenal! Fully booked tours, glowing feedback, and a whole lot of joy.

As the owner of Spekboom Tours, these meanders are close to my heart. What makes them truly special? Our wonderfully diverse team of expert guides, each with stories to tell—
🐦 from immersive birding experiences,
📜 to the wild history of Mtunzini’s eccentric “White Chief” John Dunn and his 79 wives,
💫 to quirky local tales that bring the village to life.

Stay tuned as we share highlights from each day of this unforgettable trail. You might not remember every bird, but you’ll never forget the wonder of exploring this priceless heritage—and the desire to return and protect it.

16/04/2025

🌿✨ Karkloof Falls to Falls | 15–18 May – Only 6 Spots Left! ✨🌿
Our Karkloof Falls to Falls Slackpack is the hit of the year! With 6 fully-booked adventures already behind us, we're down to the last few spots for 15–18 May.
What’s the magic?
Maybe it’s the choice of trails to suit your energy and fitness…
Maybe it’s the luxurious, stylish accommodation…
Or maybe it’s just having a caring, flexible guide who tailors the experience to you.
Whatever it is, it’s a bucket list hike you don’t want to miss!
📍 Check out the last blog on The Mushfarm Blog:

A three day slack-packing adventure awaits. Explore waterfalls, forests, grasslands and bushveld from The Old Mushroom Farm with Spekboom

28/03/2025

🌿✨ Karkloof Adventure Alert! ✨🌿
I usually keep my Karkloof posts all serene and poetic—gushing over the beautiful flowers, scrumptious food, and spectacular scenery... 🌸🍽️🏞️
BUT—some groups bring a whole different vibe! 😆
Wet, slippery trails? No problem.
Nerve-jolting zip lines? Bring it on.
Muddy bums? Badge of honor.
These fearless dames from Cape Town tackled it all—with a gulp of tequila, a splash of Strawberry Lips, to serenaded every viewpoint along the way! 🎶🍓🥃
Three days later,needless to say we were all bosom buddies! 💃🏼💚
💥 Wanna join the next round of tried-and-tested fun-loving gals? 💥
📅 Karkloof Falls to Falls: 15–18 May
🎟️ Only 6 spots left!
Sign up today—adventure (and maybe tequila) awaits! 😜🌿🔥

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? 💚

09/03/2025

On the Karkloof Slackpack, boredom is never an option! While we try to squeeze in time for an afternoon nap (the ultimate luxury for hardworking moms), our 3-day journey is packed with daring adventures that challenge the mind, body, and soul. 💪🏽🏔
Now, let’s take a moment to celebrate our oldest and most fearless hiker—74-year-old Priscilla! 🎉💥 Check her out, wrapped in the arms (and legs!) of her canopy tour guide as she took the plunge! 😆 She was flushed with excitement and full of life at dinner, calling the experience "a life-affirming act." 💚
After an exhilarating canopy tour, we wound our way through forests and pastoral landscapes, finally arriving at the breathtaking Karkloof Falls. Believe it or not, Karkloof was once home to the Voortrekkers—and yes, even us "Engelse mense"! The name Karkloof comes from Kar, meaning wagon, referring to one that was abandoned near Loskop. The history of the people who forged through this valley is truly fascinating! 🚶‍♂️⏳

07/03/2025

This past weekend, 11 adventurous women and 1 doted-on gent braved the super slippery trails (thanks to all the rain!) for an unforgettable hike up to the Karkloof escarpment. As the mist lifted, we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the Karkloof, Albert Falls Dam, and beyond. ✨
Every hike brings its own magic, and this time, we were lucky to have a knowledgeable companion who has written extensively about the Midlands' prehistory. She introduced us to the mystical gong rock and painted a picture of life in the Karkloof tens of thousands of years ago. 🪨📖
💦 Water, water everywhere was the theme of the weekend, with stops to admire the magnificent Gray Mare’s Falls, her torrential tail of water dancing in the wind. 🌊

04/03/2025

💎 Exploring the Jewel of Mpumalanga

Wakkerstroom, a historic gem founded in 1859, is brimming with stories from South Africa’s past. On our guided walk, Rita brought history to life, from the Bank Gallery—a former Nationale Bank turned vibrant art and artifact museum—to the beautifully restored Victorian homes lining the upper roads.

We visited landmarks like the mosque in the historic Indian quarter, where the imam welcomed us to admire its 1973 prayer carpet, and learned quirky tales about the Old Court House, a national monument with no cornerstone thanks to a fiery local feud.


Wakkerstroom’s charm lies in its rich history, preserved and celebrated by passionate locals ensuring these stories endure.

04/03/2025

☕️ Coffee and Community at Theressa’s Roastery 🌟

Day 3 of our Wakkerstroom Slackpack started with a visit to Theressa’s Roastery—a cozy haven where coffee lovers find their bliss. Theressa, a powerhouse of entrepreneurial spirit, transitioned from baking bread to roasting award-winning coffee. Her dedication paid off, earning her Coffee Magazine’s Community Café Award for 2024!

Theressa doesn’t just roast coffee; she’s on a mission to show the village what a truly great cup of coffee should taste like. We sampled 4–5 of her finest Arabica blends, each sip more delightful than the last.
Caffeinated and energized, we were ready to dive into Wakkerstroom’s rich history with our next guide, Rita Wiesemann.

27/02/2025

On the Wakkerstroom Slackpack, you’re bound to meet the village’s remarkable locals, and Bindura Brewery is no exception. Post-hike, we found ourselves at this little slice of heaven, created by overachievers extraordinaire: Paul Lessing (chemical engineer, pilot, and nephew of author Doris Lessing) and his talented ceramist wife, Julia.
Together, they’ve turned their passions into a thriving craft brewery, herb and iris farm, and vibrant pottery studio—all set against a dreamy English garden backdrop.
The lunch? Oh, it was as memorable as the company:
🍹 Homemade ginger beer & minted cordial
🥧 Seasonal veggie & hummus galettes
🍫 A deconstructed chocolate biscuit, lemon curd & meringue pie
While the cordials were divine, it was the craft beer that stole the show. One enthusiastic hiker summed it up best: “I’m ripped to the tits!”

27/02/2025

On the Wakkerstroom Slackpack, you’re bound to meet the village’s remarkable locals, and Bindura Brewery is no exception. Post-hike, we found ourselves at this little slice of heaven, created by overachievers extraordinaire: Paul Lessing (chemical engineer, pilot, and nephew of author Doris Lessing) and his talented ceramist wife, Julia.
Together, they’ve turned their passions into a thriving craft brewery, herb and iris farm, and vibrant pottery studio—all set against a dreamy English garden backdrop.
The lunch? Oh, it was as memorable as the company:
🍹 Homemade ginger beer & minted cordial
🥧 Seasonal veggie & hummus galettes
🍫 A deconstructed chocolate biscuit, lemon curd & meringue pie
While the cordials were divine, it was the craft beer that stole the show. One enthusiastic hiker summed it up best: “I’m ripped to the tits!”

21/02/2025

🌄 Day Two: Rolling Hills, Waterfalls, and Rupert’s Charm! 💧✨

Our second day of slackpacking took us to a nearby farm, where the rolling grassy mountains stretched endlessly, untouched by plows and gently grazed by free-range sheep and cattle.

Leading the way was Rupert, our sprightly 70-something guide and Wakkerstroom’s unofficial MVP. A former businessman turned community hero, Rupert’s retirement is anything but quiet. From volunteering to rallying locals, he’s the glue that holds this vibrant village together—and the energy behind our hike’s success.
Under the Wakkerstroom Walking Association’s banner (a lovely local group), Rupert guided us on an 8 km trail to a hidden gem: a waterfall nestled in a rocky amphitheater. With natural “seating” for our weary legs, we soaked in the serenity of this untouched paradise. 🥾🍃

16/02/2025

🎒🍷 Slackpacking = Eating Well! 🍴✨
Let’s face it, one of the best parts of slackpacking is the food! On the Wakkerstroom hike, we indulged at The Red Rooster Restaurant with dishes like Middle Eastern aubergine bakes, creamy prawn linguine, and panko-crumbed moussaka, all paired perfectly with crisp wine. 🍷🌿
The culinary magic comes from chef and owner Denise Schuil, a French Canadian who found her calling in Wakkerstroom. Seven years ago, she transformed a failing pub into the beloved family-friendly spot it is today. “A Canadian flag adorned one wall, emblazoned with the Latin motto, Inter Flumina et Montes—“Between Rivers and Mountains.” It was a message from the universe that she couldn’t ignore, a sign that this place was meant to be her home and her canvas.”

14/02/2025

After a hearty farm-style breakfast, we grabbed our walking sticks and set off on a gentle 13km adventure through Wakkerstroom’s breathtaking wetlands. Led by Lucky Ngwenya, a BirdLife-qualified guide with 20+ years of experience, we discovered a world of avian wonders—Rock Martins, Red Bishops, Longclaws, and more, all brought to life by Lucky’s passion and incredible bird-spotting skills.
We strolled through grassy paths Lucky knew from childhood, passing delicate wildflowers and roads nicknamed “wet bum roads” for their muddy splashes. Atop a rocky koppie, we paused for snacks and enjoyed sweeping views of the Utaga River winding through the Natural Heritage wetlands.

The highlight? A picnic at the Clive Beck bird hide, where Lucky unveiled a telescope, giving us an up-close look at Squacco Herons, Swamp Hens, and other waterbirds in their natural habitat.

The day ended with a stroll along historic boardwalks and the Paul Kruger Bridge, blending nature, history, and culture into an unforgettable journey. Two heritage sites, vibrant wetlands, and endless birding magic—Wakkerstroom truly is a paradise for nature lovers! 🌾🐦 Credits to Linda Eedes photography https://www.lephoto.co.za/

07/02/2025

☀️ After two weeks of gloomy skies and endless rain in November, Wakkerstroom welcomed me with brilliant blue skies—perfect for embarking on our the slackpacking tour!

Our base was the idyllic Forellenhof Guest Farm, perched above lush green hills overlooking the village. As the group of 11 adventurous women arrived, the buzz of excitement was contagious. Some snapped photos of the farm's adorable animals 🐓🐑🐱, while others relaxed with a well-deserved gin and tonic after braving the Johannesburg traffic.
The best part of slackpacking? All the logistics, meals, and planning are handled, leaving us free to enjoy the magic. 🥾✨

04/02/2025

☕️ Coffee and Community at Theressa’s Roastery 🌟

Day 3 of our Wakkerstroom Slackpack started with a visit to Theressa’s Roastery—a cozy haven where coffee lovers find their bliss. Theressa, a powerhouse of entrepreneurial spirit, transitioned from baking bread to roasting award-winning coffee. Her dedication paid off, earning her Coffee Magazine’s Community Café Award for 2024!

Theressa doesn’t just roast coffee; she’s on a mission to show the village what a truly great cup of coffee should taste like. We sampled 4–5 of her finest Arabica blends, each sip more delightful than the last.
Caffeinated and energized, we were ready to dive into Wakkerstroom’s rich history with our next guide, Rita Wiesemann.

04/02/2025

My first encounter with this little gem was back in 2019 during my honeymoon, and I was instantly smitten. 🥰 With its rustic charm, beautifully preserved Victorian homes, and top-notch yet budget-friendly restaurants, Wakkerstroom stole my heart. Surrounded by rolling grassy landscapes and pristine wetlands, it’s a paradise for any nature and bird lover. 🌾🦆

Fast forward five years—I'm still happily married (yay! 💍), and my love for Wakkerstroom love-affair has only grown stronger. At my husband’s very wise suggestion, I’ve created a three-day slackpacking itinerary to showcase its magic.

In November last year, I was lucky enough to host an amazing group of 11 dynamic ladies to sample this adventure! Over the next three days, I’ll be sharing some juicy details and unforgettable highlights from that trip. 🥾✨ Check out the full itinerary on my website:

A fully inclusive 3-day slackpack hike in Wakkerstroom