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Spekboom Tours, 34 Teal Road, Rivergoose Estate, Howick (2026)

27/08/2026

Meeting a 600-Year-Old Giant
One of the highlights while scouting my new Champagne Valley Slackpack was coming across this magnificent Yellowwood tree (Podocarpus latifolius), estimated to be around 600 years old.
For nearly two centuries, South Africa's indigenous Yellowwood forests were heavily logged for their beautiful timber. Countless giants were lost, yet every now and then you stumble across one of these ancient survivors. Standing nearby was an old saw, a poignant reminder of the forests that once disappeared around them.
What spared this remarkable tree? We may never know. Perhaps it was too difficult to reach, perhaps someone chose to leave it standing, or perhaps it was simply fortunate. Whatever the reason, its survival feels like a gift.
Like every family or community, a forest would be poorer without its elders.

20/08/2026

Sunset on the uMlalazi Estuary
One of the unexpected highlights of the Spekboom Tours Zululand Rover Slackpack isn't on the hiking trail at all, it's the leisurely barge cruise around the horseshoe-shaped uMlalazi Estuary.
Gin and tonics in hand, the shrill call of African Fish Eagles echoing across the water, the occasional jellyfish drifting past
Our skipper, .brendan of Nature Way Cruises, is a true Mtunzini local. With a lifetime of stories, plenty of tall fishing tales and an easy-going sense of humour, he quickly became a favourite with our group. His down-to-earth style perfectly suits the experience.
And then there's Herbeta the Hippo his delightfully quirky pontoon boat. It's not a luxury cruiser, and that's exactly its charm. With its weathered grass roof, colourful cushions and relaxed atmosphere, it's the perfect place to put your feet up, enjoy a sundowner before a locally caught fish braai!

14/08/2026

Mangroves – the Unsung Heroes of Arbour Month
While towering forests often steal the spotlight during Arbour Month, mangroves quietly perform some of nature's most important jobs.
On the Zululand Rover Slackpack, we explore the beautiful uMlalazi Nature Reserve estuary, home to Black, White and the rarer Red Mangrove ((Rhizophora mucronata). Living where the salty ocean meets freshwater, these remarkable trees have evolved ingenious adaptations. They filter and excrete excess salt, while their specialised roots protrude from the mud like tiny snorkels, allowing them to breathe in oxygen-poor soils.
Their ecological value is extraordinary. Mangroves provide a safe nursery for young fish, crabs and prawns, trap sediment, improve water quality, store significant amounts of carbon and protect our coastlines from erosion and flooding. Studies have shown that healthy mangrove forests can reduce wave energy by up to 60%, helping to cut coastal flood damage by as much as a third.
June and July are wonderful months to experience the Zululand Rover Slackpack. The humidity is low, the days are comfortably warm, and it's one of the best times to explore the estuary. Bird lovers also have the chance to spot one of the region's special treasures, the Mangrove Kingfisher, a spectacular seasonal visitor that adds another touch of magic to this unique coastal wilderness.Junior Gabela can help you connect with this rare bird

09/08/2026

Mtunzini Zululand Rover – one of the surprises of this year has been seeing how different slackpacks rise and fall in popularity.
Our Mtunzini Zululand Rover has been the standout favourite this season, and it's easy to see why. It's one of our most accessible adventures, combining elegant accommodation with intimate, catered meals, fresh fish braais and personal chefs. Add to that flat, beautifully curated walks through tropical coastal forests, pristine beaches and estuaries, and you have the perfect hiking holiday for families, friends and groups with a range of fitness levels.
One of the highlights this year was welcoming back my faithful group, who have now joined me on all five of my slackpacks. Their continued support means the world to me.
One guest kindly shared this feedback:
"Julia was exceptionally organised, informative and easy to communicate with. All information was clearly explained and distributed. Thank you for being in Mtunzini and quietly keeping an eye on everything in the background. Remarkable."
Receiving comments like these reminds me why I love creating these experiences.
A special thank you to Linda Eedes Photography for capturing these dramatic images. The rain only added to the atmosphere, making the forests and coastline even more spectacular.

07/08/2026

New Champagne Slackpack: Come experience it for yourself!!

07/08/2026

Introducing our new Central Berg Champagne Slackpack – coming soon.
I’ve just returned from my first recce, and I’m more excited than ever to share this incredible destination. Monks Cowl is already renowned as one of South Africa’s premier hiking areas, with spectacular trails winding through protea-covered grasslands, rainbow waterfalls and ancient afromontane forests. What I hadn't fully appreciated was just how much this region has to offer, with a wonderful selection of comfortable accommodation located conveniently close to the trails.
These photos are from my first solo scouting trip, but there is so much more to discover. In September we'll be hosting a recce adventure with ten wonderful friends and past Spekboom Tours guests, and I'll be sharing plenty more inspiring photos along the way.
This slackpack offers the best of both worlds: the chance to experience a true Drakensberg hiking adventure beneath the magnificent Cathkin Peak–Champagne Castle massif, while enjoying the comfort of a warm bed, a hot shower and delicious meals each evening. No heavy backpacks, no dusty caves—just unforgettable mountain scenery, rewarding hiking and a little luxury at the end of each day.
I hope you'll join us on this new adventure soon. The Central Berg is a truly special place, and I can't wait to share it with you.

27/06/2026

One of the things I love most about guiding is bringing people from different backgrounds, cultures and faiths into nature. Out on the trail, those differences seem to fade away, replaced by a shared appreciation for wild places, good conversation and the simple joy of walking together.
This April, I had the privilege of spending three wonderful days with a lovely group of Muslim ladies from Johannesburg. Out of respect for their wishes, I haven't included any photos showing faces.
One of the unexpected highlights came while hiking the river trail at the Karkloof Country Club. We suddenly found ourselves in the middle of a flurry of excited birders who had travelled from all over the country hoping to spot a highly threatened vagrant Grey Wagtail. After more than 15 hours of patiently searching the river, they finally found a pair of these elegant little birds hopping between the rocks beside a rushing torrent.
As luck would have it, we were standing in exactly the right place at exactly the right time and were able to add this beautiful species to our own bird lists. Moments like these remind me that nature always has a surprise waiting when you least expect it.
Here's to new friendships, unexpected encounters, and the magic of being outdoors.

26/06/2026

🚗🌿 Cape Town Road Trip Adventures (and a bit of “creative schooling”) 🌿🚗
Beyond the incredible hiking opportunities, there is just so much to do in and around Cape Town In June, we decided to “bunk school” for a little while and head off on a road trip down the coast and into the Cape. The journey took us to Addo Elephant Park, the charming Klein Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, and then on to visit friends in Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Kommetjie.
What made it extra special was watching Hannah soak it all in, she absolutely loved the idea of waking up in a “new house” almost every day
There’s something magical about seeing the world through a child’s eyes. The excitement, curiosity, and simple joy of discovery reminds you how much wonder is out there when you slow down enough to notice

18/06/2026

Taking the Next Step in the Mountains
While I am already FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) qualified, I have long wanted to complete my mountain guiding qualification so that I can safely and confidently lead groups into the Drakensberg.
The Berg holds a special place in my heart. I truly believe it is one of South Africa's most spectacular wilderness areas, yet it remains vastly underrated and often overlooked by both international and local adventure travellers. 4 million toursits visit Cape Town while only 300 000 visit the Drakensberg. With its soaring basalt cliffs, crystal-clear streams, rolling grasslands, and incredible sense of space, it offers a mountain experience that rivals some of the world's best hiking destinations.
This past week I completed the practical and theory components of my Adventure Guiding Professional Qualification with the excellent Raubenheimer from . The course covered everything from planning and managing wilderness experiences to navigation, map reading, route selection, risk management, and rope work for assisting clients through scrambling sections.
I'll admit I got myself into a bit of a knot when it came to learning knots! But, as with most things, practice makes progress,
Now it's time for the final assessment and practical examination. If all goes according to plan, I'll soon be a qualified Mountain Guide—just in time as I begin developing an exciting new slackpacking route in the Central Drakensberg.
⛰️🥾🌄
The Berg holds a special place in my heart. I truly believe it is one of South Africa's most spectacular wilderness areas, yet it remains vastly underrated and often overlooked by both international and local adventure travellers. 4 million tourists visit Cape Town while only 300 000 visit the Drakensberg. With its soaring basalt cliffs, crystal-clear streams, rolling grasslands, and incredible sense of space, it offers a mountain experience that rivals some of the world's best hiking destinations.

17/06/2026

⛰️ Bucket List Kids Hike: Caracal Cave, Kamberg ⛰️🧭
Another one ticked off the family adventure bucket list! This time we headed into the beautiful Kamberg area to explore Caracal Cave with the cousins (and Dulce) — a perfect introduction to raising a new generation of little hikers.
With the first bite of winter frost in the air, my sister Nix and I decided it was time to get the kids out on the trail and a little more “mountain hardy” for a lifetime of adventures ahead.
The route to Caracal Cave is a lovely 5 km there-and-back hike; fairly gentle and very doable for children, with just enough excitement to keep everyone engaged. The real highlight, of course, is the cave itself.
A small word of advice though: there is no reliable year-round water source in the cave, so summer is definitely the better option. We did manage a bit of wilderness ingenuity and found a small trickle from above to top up our
What made this hike so special was watching the kids experience it in their own way. For adults, it’s often about the walk and the views… but for children, it’s all about the cave, the climbing, the exploring, and the sense of “wild adventure.” 🦎
I was especially chuffed to see Hannah confidently scrambling up the rocky sections — proof that nature is one of the best playgrounds (and probably far better than any expensive OT session!).
By the end of the day, both Dulce and Hannah hadn’t stopped talking about their big adventure in the mountains with mum, dad, and cousins.

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