Garden Route Trail

Garden Route Trail Garden Route Trail offers guided birding, nature walks and a selection of guided slackpacking hiking

Zooming in on Namaqualand. There are many ways to experience Namaqualand. Chase around for carpets of flowers. Hike thro...
27/08/2026

Zooming in on Namaqualand.

There are many ways to experience Namaqualand. Chase around for carpets of flowers. Hike through the veld and identify the myriad of species. And get in close and see what drives the pollination strategies in this intricate ecosystem.
Towards the end of August, there are still new species erupting into bloom, though most species are turning to seed. On every bush there are swarms of insects, each species with their peak period of activity. Different botanical species open their flowers at different times of the day in an attempt to attract their pollination agents and to avoid damage from other species.
Monkey Beetles take to the air at 09h00 and have embedded themselves in the morning flush of flowers by 10h00. Ground Beetles venture out to hunt from 11h30 and Blister Beetles head out at midday.
Grasshoppers scatter at your approach and become more active in the early afternoon. From mid afternoon the veld has more white flowers as they ready themselves for the nocturnal pollinators.
Squadrons of Scarabs have finished rolling their dung balls by 11h30, setting off in search of an ideal location to bury their brood stash.
Droves of Sandveld Groovewinged Beetles descend on open flowers, seemingly changing colours from iridescent bronze to metallic green through the day.
Over a period of 10 days, we watched an army of Zig Zag Emperor Silkmoth caterpillars strip Namaqua Red Balloon shrubs of every single leaf, leaving a carpet of f***l pellets around the stems. As devastating at it appears, it may well stand the shrubs in good stead if the El Nino forecast of the hottest, and driest, summer on record for the region materializes.
To say that the veld is busy, is an understatement. It is definitely a synchronized system capitalizing on the energetic transfer of an extraordinary annual event on the West Coast of Southern Africa.
Whichever is your preferred way of experiencing Namaqualand, prepare to to be amazed.
You will not be disappointed.

The making of fossils. For the past two and a half weeks, we have been conducting Namaqualand experince tours, hiking th...
25/08/2026

The making of fossils.

For the past two and a half weeks, we have been conducting Namaqualand experince tours, hiking through the veld with the emphasis on viewing the small and unique flora and fauna in the Sandveld, Hardeveld and Strandveld of central Namaqualand.
One of the highlights was finding a pan with water 2 weeks ago.
In the parched landscape, myriads of insects would visit to drinks, all at the waters edge.
In the water, we saw activity, though could not identify what aquatic species were present. A week ago, the water level had dropped significantly and we could identify Brine Shrimp, (Triops granarius), some already exhibiting stress (heat and low oxygen) as the level had dropped due to evaporation.
Today, all that remained of the pan was cracked mud with various stages of the Brine Shrimp's life cycle dead in and on the mud.
They have a fascinating life cycle, considered living fossils from 300 million years ago, their eggs remain dormant for decades till covered by water. The eggs hatch when covered by water, and develop rapidly passing through various stages, reaching adult stage within 10 days, when they start laying eggs. The adults live for up to 90 days, if there is still water.

24/08/2026

Another wonderful day hiking in Namaqualand.
Today, we hiked down a section of the Brakrivier south of Kotzesrus.
Some more new botanical species recorded, but today's highlights were the raptors. A Verreaux's Eagle was getting harassed by a pair of Pale Chanting Goshawks and then a pair of Rock Kestrels. We also unintentionally flushed a Cape Eagle Owl and then a pair of Spotted Eagle Owls while inspecting plants.

Between flames - a true West Coast Immersion. The wake up call was at 05h30.We prepped coffee on the coals, shrouded in ...
16/08/2026

Between flames - a true West Coast Immersion.

The wake up call was at 05h30.
We prepped coffee on the coals, shrouded in a cacoon of mist. As the sun burnt off, breakfast of cheese and tomatoe omelets, bread baked in the coals and reheated sirloin from last night's braai fuelled a day of searching for flowers.
Back at Nuwefonteinskop Lodge, sundowners around the fire, finished off with a vegetable potjie, braaied lamb chops and pot bread round up another prefect Wildflower tour.
It was a day, not searching for carpets of flowers, instead discovering the incredible diversity of botanical, insect and wildlife in the vast landscape of Namaqualand.

Wildflowers and bugs in Namaqualand On the first day of the Nuwefonteinskop Wildflower Trail, we hiked down the Brakrivi...
14/08/2026

Wildflowers and bugs in Namaqualand

On the first day of the Nuwefonteinskop Wildflower Trail, we hiked down the Brakrivier. Using Seek for iNaturalist, we managed to identify at least 25 plant species, 4 Scarab species, tortoise species and 39 species of birds.

While the veld didn't have vast carpets of flowers spread out across the sandveld, there were numerous patches of flowers along the entire route, making it easier to pick out the various species.

From snow to flowers in 24 hours.The snow started slowly, a light rain with a few fluffy flakes on a gentle breeze that ...
12/08/2026

From snow to flowers in 24 hours.

The snow started slowly, a light rain with a few fluffy flakes on a gentle breeze that melted as they hit the ground. By 16h00, the wind dropped and the snow increased, blanketing every exposed surface in white.
The birds flocked from tree to tree, calling, unsure of what to do as they searched for a roost spot.
When dusk fell, the landscape was silent.
In the morning, the low lands were covered in 12cm of snow and the surrounding mountain peaks glistened in magnificent white.
It was a beautiful, stark contrasting monotone of trees, farm implements and rocky outcrops.
What was remarkable was that 24 hours before we had been hiking in berg wind conditions on the 3 day
And then the reality hit. We had to drive out on gravel district roads on our onward travel.
Already surrounding farmers reported that the direct road to Nieu Bethesda was too slippery and not navigable.
The only option was a back road to the Murrysburg road, with a warning that the initial slope might not be navigable. In addition to possibly being too slippery to drive up the steep section, the snow masked the actual position of the road, adding the risk of driving or slipping into the flanking channels and getting stuck.
Howard, our host at Weltevreden Farm Stay insisted that he drive ahead to guide us till it was safe to continue on our own. Most importantly, we had to stay on his tracks and to keep our vehicles revs up.
So, like ducklings following momma duck, our three vehicles followed Howard in his Landcruiser across a crisp white landscape with no horizon.
There were a few fish tail moments and on the final climb a point where, as the last car in the convoy, tires started spinning on the now muddy gravel nearly preventing reaching the top.
Bidding Howard farewell, it was an easy drive, marveling at the snow dusted mountains.
My journey was to Kotzesrus and the others to Cape Town, so we bid farewell at the R63 and I headed east.
The road blended into a vast landscape of remarkable geology, valleys, cliffs and koppies punctuating while passing through Victoria West, Loxton and Williston.
Outside Williston, the flowers started. They were not the vast carpets of colour glorified by the press and media, instead a mosaic along the road reserve.
With each stop, a few more species were identified.
Reaching Nieuwoudville, I had identified 25 species of flowering plants, not even trying to identify the species that were not flowering.
Karoo African Daisy, Stinknet, Lamb Boneseed, gazanias, tentfigs and even Pink Baconfig.
Camping in Nieuwoudville, I woke to ice on the tent.
A quick trip to the waterfall, and the journey continued down the pass to Van Rhynsdorp and across the Knersvlakte, to Kotzesrus.
In all, from the snow to the heart of Namaqualand I managed to identify 55 species of plants in bloom.

Mountain Pasture Hiking TourHiking through Fynbos is usually in tough terrain of the Cape Fold Mountains, with steep des...
19/07/2026

Mountain Pasture Hiking Tour

Hiking through Fynbos is usually in tough terrain of the Cape Fold Mountains, with steep descents and the accompanying ascents. Even on a path, there are rocky sections that require careful footwork.
The payoff, and strategy, is to pause frequently and scan the vegetation. That is when the floral diversity pops out. It also offers insight into the origins of the term 'Fynbos'.
Then, as you settle at sunset and reflect on the days hike, there is a sense of accomplishment, exploration and wonder at the unique and diverse Fynbos that occurs on the very tip of Africa, a motivation to head out the next day to experience more.

To book a guided fynbos hiking trip, contact either
Mark 082 213 5931 or
Anthony 072 368 3253

Fynbos, flowers and a tiny tortoise. This morning I guided the Fabulous Fynbos Walk as part of the Knysna Oyster Festiva...
08/07/2026

Fynbos, flowers and a tiny tortoise.

This morning I guided the Fabulous Fynbos Walk as part of the Knysna Oyster Festival program.
The Fynbos Floral Kingdom has the smallest geographical distribution of Floral Kingdoms and is the most species diverse Floral Kingdom with over 9000 species of plants.
It also host some incredible insect species symbiotic relationships with very small endemic ranges.
Flowering in the Fynbos extends from February to late November, with some incredible winter blooms.
Of the many highlights seen this morning, a newly hatched Angulate Tortoise was the least expected for this time of the year.

For details on guided fynbos tours, visit the Garden Route Trail website.

Wood wide web forest walk.This morning, conditions were perfect for the Wood Wide Web guided hike as part of the Knysna ...
07/07/2026

Wood wide web forest walk.

This morning, conditions were perfect for the Wood Wide Web guided hike as part of the Knysna Oyster Festival program.

The 3.5km Circles in the Forest has been impacted by the severe storm in the first half of June, with a number of trees blown over. At first glance, it appears devastating, but in context it is an essential aspect of forest health, regeneration and recycling on nutrients and minerals.
Fallen trees are broken down mechanically and chemically, processing and making nutrients avaible to be dispensed through the forest by the mycelium network that extends through the forest floor.
Integral for forest health, defence against pests and the sharing of resources, the Wood wide web connects every plant together in one large community.
In the dappled light filtering through the canopy to the forest floor, new growth, decomposed branches and leaf litter were signs of a healthy plant community.
Birds calls, frog's clocks and Baboons barking hinted at the hidden fauna that thrive in the Knysna forest.

On the beach stages of the Garden Route Coastal Meander we record a wealth of data for the Strandloper Project, capturin...
02/07/2026

On the beach stages of the Garden Route Coastal Meander we record a wealth of data for the Strandloper Project, capturing information on African Black Oystercatchers, Cape Fur Seals, stranded marine fauna and dolphin sightings.
On our winter trails, between May and November, we are always on the look out for Southern Right Whales behind the surf zone as part of their winter migration to their breeding grounds along the Western Cape coastline.
Seeing them is always exciting, and sharing insights into these animals lifestyles is a crucial part of the trail.
Every trail is a valuable opportunity to contribute to baseline data and understanding of our marine life.

Address

6 Wolwerivier Road
Sedgefield
6573

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27822135931

Website

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