** Temporarily Closed**
Gondwana Game Reserve - Slackpacking operator near Mossel Bay.
Gondwana Game Reserve situated in the Garden Route has launched a three night walking/hiking trail traversing through a private, Big 5, malaria free game reserve. The trail leads to three remote and tented fly camp locations and gives you two full days of hiking. Your expert trail guides will intimately expose you to the Reserve’s unique biodiversity and eco systems with the opportunity to potentially experience wildlife on foot.
Gondwana’s Pioneer Trail is the ultimate slackpacking adventure where your belongings are moved daily between the three camps, allowing you to experience the dramatic Fynbos landscape with only a light day pack. Each exclusive camp is comprised of four exquisitely appointed bedroom tents with en-suite bathrooms sleeping a maximum of 8 guests as well as beautifully furnished lounge and dining tents. Meals are included and African inspired and cold beverages on tap. You literally need to “just bring your boots” and the Pioneer Trail team will do the rest. It has been said there is no better way to experience nature and wildlife than on foot.
Camp Facilities
3 Tented Fly Camps each with: 4 x bedroom tents with en-suite bathrooms and covered outdoor seating areas
Main dining and lounge/bar tents
Outdoor campfire area
Staff complement: Camp Assistant and two Trails Guides (same team for 3 nights)
Pioneer Trail Detail
The trail traverses the 11 000 hectare, free roaming Big five game reserve under the escort of two armed and qualified trail guides.
Approximately 10 kilometres of walking per day (+/- 6hrs of walking a day).
Exclusive remote footpaths and game trails requiring medium exertion.
Daily packed lunches and tea and water breaks throughout the trail.
Duffel bags are provided for guests to pack their clothing items needed for the 3 day trail into. Their remaining belongings can be locked in their vehicle or stored safely at the Lodge.
Requirements
Participants need to be at least 12 years old.
Set departure days: Monday and Thursday with 3 night stay.
The Trail runs in the summer season only from October through May.
3 Night Itinerary
Day 1 - Start days are Monday and Thursday
Arrival at Gondwana Game Reserve for a light lunch and to meet your trail guides
Guests to pack 3 days of belongings into provided duffle bags and lock remaining luggage in their vehicle
Trail Guides to transfer guests to first Tented Camp in open Game Viewer
Check into your tent followed by afternoon tea and treats in the lounge tent
Pre dinner drinks and snacks in the lounge tent and briefing for Day 1 on the trail
Group dinner in the dining tent
Day 2 and 3
6/6:30am Morning Wake up
Breakfast in dining tent
7/7:30am depart on trail with packed day pack including provided lunch and water bottle
On the trail: guided interpretive walking, exploring the Fynbos biome, wildlife and birdlife with scenic rest stops and possible waterhole swims.
Arrive at Tented Camp 2 and then Camp 3 at approximately 4pm on day 1 and 2pm on Day 2
Settle into your new tent with your belongings delivered from Camp 1 and then Camp 2
Afternoon lunch snacks and drinks provided on arrival to camp from trail in the lounge tent
Afternoon at leisure (Have a drink, take a shower or bath, read a book)
Afternoon game drive from Camp 3 (a top game area in the Reserve) after the second full day of hiking for those that wish to go out
Group dinner in the dining tent
Day 4
7:30am Morning Wake up
9am Camp Breakfast Fry up around the fire
10:00am Trail guides to transfer guests to their vehicle for check out and re-pack into their own luggage
**NOT dog friendly**