Slackpacking South Africa - The 50 best trails. Click here for your digital booklet
Slackpacking in South Africa is a fantastic way to explore the country's stunning scenery and diverse wildlife without the strain of carrying a heavy backpack. Traditional multi-day hikes often require you to carry all your gear, food, and necessities, but slackpacking offers a more comfortable alternative. By paying a bit more, you can enjoy long-distance hikes with your overnight gear and other…
Slackpacking South Africa - The 50 best trails. Click here for your digital booklet
Slackpacking in South Africa is a fantastic way to explore the country's stunning scenery and diverse wildlife without the strain of carrying a heavy backpack. Traditional multi-day hikes often require you to carry all your gear, food, and necessities, but slackpacking offers a more comfortable alternative. By paying a bit more, you can enjoy long-distance hikes with your overnight gear and other logistics taken care of for you.
In South Africa, slackpacking trails vary in the level of support provided, but the common feature is that your bags are transported between accommodations each day. This allows you to hike with only a daypack containing essentials like water, lunch, a camera, and a jacket. With a lighter load, you can cover more ground and have extra time to explore, swim in rock pools, and savour the natural beauty around you.
With around 70 slackpacking trails available in South Africa and the number of options for this popular activity growing yearly, there’s something to suit every budget and fitness level. You can choose from strenuous hikes with comfortable lodging at night or gentler walks combined with activities like wine tastings and canoeing. Many trails are guided, providing insights into the local environment and culture, and contributing to local communities by creating job opportunities.
Slackpacking makes long-distance hiking accessible to a wider range of people, including older hikers, families, and those who prefer not to manage the logistics themselves. The trails traverse some of South Africa’s most exciting landscapes, from high mountains and wild beaches to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and picturesque villages. Walk in the footprints of the San and Khoi Khoi exploring archaeological sites on your way, hike on game trails in the Kruger National Park, swap your walking boots for a paddle on a walk-canoe slack packing adventure…South Africa has a dizzying choice of slackpacking experiences!
In essence, slackpacking in South Africa combines the thrill of hiking with the comforts of well-planned travel, offering an unforgettable adventure through one of the world's most beautiful and diverse countries.
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