Is there a shuttle service from George Airport?

We have a shuttle service to and from the George Airport for up to 12 people.  We can also arrange custom pickups from other nearby towns.

Incoming Shuttle: Service includes pickup at George Airport, a stop at the George Mall for shopping (Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Food Lovers Market) and then the 3 hour trip to the Baviaanskloof. Drop off at the Canyon Trail base camp.

Outgoing Shuttle: Pick up at Canyon Trail base camp and drop off at the George Airport.  

What facilities are at the overnight camps?

Our overnight sites each have three sleeping units (sleeping 4 per hut in 2 rooms, with 2 people per room) and one central catering unit.  The catering units are there to give you a communal space for your group to hang out, make food and have a great time with your hiking mates. There is solar lighting in each unit. Inside each catering unit are gas stove tops, cooking and eating utensils – no need to bring those along. There is also a wood burning fireplace. Each site has a braai area and braai grid. 

You will need to clean all the kitchen equipment and utensils before leaving in the morning – the next group of hikers will appreciate it.

Each campsite has flush toilets, and hot showers.

Each site has a splash pool.

Do we need to bring bedding?

Yes. Bedding is not provided at the base camp or overnight camps.  Hikers can choose to bring a sleeping bag or other bedding.  The mattresses at both the base camp and overnight camps are extra length single mattresses, that are 30cm high.  Your bedding needs to be inside your black box with all your other supplies and clothes, so ensure you are not bringing your best lush duvet that leaves no space for anything else.

What equipment is provided in the kitchens?

The kitchens are fully equipped with everything you need and you do not need to bring any additional equipment.   There are 8 stove tops.  There are no ovens or microwaves.  The total equipment list is shown in the images below (toggle through the views to see all the items):

Can we order Ice to be delivered each day to the camps?

3 bags of ice are provided each day to each camp and left in the ice cooler that remains at each camp.  No additional ice can be ordered or delivered during the hike.  Hikers often use the electric cool box to freeze water in bottles or blue freezer blocks that they have brought with them.  You can also purchase extra ice from base camp before the hike and put this in your cool boxes before you leave for the hike.

Is firewood provided?

1 Bag of firewood, along with firelighters and matches, is provided at each camp.  Extra fire wood can be ordered and paid for at the base camp before your hike starts.  This extra fire wood will be delivered to your camps on each day.

Can we order beer for each day like we do on the Leopard Trail?  Will you also deliver our own drinks?

Yes, our superb Baviaans Brew lager can be ordered and paid for at the base camp to be delivered on each day of the trail.  This is an easy drinking lager made for us by Darling Brewery.

No, we will not deliver your own drinks each day.  Drinks that you bring with you need to fit inside your black boxes or cool boxes from the start.

Are there coffee plunges or coffee machines in the camps?

Yes, each camp has a coffee plunger as well as a Nespresso Machine.  VERY IMPORTANT to note that ONLY BIODEGRADABLE Nespresso pods can be used.  These can be bought from base camp prior to your departure. 

How big are the slack packing boxes, and how many do we get?

Each group of 12 hikers gets 12 boxes, 3 insulated cool boxes and 1 electric cool box.

The black boxes are 465mm x 736mm, and 350mm deep.

The 3 insulated cool boxes internal dimensions are 260mm x 500mm, x 310mm deep.

The electric cool box internal dimensions are 250mm x 510mm, and 360 mm deep.

If you only have a booking for a single hut, then your group will receive 4 black boxes and 1 insulated cool box. Space inside the electric cool box will be shared with the other 2 huts.

Must everything we take fit in the boxes?

Yes, we will not transport anything that is not inside the boxes.  You cannot strap things like pillows, sleeping bags or smaller bags to the outside of the box.

Can we take our own cool-box on the trail?

No.  The routes our bakkies travel is rough, and we do not want to run the risk of damaging any private cool boxes.  In addition our transport system is very tightly packed and designed for the exact size of each of the boxes and cool boxes we provide.

Is the water drinkable, and is there water along the trail?

There are water tanks at each overnight campsite that provide water for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and hot water showers. This water is piped in from the nearest mountain streams and is good to drink. Day 3 has water along the entire day.  For the rest you should not count on water being available on the trail.

What weather can I expect when I am hiking?

The Baviaans Canyon Trail is a great hike at any time of year.

Summer is hot with the daily average in December, January and February at 28 degrees Celsius.  Days can get up to the mid 30s, so you need to get up very early and walk to avoid as much of the heat as possible.  Each camp has a pool with clear mountain water, making a summer hike a great opportunity to hike early and spend the day swimming and relaxing at the camp sites.

Autumn and Spring (March, April, May, September, October and November) can provide great fair weather hiking, with average temperatures in the early 20s. As winter approaches, an occasional cold front will blow through, dropping temperatures considerably.  The swimming pools are great on the hot days, while the fire places inside the communal huts keep you warm on cold days.

Winter is a favourite for many hikers with cool days hiking if you don’t like the heat.  The fire places in the communal hut are a winner, with groups gathering together around the fire with warm drinks and good times.  Temperatures in June, July and August average around 16 degrees Celsius.  Nights drop to zero though, so make sure you have a warm sleeping bag to sleep well on our great mattresses.

Rain in the Baviaanskloof is an unpredictable affair. All months of the year have only around 4 days of rain per month so, statistically, your chances of dry weather are pretty good.  However, it is possible for short term flooding throughout the year.

Like all mountain areas, the Baviaanskloof can experience a range of weather conditions over any 4-day period. You are advised to prepare for rain, wind, cold and heat.

What time do we need to arrive at the base camp on the day before our hike?

You can arrive anytime, however note that the briefing which all hikers must attened will either be done at 4:30 pm on the day before you hike, or 8:00 am on the day you hike.  In summer it is strongly suggested that you arrive before 4:30 pm the day before you hike so that you can get your briefing done, allowing you to leave early the next morning to avoid the heat. 

Can we get a lift from camp to camp if we cannot hike?

Yes, hikers that are sick, have an injury or choose not to hike any given day can remain at the camp and get a lift with the slack packing team.  In these scenariors hikers may need to sit or stand on the back of the transport bakkie.

How fit do I need to be?

You need to be hiking fit.  This is a relatively difficult hike, with 4 days being around 16km in the mountains, so expect to take between 5 to 8 hours on each of those days.  For your own enjoyment, come fit and with feet prepared to be walked on.

The recommended age range of 12 to 65 years is used as indicative, due to the physical demands of the trail.  We will not stop hikers outside of this age range except children under the age of 6 – but encourage you to be realistic about your own ability and limits. All hikers 6 to 12 years of age must be accompanied by their parents/guardians who will be legal signatories to Indemnity Forms. There are relatively steep ascents and descents, so please be cautious if you have previously injured your ankles and/or knees.

I am afraid of heights and get vertigo.  Can I do this hike?

This is a hard question to answer, as people with this issue have different levels of sensitivity.  Some hikers who say they have this issue have completed the hike and provided feedback that they have been fine, while others with severe vertigo said some of the cliffs were harrowing for them. There are some ladders that are 3m high.

For more comments from people that have done the hike, watch our youtube video with hikers that have done the trail.

How often do I walk in water on day 3 and do I need water shoes?

Day 3, Paradise Kloof, is an exceptional day beyond words ability to describe.  This days walk takes you into the slot canyon to a point at which you can go no further, and where you turn around and come out again on the same path.  For the last 500 meters of the slot canyon you will be walking up the river, often through small pools which may be half a meter deep.  We recommend you bring a spare pair of takkies or trainers for this day that you can get wet.  Water shoes will also work.  Open water shoes can work, though often will get little pebbles and stones in them which will be irritating. 

Which is the hardest day?

Feedback from hikers to date differs on this point.  In summer the answer has tended to be which ever day was hottest.  Day 1 has up-hills throughout the day making it feel tough, whereas day 4 has the highest actual climbing of all the days but is 1km shorter than the other tough days.  Day 5 can feel tough if you are gatvol and ready for the damn hike to be over.  Take a look at the detailed profiles on the information page.

Is there cell phone reception or wifi on the trail?

There is wifi at the base camp.

In general there is no cell phone reception on the trail, though there are a few areas on the mountain ridges where you will get cell phone reception.

Each group is provided with a satellite phone, however these are locked for emergency calls to our emergency support and response team only.

If you need to be in contact with work or family at all times please rent your own sat phone – we can recommend Sat4rent.

What are the accommodation and kitchen facilities like at base camp?

Accommodation is provided in glamping tent structures, with 2 people to a room and en suite toilets.  There is a stunning outside shower block under the cliffs, and separate indoor showers.  Two fully equipped kitchens cater for the group leaving and the group returning, in addition to braai areas and outdoor eating areas.  There is a large communal lounge area and a swimming pool.

What time does the DJ at base camp end the party?

There is no DJ.  But we do ask all hikers to go into quiet mode by 9:30, as other hikers will be wanting to sleep.

Is there a freezer or fridge at base camp I can leave food in while I am hiking, or can I leave my own electric cool box plugged in?

Yes. We do have a freezer at base camp dedicated to this purpose in which hikers can leave frozen food.

No. There is no fridge for hikers to leave food in while hiking.

Yes. You can leave your own electric cool box plugged in.

Where can I get more info on the Baviaans and impress my hiking buddies with my in depth knowledge?

We have you covered.  Download this easy read PDF booklet, suitable to be read on your phone, and be the best nerd on the trail!