Quick Overview

The Baviaans Canyon Trail is a 5-day and 6-night hike set in the magnificent Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site Wilderness Reserve.  This is a slackpacking hike – each day we transport your bags and food from one overnight hut to the next, leaving you to walk with only a day pack.  In addition to the 5 day / 6 nights on the trail, accommodation for the night before and after the trail is also included.

The Canyon Trail is a moderate to  difficult hike with 4 of the days being around 16km, and one day 8km.  The route is designed for people of good hiking fitness.

Bookings are made per sleeping hut for 4 people.

Price per person for 2027 bookings:

R5900 – January, February, December

R6900 – March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.

Price includes:

• 5 days hike
• 4 nights Glamping Tents on the trail
• 1 night accommodation before the trail
• 1 night accommodation after the trail
• Slack Packing Service
• Conservation Fees

Excludes

• Catering
• Bedding and towels
• Extra Fire wood

Slack-Packing the Baviaans Canyon Trail

We transport your bags so you can walk with just a day pack with the essentials for a days hike. You are provided plastic boxes in which you put everything you want transported. We recommend you do not put valuables such as laptops and cameras in your bags – rather leave them in your car at the Base Camp where they will be safe or carry them with you.  Dimensions for the boxes are 465mm x 736mm, and 350mm deep.   Please note that we do not offer laundry service, make sure to pack what you need for the duration of the hike.

Shuttle Service for 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.  

Itinerary

The Baviaans Canyon Trail has been carefully designed to showcase the natural splendor of the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site.  The 5 days traverses a wide circle taking in a multitude of diverse Biomes and landscapes.

The start and end point of the trail is the Baviaanskloof Interpretive Center at the Western entrance to the Baviaanskloof.  Arrive the night before you start the trail to be ready the next morning for your briefing and to pack your slack packing boxes.  Accommodation for the night before is provided.

All the days except day 3 will take between 5 to 8 hours to hike depending on your speed.  Day 3 can be completed in 3 hours, however should be done slowly to enjoy the wonder of the walk.

The first two days head into the foothills of the Kouga Mountains to the South and east of the Base Camp.  This is the same landscape through which the Leopard Trail, our sister hike, traverses, and will have a familiar feel to those that have hiked the Leopard Trail.  There are 2 places where the two trails overlap for 200m, and you may bump into Leopard Trail hikers.

Day three is an exceptionally special day taking you into the spectacular Paradise Kloof, with long stretches of majestic slot canyons and deep forest filled ravines.  Sections of this day will be in a shallow river, so bringing shoes you can get wet is recommended.

Day four and five head back to base camp through the Baviaans Mountains on the north side of the Baviaanskloof, ensuring you end your hike filled to the brim with natural beauty.  This landscape has flat plateau sections, leading to ridge hopping along high rugged mountain edges and repeatedly dropping into more steep ravines with slot canyons.

Overnight Sites

Our overnight sites each have a 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 – bring your own wood or buy from our shop. 

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

The sleeping units have extra length single mattresses – all you need is a sleeping bag and pillow.  If you are going to sleep outside of your sleeping bag, or open it up, you will need to bring an extra length single sheet to cover the mattress.

Each campsite has flush toilets, and hot showers.

Each site has a splash pool.

Water

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. Depending on the season and local rainfall, you may be lucky and find streams and springs along the length of Trail. 

Fires

Fires are only allowed in the fireplaces provided. Firewood can be brought with you and we will transport it for you, or you can purchase firewood from base camp. Please do not collect wood from the natural environment. Dead bushes and branches provide important habitat for a wide variety of insects and animals and are a vital part of the fire load in the veld for natural burning cycles.

When to Hike and the Weather

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.

Age and Fitness

The Baviaans Canyon Trail is a relatively difficult hike, with days averaging 16km per day.  The hike is designed for people of good hiking fitness.  This trails demands respect- unfit hikers should not attempt the trail.

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 10 – but encourage you to be realistic about your own ability and limits. All hikers 10 to 14 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.

Vertigo

It is hard to predict how each individual hiker that suffers from vertigo will react.  Feedback to date suggests that most people will be fine on the trail, though people with extreme vertigo should not do the hike. 

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

Important Safety Considerations

There is no cell phone reception on the trail, and very little vehicle access.  All hiking groups are provided with a satellite phone for emergencies. The Baviaans Canyon Trail goes through natural wilderness with all the risks associated with wild animals, snakes, insects, unpredictable weather and a strenuous hike. Carry the following safety items with you: first aid kit, survival bag, thermal blanket.

In the event of mountain fires or floods, stay together and use your best judgement as to the safest course of action.  Seek natural shelter and avoid high areas during dangerous weather such as thunderstorms.

The area has a variety of venomous snakes, including puff-adders and Cape cobra. Refresh your knowledge of how to handle snake/spider bites and scorpion stings. Leopard spoor is often seen on the trail, and very occasionally you may catch a glimpse of one of these shy creatures during the day, however they pose no threat.

Baboons in the area still have their natural caution and fear of humans. They will move away when they see hikers. They do not come to the campsites looking for human food. Your support and cooperation in this regard is very important. Please do not feed the baboons. Do not leave food out or throw scraps into the bushes. 

Directions to Baviaans Interpretive Centre

Option A: Coming from Willowmore (1 hour travel time)

Head out from Willowmore on the N9 towards Uniondale. Three kilometers out of Willowmore, take the road on your left signposted “Baviaanskloof”. Keep going straight on this road for 37.3 km. The Centre will be on your left hand side.

Option B: Coming from Uniondale (1 hour 30 minutes travel time)

Head out of Uniondale on the N9 to Willowmore. After 53.7 km turn right into a dirt road, with a sign board saying “Baviaanskloof”. Keep going straight on this road for 37.3 km. The Centre will be on your left hand side.

Option C: Coming from Patensie through the Baviaanskloof ( Travel time about 6 hours – this route requires a 4×4 vehicle).

Leaving Patensie, head into the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site. Travel through the reserve, keeping on the main dirt road. Once you have left the main stone gate of the Wilderness Area on the Western end near Sandvlakte, travel for another 67 km.   The Centre will be on your right hand side.

Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site Reserve

The Baviaans Canyon Trail is set inside the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site owned and managed by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency.  The trail is run by Go Baviaans on a long-term concession.

This partnership for both the Leopard Trail and the Baviaans Canyon Trail is a testament for how government and private initiative can work together for the benefit of our communities and the development of tourism in our province.