The award-winning Gondwana Game Reserve on the Garden Route is launching its Pioneer Trail – a three-day walking safari for groups of up to eight guests – in November. Think Big Five safari amid spectacular botanical biodiversity

Each trail will occupy a different vegetation type on the Gondwana game reserve

Expert trail guides will reveal the 11000-hectare reserve’s unique biodiversity, eco systems, Big Five, and multiple species of antelope in a fynbos-covered, malaria free landscape. Covering 15 – 20km over two days, the wilderness trail takes bush walkers on exclusive, remote footpaths and game trails to three remote tented camp locations.

Each night is spent in an unfenced camp with guests carrying a light day pack. Overnight kits are sent ahead to the next camp.

Slack packing adventure

High tea and G&Ts await the hikers as they arrive to their new camp with walk-in tents and claw foot tubs in the en-suite bathroom facilities, each evening. Every comfort is provided. Meals made around the campfire are elegantly served in the dining tent or under the stars in the boma.

Meals made around the campfire are elegantly served in the dining tent or under the stars in the boma

With views of the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains, Gondwana’s open grassland and fynbos landscape makes it perfect for walking in summer when other parts of South Africa are too hot. Gondwana is home to lion, hippo, elephant, rhino, buffalo, eland, giraffe, and zebra, but it is the diversity of plant life that makes walking so unique on Gondwana.

Just one of the thousands of Fynbos plant species to be found on the Godwana reserve

The reserve boasts 1000 species of Fynbos, succulents and Renosterveld plants, many of which can only be found on the reserve and nowhere else in the world, attracting prolific endemic bird life.

Just bring your boots

“The Pioneer Trail will access areas of the game reserve that are inaccessible to vehicles including the spectacular remote tented camp locations. Guests can truly appreciate the reserve’s fynbos landscape comprising 1000s of colourful flowers, bulbs and succulents at close range.

Gondwana Fynbos Conservation Experience
Plants include the King Protea and endemic species of birds

“Each trail will occupy a different vegetation type on the game reserve,’’ says Mark Rutherfoord, founder of Gondwana Game Reserve

“Exciting amenities at each of the three tented camps will delight our guests as they navigate the trail as it moves to three different camp locations on the Reserve.”

Gondwana’s Pioneer Trail

  • The Pioneer Trail will operate from November 2019 – April 2020.  Participants must be over 12 years and capable of walking six hours a day
  • Costing R12,750 per person sharing, the three-night package includes tented accommodation, daily activities, all meals and select local beverages.
  • Email reservations@gondwanagr.co.za or call +27 (0)21 555 0807.

The nearby coastal town of Mossel Bay – just 30 minutes by car – makes for a great day trip with deep sea fishing tours and whale watching opportunities.