Activity of the month - Chokka Trail

Activity Of The Month – The Chokka Trail

Three picturesque fishing villages, a rugged coastline, sand dunes as far as the eye can see, a tidal river, protected fynbos, wetlands and a visit to South Africa’s only privately owned working harbour. These are the ingredients that make up the Chokka Trail, a slack packing trail through St Francis Bay, Port St Francis, Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay. This is the best possible opportunity to see and experience just how beautiful the area is – on foot, at your own pace and with overnight accommodation at beautiful guesthouses.

The four day, three night trail starts at the St Francis Links, where hikers have the option of leaving their vehicles in a secure parking where it will be safe for the duration of the hike. Hikers will then be transported to Oyster Bay, a holiday village about 20km to the west, and start the Chokka Trail experience with a warm-up walk to Thysbaai, an out-and-back of up to 14km – or whatever distance tickles your fancy. Oyster Bay Lodge is the overnight accommodation establishment for the first evening.

Day two is when the trail starts in earnest, walking the length of the Sand River to St Francis Bay. The Sand River is a dune bypass system, a highway of non-stop rolling sand dunes.  Hikers get to enjoy a wonderful outlook of the Baviaanskloof Mountains in the north. At almost 18km, this is the longest section of the trail. The extent of the challenge will depend on weather conditions on the day, but it remains a privilege to enjoy the white washed dunes, leaving only footprints behind. Hikers will be picked up at the famous Sand River and taken to the overnight stop for the second night, the Cape St Francis Resort.

Day three starts at Mostertshoek, on the wild side east of Cape St Francis. The hike takes hikers through parts of the coastal cradle of humankind, along the shoreline of Cape St Francis and St Francis Bay, through a variety of fynbos , giving hikers a chance to see Southern Right whales, dolphins, otters and small game like duiker and bushbuck. A visit to the SANCCOB African Penguin Rehabilitation Centre at the Seal Point Lighthouse is a must, as they will be expecting hikers for an informative talk.  The highlight of the day is a calamari tasting (chokka) at Port St Francis, the only privately owned working harbour in South Africa, where hikers can also visit a working chokka boat.  From here the Two Harbours Walk brings hikers to the end of the 16km of day three at the Granny’s Pool, from where hikers will be transported to Brisan on the Canals. Weather permitting; hikers will enjoy a cruise on the famous St Francis Bay canals, before a few well-earned sundowners and dinner.

Day four finishes the trail with an 11km walk from The Cove via the Kromme River and Sand River to the side gate of St Francis Links, a world class Jack Nicklaus golf estate. A network of secret trails awaits to be explored, in the coastal thicket at the Links, alive with birds and animals. Caracal and bushbuck, bush pig and porcupine, mongoose and genet abound – will you be lucky enough to see them? The pathways wind through the forest and the wetlands, and eventually bring hikers to the road and the fairways, and back to the clubhouse for a farewell lunch.

The Chokka Trail is fully catered and includes bed and breakfast, packed lunches, dinner at the various accommodation establishments and luggage is transported between stops, while hikers carry only a day pack. It is also possible to do days one, two and three as day walks. Call Esti Stewart on 073-825-0835 for rates and information, please note, the trail is closed from 16 December to 7 January each year.