join our 4-night
slackpacking trail
Discover the wonders of Walker Bay’s nature, culture and heritage on this new upmarket hiking trail. It’s a five-day, four-night hiking adventure on the south-west coast of South Africa that journeys through fynbos, forests and along the coast – with luxury touches all along the way.
Walker Bay Diversity Trail
5-day, 4-night slackpacking hiking trail pricing
From R 12 250 to
R 14 350 per person
The Diversity Trail is five-day, four-night hiking trail, based at the magnificent Bellavista Country Place. The trail offers daily guided walking excursions to explore the glorious fynbos, forests, dunes, caves, coastline, wines and botanical art of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy. And at the end of each busy day, you can enjoy our delicious meals, rim-flow pool, spectacular views over Walker Bay and finally relax in your luxury ensuite bedrooms.
Itinerary
Day 1
The Walker Bay Diversity Trail experience starts at the Stanford Kitchen Restaurant in the town of Stanford at 1pm, with a light lunch accompanying your welcome.
We then walk through the historical village and down to the beautiful Stanford River. Here we board the Lady Stanford and enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruising the river, enjoying the magnificent scenery and the bird life with our knowledgeable guide.
The day concludes with a short drive to Bellavista Country Place and dinner with magnificent panoramic views over Walker Bay.
Day 2 | 11km
Wake up to a delicious breakfast with views over Walker Bay followed by a day exploring the Grootbos Nature Reserve forests and fynbos. The trail takes hikers to the Growing the Future farm where much of the fresh produce enjoyed on the trail is sourced. It then winds through the Steynsbos milkwood forest and up to Pinnacle Peak with magnificent views of the ocean and the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy. It then leads down through beautiful fynbos landscapes to the Grootbos Environmental Centre for a picnic lunch next to the dam (a perfect spot for a swim on a warm day).
After lunch the trail takes you into the incredible Witvoetskloof valley. Breathe the fresh untouched air in this ageless forest. We walk along an old flower picking route as we head back to Bellavista Country Place, with magnificent views of Walker Bay along the way.
After a full day of walking, we will enjoy wine tasting from the award-winning Lomond Wines before a delicious dinner.
Day 3 | 9km
We start the day with another mouth-watering breakfast, and then explore the Walker Bay coastline.
The trail leads through the magnificent coastal fynbos on Grootbos Nature Reserve. From there we head into the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, and walk through a remote dune field, onto the Plaat beach. We stroll along the white sands to the world-renowned archaeological site at Klipgat Cave – the home of Middle Stone Age and Late Stone Age people. Inside the cave, our guide will interpret the fascinating insights into early human occupation along this coastline.
The trail then proceeds along the De Kelders cliffs (where there are great opportunities to view Southern Right Whales between June and November) for a delicious homemade lunch and then we head towards the Stanford Cove – a protected swimming inlet. From here you’ll be transported back to Bellavista Country Place for local wine tasting and dinner.
Day 4 | 9km
The day starts with a delicious breakfast followed by an exploration of the incredible art, wine and culture of the Walker Bay region.
We head out on the trail which winds through the magnificent fynbos landscapes of Flower Valley Farm and Lomond Wines before dropping down through the vineyards, discovering how the complex interactions between soil, climate and grape produces their award-winning wines. After the morning walk, we will enjoy a picnic lunch and a tasting of some of the estate’s premium wines.
The afternoon will be spent exploring the Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery, which includes South Africa’s first Fynbos Florilegium – a unique collection of botanical art, on the Grootbos Nature Reserve. We take a moment to relax, and discover the incredible conservation and community work taking place through the Grootbos Foundation.
At the final gala dinner, you will be treated to a culinary botanical extravaganza – time to reminisce and celebrate great memories on the Diversity Trail.
Day 5
Check out is after a leisurely breakfast at Bellavista Restaurant the following morning.
The trail is a five-day, four-night slackpacking hike – undertaken in pure luxury.
A four-night guided hiking trail with our knowledgeable FGASA accredited guide
Luxury ensuite accommodation at Bellavista Country Place
Delicious home-cooked meals throughout your stay
A welcome lunch at Stanford Kitchen Restaurant followed by a birding boat trip down the Stanford River
Exclusive access to private trails through Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy’s untouched fynbos and secret forests
A coastal journey along the pristine Walker Bay coastline with a visit to the world-renowned archaeological site at Klipgat Cave
The chance to see an incredible display of the frolicking whales just off the coastline in season
A guided walk through the Lomond Wine Farm vineyards and a tasting of their premium wines.
Exclusive tour to the Grootbos Florilegium and Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art gallery at the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
And a gala dinner on the final evening with a fynbos botanicals twist!
Accommodation during your hike
For the duration of the hike, you’ll stay at the glorious Bellavista Country Place. All the rooms are large, ensuite and very comfortable but do differ in layout and size and have been priced accordingly. If you want your own room, then a 30% single supplement will apply.
The prices listed below are per person sharing, all inclusive. They therefore include your guided hike, all your meals, and the accommodation.
Protea Suite
Sea view luxury suite- Cost is all inclusive, covering the hike, all meals, wine tastings and accommodation.
- Each of the two luxury sea view suites has a large lounge, spacious bedroom with an ensuite bathroom.
- It features a comfortable king-size bed.
- Each suite has a patio with outdoor furniture.
- The Protea Suite comes with a double bathtub and with a “star-gazing” glass ceiling. It also has a shower.
Sunbird Suite
Sea view luxury suite- Cost is all inclusive, covering the hike, all meals, wine tastings and accommodation.
- Each of the two luxury sea view suites has a large lounge, spacious bedroom with an ensuite bathroom.
- Each suite has a patio with outdoor furniture.
- It features two beds which can be transformed into a comfortable king-size bed.
- The Sunbird Suite comes with a large double-shower, a bidet and WC.
Disa Suite
Junior suite- Cost is all inclusive, covering the hike, all meals, wine tastings and accommodation.
- Large bedroom, ensuite with bath, shower, double basins; comfortable relaxing area with coffee/tea facilities.
- It features two beds which can be transformed into a comfortable king-size bed.
- The Disa Suite is between the two sea view suites in the separate guesthouse building.
- Enjoy the quiet and peaceful surrounds.
Oystercatcher
Mountain cottage- Cost is all inclusive, covering the hike, all meals, wine tastings and accommodation.
- It features two beds which can be transformed into a comfortable king-size bed. There is also a mezzanine-floor loft room with two single beds. The two beds on the mezzanine floor can only be booked by families or close friends.
- Enquire about our special family and close friends rate on this unit. Ensuite bath with hand shower and toilet. Separate shower, basin, and toilet. The kitchen is fully equipped, and there is an open-plan dining and living area. Mountain Cottage is privately located and has a patio with outdoor furniture.
- The cottage sleeps two adults and two children.
Dragonfly Suite
Sea view room- Cost is all inclusive, covering the hike, all meals, wine tastings and accommodation.
- A spacious master bedroom with king-size bed; ensuite bathroom with double basins, shower, bidet and toilet.
- Also features an additional bedroom with two single beds through a communicating door for children or family members. The bathroom is shared.
- Direct entrance/exit to swimming pool. Sweeping views over the mature park-like garden and fynbos-rich landscape and the Atlantic Ocean.
