Chokka Trail Slack Packing

About Chokka Trail Slack Packing

While St Francis Bay, Oyster Bay, Cape St Francis and Port St Francis play host to slack packers on the Chokka Trial, ancient Khoisan fish traps, shell middens, southern right whales, otters and bushbuck, a sand sea, tidal river and unique fynbos species are some of the gems waiting to be discovered on this 4 day 3 night slack packing trail in the Kouga.

St Francis Links, a Jack Niklaus signature golf course, on the outskirts of St Francis Bay, is the start and finish of the Chokka Trail where hikers can leave their vehicles in the safety of the estate for the duration of the hike.

Day 1 includes a warm-up walk between Oyster Bay and Thyspunt, a circle route of 14km. Here you will be able to see the ancient fish traps during low tide, pass an unmarked grave and if you are lucky, schools of dolphin will follow you all the way. Dinner will be served on the deck of the Oyster Bay Beach Lodge, your first night's host.

Day 2 could be the longest walk at around 18km, and the conditions on the day will set the challenge. The Sand River is a dune bypass system and sand sea, where you may find spoor of bushbuck, porcupine, puff adder and if you are lucky, caracal. To the north lies the Baviaanskloof Mountains and to the west and south the ocean.

Your host of night 2, the Cape St Francis Resort will fetch you from the Sand River bridge and take you to Cape St Francis. They will also drop you off at Mostertshoek on the morning of day 3.

The third day takes you past the rocky shoreline and consist of many footpaths, jeep track and shell beaches until you reach Cape St Francis again. A visit to the SANCCOB Penguin Rehabilitation Centre and lighthouse is a must, before you proceed to Port St Francis, a privately owned working harbour.

At the Port you will enjoy a calamari tasting watching the activities around the chokka boats in the harbour. Some might be in the bay, or you will see their sharp lights at night. After the tasting you will tackle the last leg of the day, the Two Harbours Walk to the Granny's Pool, from where you will be fetched and taken to your last host, BriSan B&B on the St Francis canals.

Dinner might be a braai after a canal cruise (both weather permitting!), enjoying the beauty of the famous St Francis canals.

Day 4 starts with a short canal cruise to The Cove, from where you will follow the Kromme and Sand Rivers into the St Francis Links, where you will be guided through various secret hiking trails inside the Links. At about 10km you will reach the 18th hole, from where you will follow the golf cart track back to the Clubhouse where lunch will be served – and then it is good bye!

The total distance over 4 days is 58km, and the Chokka Trail includes bed and breakfast, lunch (packed) and dinners, the calamari tasting as well as a canal cruise.