Clarens San-traverse Slackpack

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Day 1 Arrival⌄

   Arrival at an historical guest-farm located in a picturesque setting just outside of Clarens town. Settle in, unpack and enjoy a hearty dinner.

   Meals: Dinner

   Overnight: Comfortable farm-style guesthouse with ensuite rooms.

2. 2Day 2 Distance 13.5 km - Including visit to Schaaplaats San cave painting site⌄

   We begin the day with a five km walk along a small tributary of the Caledon River through farm lands to the Schaaplaats rock art site, a national monument. This site has been given special prominence as home to paintings from some of the finest artists of the later stone age depicting, amongst others, therianthropes (a fusion between animal and human) and rain animals, both central symbols of the ancient shamanistic cere-monies. After a short rest we head up onto the Basotho montane highland with dramatic views of the village of Clarens nestled in the craggy limestone mountains of the Rooi and Witte Berg. Passing the legendary cannibal caves we make our way through the kloof ravine to our next over-night stop.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Comfortable farm-style guesthouse with ensuite rooms

3. 3Day 3 Distance 10.7 km - Including visit to Batwing Caves⌄

   The day starts with a gradual climb into a scenic kloof via inter-esting rock formations and a small waterfall via Batwing caves Making our way into sandstone ravines with streams winding their way through Ouhout forests, we past the ancient dwellings of the legendary cannibals of the Moshoeshoe tribes. Enjoy your guide’s well-researched but occasionally unorthodox interpretation of hidden bushman rock art sites depicting ancient trance ceremonies performed there thousands of years ago.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Comfortable farm-style guesthouse with ensuite rooms

4. 4Day 4 Distance: 5.5-10km - Including scenic walk through the biodiverse conservancy⌄

   The journey begins on the Clarens town square, continuing along a riverine path, we make our way up a mountain trail to the cliffs overlooking town where we are rewarded with views of Clarens, the peaks of Titanic, Naaupoortsnek and Mount Horeb. This contour path clinging to the cliffs is very beautiful but fairly exposed. For those that do not have a head for heights there is an option of a higher but longer path across the mountain. This is beautiful circular route beginning and ending in Clarens and encompassing all aspects of the Free State fauna, flora, and geology. Depending on the groups time schedules and energy levels there is optional day’s distance of between 5.5-10km. After a leisurely amble, you can wind down your slackpack weekend with a craft beer and a scrumptious lunch at one of the gourmet restaurants in Clarens. Just in time for an early afternoon departure.

   Meals: Breakfast