Namaqua Flower Hike

A journey through the unspoiled Schaap River Canyon

Find your balance again and adopt to the slow living pace of this five-day, fully-catered, slack-packing hike in the Namaqualand. In partnership with Nigramoep Slowliving Farm, we are proud to present this hike into the heartland of Namaqualand, operated only three times per year. Although it is called the Namaqua Flower Hike, you will soon realise that the area is so much more than just flowers.

Your eyes and soul will feast on the beauty of the Schaap River Canyon that stands witness to millenniums of geographical changes. Unique plants and flowers that has to be tough enough to survive the harsh conditions, bestow this area with their rare and delicate beauty. Carefully selected wild camping sites will leave you in awe of the nights full of stars.

The expert knowledge of our local Namaqualand-born guides on the geography and the fauna and flora, as well as their stories about the cultural history and heritage of the area, will make this hike an authentic experience.

True to the LIVE THE JOURNEY WAY, you can expect hearty hospitality from our support team, set against a backdrop of ancient, ocher-coloured valleys, mountains and canyons, accompanied by like-minded souls.

Carry only your daypack and come “home” to a tent pitched in the wild, a hot shower, excellent food and good wine. Also true to the LIVE THE JOURNEY WAY, we will only leave our footprints.

Take a break from the digital and techno world of every-day life and escape to a remote area as old as time.

Group size: 16 -20 hikers (tailor-made options available for private groups)

Duration: 5 nights, 6 days (of which day 1 is arrival and days 2 to 5 are hiking)

Distance: Approximately 65 km

Rating: The total elevation is about 850 m. The hiking surface differs from one-track donkey gravel roads to rocky areas where stability and good hiking shoes are required. This five-day, slack-packing hike with a total distance of approximately 65 km, varies in difficulty from easy to moderate, giving it a rating on average of between 5 and 6.5. (A rating of 1 being easy and 10 being difficult.) It is not a casual stroll through the wildflowers and although it is not a difficult hike, you need a certain level of fitness to do this hike and enjoy each day. 

2024 Dates:

• 23 - 28 August 2024

Tour prices valid from until 31 December 2023:

R 12,900 per person

2024 Hike rates to be advised. 

• 2 nights' shared accommodation in beautiful renovated houses (with bathroom facilities) at Nigramoep Slowliving Guest Farm
• 3 nights wild camping with your own tent
• Local guides and support team
• Transport and logistics of your luggage and camping gear to the overnight camps. Please make sure to pack light and use a soft duffle bag.
• All meals included – from arrival dinner at main guest house on day 1 to all breakfasts, lunch packs and scrumptious veld dinners with local specialties and spoils prepared by our local team on hiking days.  Breakfast and a special arrival celebration on day 6 will be included, but all else after arriving at the main guest house on day 6 is for your own account.
• You will pack your own lunch pack every morning. We will provide a variety of breads, cold meats, and snacks for you to choose from. Remember to bring your own lunch box with.
• Coffee and tea with meals and limited wine at dinner every evening is included. A cash honesty bar is available for beers, ciders and cool drinks every evening.
• Drinking and shower water.
• Showers and chemical toilets, set up each evening.
• Camping chair.
• Wood.
• A digital detox.

• Optional dinner, bed, and breakfast on day 6 at Nigramoep. Our hike ends upon return to Nigramoep Slowliving Guest Farm on day 6. For those who wish to stay an additional night to further enjoy some slow living, please let us know so that we can book an extra dinner, bed, and breakfast for you. This would be for your own account.
• All pre and post travel to Nigramoep (travel by road, flights, accommodation).
• Tent, mattress, sleeping bag and pillow.
• Daypack and hiking gear like walking sticks, water bottles, lunch box container, first aid and blister kit, own medications.
• We provide limited wine with your dinner. An honesty bar is available for beers, ciders and cool drinks during the hike, settled on your return to the guest farm at the end of the hike.
• Extra snacks – don’t bring too much. Previous hikers commented that they packed way too much.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Indemnity & Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Participants require a good level of fitness. An indemnity form must be completed by all hikers.

Hikers will also be required to have emergency medical evacuation insurance, whether through your medical aid or travel insurance, proof of which will be required prior to the hike.

Special Dietary Requirements
Our guide team will walk the extra mile to cater for your needs. However, given the conditions under which this tour/hike is operated it is not possible to cater for all dietary requirements. Also, variation and availability of supplies in the area is very limited. We can cater for vegetarians, pescatarians, and gluten free diets. If you do not fall within these categories, we would like to recommend that you discuss your requirements with us and where possible, make provision for your own meal requirements.

Pack list
A complete list of what to pack will be provided after your booking is confirmed.
Hikers must bring: a day pack; walking sticks (compulsory); hiking gear; face net; lunch box; water bottles for carrying water during the day; plasters and blister-care goodies; all items of a personal nature; tent (pop-up recommended) and bedding.

Your hike includes coffee and tea with meals, and limited wine each night with dinner. Hikers may bring their own alcoholic beverages to enjoy, however keep in mind that space is limited as everything must be transported. There will also be an honesty cash bar available during the hike for beers, ciders and cool drinks. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks to nibble on in between meals, but there is ample food to pack every morning. Remember to bring your own lunch box container.

Pre-travel arrangements and accommodation
Hikers are responsible for their own pre-hike travel and accommodation arrangements. You are however, welcome to ask our consultants to assist with and to handle arrangements on your behalf.

Fill out the form below to request a full itinerary.