Private Tour
Clarens San-traverse Slackpack
Overview
Available languages
96 hours
Mobile ticket
A unique experience that encompasses the best of the Clarens and Golden Gate area of the Free State. Fully guided with comfortable accommodation and delicious meals provided. Daily hikes are especially curated for this tour and use trails on private land not ordinarily accessible to the general public. Your charismatic guide provides unique insights into the local culture, geography and history. A highlight are visits to hidden and spectacular San rock art paintings. Minimum numbers per group 4 pax-12pax
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What To Expect
Day 1 Arrival
Accommodations
Comfortable farm-style guesthouse with ensuite rooms.
Food and Drinks
DINNER
Dinner
Clarens
Arrival at an historical guest-farm located in a picturesque setting just outside of Clarens town. Settle in, unpack and enjoy a hearty dinner.
Day 2 Distance 13.5 km - Including visit to Schaaplaats San cave painting site
Accommodations
Comfortable farm-style guesthouse with ensuite rooms
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Clarens
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.
Day 3 Distance 10.7 km - Including visit to Batwing Caves
Accommodations
Comfortable farm-style guesthouse with ensuite rooms
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Clarens
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.
Day 4 Distance: 5.5-10km - Including scenic walk through the biodiverse conservancy
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Clarens
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.
What‘s Included
Landing and facility fees
Transfers where applicable
Transport to and from base accommodation. To supply own drinks.
Options
Clarens San-traverse Slackpack
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A manageable, well organised and very enjoyable slack pack with Spekboom Tours
lyndablackbeard,,Oct 22, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I would highly recommend this slackpack hike to anyone wanting to get outdoors and experience the beauty of the Clarens area with it's unique landscape and rock formations and caves. It has a story all of its own and Adrian (our guide) was so full of knowledge & passion that gives one a whole new insight into the rock art and the people who once lived in the area. Adrian's dog Bella was a real star and her enthusiasm was contagious - encouraging us on even under very hot and dry hiking conditions. Julia/Spekboom Tours organises everything with such a personal touch and nothing is too much to ask. St Fort Farm accommodation was spacious and comfortable and the meals and packed lunches etc were all prepared with such genuine care. It was truly a time out from daily stresses and demands - a perfect time to breathe deep and put things back into perspective. To connect & relax with friends or family or both, laugh, excercise and appreciate the beauty around one. Clarens is also a lovely little town to explore in free time. Thank you Julia and team for putting together such an amazing few days.
Clarens Hiking
Eedes100,,Sep 19, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful three days hiking in the Clarens area. Our guide Adrian was 5 star and brought a new perspective to the rock art in the area. St Fort Guest Farm was the perfect place to stay and our host Liesle went out of her way to make us feel welcome.
Wonderful landscapes
yollie2021,,Sep 12, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed every moment of this hike. The landscapes were beautiful, despite the recent fires and drought. Adrian and Bella were great guides. The accommodation at St Fort Farm was superb and the lunch packs, meals and friendly staff were awesome!
Wonderful experience
BJLPPTW7,,Dec 30, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did this hike through Spekboom Tours and thoroughly recommend it. The accommodation was amazing and the scenery is stunning. Everything was very well organised and everyone involved was so helpful. Hiking with Adrian and Bella was so enjoyable, he was very knowledgeable which made it more interesting and always made sure we were happy with the pace or whether we wanted to rest or not.
Unique experience
jodouwes,,Dec 17, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic slackpack with just the right mix of beautiful hiking, history/culture and good food! The views are spectacular and learning about the history of the area was fascinating. Accommodation was extremely comfortable and the food was wholesome and delicious. Thank you Julia, Jonathan and Adrian 😉
Amazing slackpack hike
PurpleTuraco,,Dec 14, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thanks to Spekboom for arranging such a brilliant hike. The trail is incredibly diverse and stunningly beautiful. We visited natural caves, under massive sandstone cliffs, saw and learnt about ancient bushman paintings, passed through high grasslands and forested gorges. The views were breathtaking and at times we were able to see deep into Lesotho and across the Maluti mountains. Spekboom provided all the delicious meals and ensured that our overnight bags were safely transported. Accommodation was super comfy. We stayed in some beautiful farm houses which had everything we needed. I was also impressed with our guide. He had such a passion for the Bushman art - I was literally transported back in time when he spoke about the ceremonies and journeys of the Bushman shamans. Oh, he also kept us laughing! Did I mention that the hike starts and finishes in the beautiful Clarens!! All in all an amazing experience. Thanks!!
Hiking and relaxing
saauntie,,Dec 14, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The best part was the beauty of the area.. The mountains,the lovely village.. terrific shops and quaint eating places. My advice to future visitors...stay longer than you had planned...a weekend is not enough.
Magical Malutis
bigsmile4africa,,Dec 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow - what a trip! A little apprehensive going to Clarens which I feel at the best of times is somewhat ‘country-commercial’… This hike offered the best of both worlds. Situated on the outskirts of town, one stays at historical farm stays from yesteryear, all of which have a story. The hiking route is most picturesque with many a stop for a stunning photo opportunity. The highlights were the bushmen paintings - an African treasure! And to top it off, guide Julia from Spekboom Tours was most attentive, genuine and really added a unique touch to the slackpack experience. It was a lovely few days to recharge the batteries, and to appreciate South Africa’s beautiful landscapes! Many thanks Julia, for a fantastic trip. Cannot wait to explore your other Spekboom slackpack trips.
Brilliant
PeachtreeBLP,,Dec 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic guiding and lots of interesting facts. Accommodation outstanding, not to mention the food which was out of this world. Cant wait for the next one...
Magical Maluti Mountain Hike
bridgetr186,,Dec 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I thoroughly enjoyed this hike, which was so different to the Drakensberg hiking I have done. It had such a wonderfully rich history culturally and botanically that was shared so well by our animated guide Adrian. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular and is not overly tough either, the days were a decent and do-able distance of 8 -14km with plenty of stops to enjoy the amazing geology, Khoi San painting and flowers. Julia's a ttention to details and finding incredible routes is fantastic. She really puts in so much, to find fascinating and exquisite off-the-beaten track places to explore.
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Operated by Spekboom Tours