6-Day Hike- Silver Sands Trail
The Silver Sands Trail is a 5-night 6-day slack-packing trail along the Northern Cape west coast of South Africa in the Namaqua National Park. The beauty of this hike is the Namaqua flower season and also the unspoiled vastness of the Namaqualand it’s wildlife and long outstretched beaches.
The total distance is 48km with a difficult factor of 3 along sandy roads and the beach.
Basecamp is on the beachfront at Bamboescamp and consist of 3x3m Dome tents, fitted with two comfortable stretcher and camping mattress, hot showers, kitchen and communial tents. Toilets are Eco friendly systems supplied by SANParks and maintained by them.
Please take note that:
There is no water or wood along the coast. We need to bring everything in.
No cellphone reception, no development or facilities of any kind.
Please do not waste and use water sparingly.
Groups of Minimum 8 persons and maximum of 16 persons per hike all year round except during the raining season, which is, May to July.
Day 1: Get together in Garies.
We meet at Kaap Agri’s Caltex petrol station in Garies between 12:00 and 13:00. From here we will all drive to the farm Soutrivier where we will leave the vehicles and transfer to Silver Sands vehicles and transported to the Base Camp at Bamboes Bay in the Namaqua National Park.
Here we will settle in and enjoy the environment with welcome drinks and a warm cooked supper later.
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Day 2: Spoegriver Caves to the seals. (16KM)
Breakfast will be served between 07:00 and 08:00. Today, we have a long drive to the Spoeg River Caves, an important archaeological site, from where we start our first day of hiking. The hike is along sandy roads and beaches for most of the way. It has a rating of +- 3/5 because of the sandy terrain and the distance is +-16km. We will be guided along the spectacular coastline all the way to the seal colony where we will be picked up and returned to Base Camp for warm showers, sundowners and a delicious meal. The hike is not suitable for small children but children from the age of 12 and upwards will be able to complete the distance.
Day 3: Silver Sands Dune Trail. (18KM)
Today is the longest stretch of the hike, but it is not as difficult as the previous day. Although we are still going to walk along some sandy roads and beaches, it is easier than the previous day. We will hike through the moving white dunes of the Namaqua National Park, along spectacular silver beaches, past granite rock formations and seals lazing on the rocks. Along the way we can also enjoy the coastal birdlife. At the end of the hike, we will be transported to the historic Maclear’s Beacon for sundowners and snacks before heading back to the Base Camp to relax with a sundowner while dinner is being prepared.
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Day 4: Groenriver to Base Camp. (14KM)
Today we will be exploring the southern part of the Namaqua National Park. After being dropped off 14 km from the Base Camp, we will hike back at our leisure to experience the tranquillity of the area. The walk takes us past more rock formations and the opportunity to enjoy the ice cold West Coast water – if you are brave enough to take a dip. This is not a long hike and most people will usually finish by 14:00 so that they can take the afternoon off just to explore their immediate surroundings or lie back on the rocks to enjoy the moment. Oom Gert Sarrisam, who is almost 90 years old, might visit us this afternoon to sell some of his books. He is a farmer in the area and is as part of the land as the duiker and gemsbok (oryx). He wrote several books about the area and the stories of the people who have lived there for decades.
Day 5: Flower Circle route. (12KM)
After breakfast we will hike from Base Camp along the coast to Kwass se Baai where we will turn east, following an old track for about 6 km until we get to an old dam. Here we will turn north, following another old track for about 3 km through the veld with its spring flowers, succulents and shrubs before we turn west and head back to Base Camp along the beach. Here we will spend our last night together feasting on what has been prepared for us after a hot shower and a relaxing drink as the sun sets in the west after a good hiking day.
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Day 6: Tour ends back in Lutzville. (This is optional and at own cost R150 p/p)
After breakfast, we pack up and head back to the vehicles from where we depart to Garies and then drive to Lutzville where we conclude the tour with a wine/ sparkling grape juice tasting and some platters.
If you do have a Wild Card, please bring it along so that you don’t have to pay the conservation fee for the Namaqua National Park.
Important Things to pack!
- Small day back pack
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Good hiking shoes
- Own toiletries
- Warm wind breaker
- Hiking gear, warm clothes for evenings.
- If preferred, own water bottle
- Own sleeping bag and pillow
- Extra hiking snacks if wanted.
- Camera and binoculars.
It all starts with a unknown trail, with you leaving everything behind and walking off to where your thought are wondering around. Breath let go and remind yourself that this very moment is the only one that you know you have for sure.
