A lot can happen between Cape Town and 380km of road. This is your chance to put city life on pause and take a walk on the wild side. Robyn Simpson spent two days on foot in Gondwana’s 11 000ha reserve, where the Big Five roam free.
Gondwana Private Game Reserve is the place to ‘just bring your boots’ and embark on a three-night, all-inclusive Pioneer Trail, walking 20km over two days in a fynbos biome. It’s not all rough and tough, though. This slack packing adventure is beautifully balanced between grit and zhuzh. Along the way, you’ll stay at three fully kitted glampsites that include the finest service and amenities – perfect pitstops to be spoilt rotten before heading out into the bush, where you can really get in touch with nature.
The intricacies of the landscape completely suck you in. You become hyperaware of the smallest details, so when you look up and see two white rhinos resting less than a hundred metres away, you’ll be gobsmacked. – Cape {town} Etc, autumn 2023 magazine. Read the full story here.
A three-day adventure:
The Pioneer Trail basics: three days, three themed camps, two days of walking, and lots to learn along the way. Everything is included. Keep this in mind:
- Walks are guided by expert rangers, like André Erasmus and Christiaan Smit.
- You don’t need a lot of, or professional, gear.
- Luggage is transported between camps for you.
- You’ll be given a supplied duffle bag to walk with.
All things considered:
At every campsite, you’ll have:
- A semi-permanent tent with a king-sized bed (complete with silky sheets and a fluffy duvet), a proper toilet, a single vanity station with a sink and mirror, a quaint desk and – my favourite – a bath. If you prefer a shower, you’ll be treated to an outdoor version that’s either adjacent to or a short path away from your tent. Remember to pack slops for the walk back.
- Covered seating areas outside each tent entrance with chairs to enjoy the view. You’ll also find a headlight (don’t forget this when venturing out for dinner), a whistle for emergencies (campsites are not fenced off), and the all-important mozzie spray.
- Hot, running water; electricity and USB portals for cell phones (but no cell service). Remember to pack an adapter if your phone takes a USBC.
- Soaps and shampoos, but you need to pack a sponge.
Unique to each site is a general theme, reflected in the decor and menu, the stunning views and the proximity of the shower.
Day 1, Camp East Africa:
Day one is all about setting the mood. You won’t be walking, but you’ll be introduced to the bush in spectacular fashion. This is glamping at its finest, far surpassing any blow-up mattress experience. You’ll be treated to:
- Lunch.
- A beautiful drive to Camp East Africa. We spotted a heard of elephants, and other delightful creatures, along the way.
- Afternoon tea, which includes access to the unlimited bar.
- Another stunning drive, this time to the plain, where you’ll enjoy sundowners while you watch the sunset.
- A South African-inspired dinner followed by more drinks and storytelling around the bonfire.
- A blissful rest in your glamorous accommodation.
The plain offered panoramic views of earth and sky, and, while drinks were being poured from a little fold-up table, I found myself spinning in circles to see the whole thing. This is the African sunset so many travel to see – and it did not disappoint. – Cape {town} Etc, autumn 2023 magazine. Read the full story here.
Day 2, Camp Mozambique:
Let the Pioneer Trail begin. You’ll walk the furthest on day one, 12km. Along the way, you’ll stop for freshly brewed coffee and snacks, and a packed lunch for the second stop. You’ll end at Camp Mozambique, where you’ll be treated to afternoon tea. Here’s what to expect on day two:
- A breakfast spread, featuring creamy oats, granola, croissants, eggs…the works.
- Put your tekkies on and get ready to walk.
- A 12km guided walk, on which you’ll learn, laugh and see a lot. We saw everything from white rhino to unique spider nests, and plenty of beautiful blommetjies. The walk is relatively flat and the pace is mild, perfect for everyone at any age or fitness level.
- A packed lunch in the bush.
- Arrive at Camp Mozambique and enjoy afternoon tea, a good rest and a fabulous seafood feast for dinner.
The Pioneer Trail’s enchantment began to take hold much earlier than I had anticipated. Suddenly, our focus shifted to seeing who could spot the first dung beetle. It’s hard not to be captivated by the small things when André and Chris start bouncing in their boots at the sight of delicate blooms. Read the full story here.
Day 3, Camp Morocco:
Next, you’ll walk 8km and end at the final site, Camp Morocco, which is the most vibrant of the three, featuring colourful draping and mosaic lights.
- You’ll begin with a hearty cooked breakfast, eggs Benedict, if you’re lucky.
- Then it’s time to walk again. On this day, you start with a steep hill before the land flattens again.
- You’ll walk through a fynbos biome, perhaps spot an elephant snacking on sugar bushes – we did.
- Towards the end of the walk, there’s a watering hole that, if vacant, you can swim in. Camp Morocco is just around the corner from here.
- At camp, you’ll again enjoy afternoon tea, a rest and dinner – a spread of Moroccan tagines.
A cool stream runs into a rock-encased pool that’s just deep enough to jump into but shallow enough to see the bottom, which is comforting. I hesitated taking a dip because walking in wet shorts is no fun, but it’s not often that you get to swim in a lion’s water bowl. So, I risked potential chafe and went for it. – Cape {town} Etc, autumn 2023 magazine. Read the full story here.
So much more than a holiday, the Pioneer Trail is a bush baptism of sorts. There’s a real sense of respect that’s instilled throughout; an opportunity to be a part of nature.
Make a booking:
- Location: Gondwana Private Game Reserve is located at R327, Herbertsdale, Western Cape
- Latitude: -34.0894878078209 , DMS: -34 ®5’ 22.156”
- Longitude: 21.9118881225586, DMS: 21 ®54’ 42.796”
- Bookings: Book directly at gondwanagr.co.za or contact 021 555 0807/[email protected]
- 3-night all-inclusive package: R18 200 per person sharing, May to September 2023; R19 815 per person sharing, October 2023 to April 2024
- Departures: Monday or Thursday start, daily departures from October 2023
- Capacity: Up to eight people per Pioneer Trail
- Conservation levy: R450 per person per stay
- Instagram: @gondwanagr
This article was adapted from Cape {town} Etc’s autumn issue. Read the full story here. (There’s a lot more to this tale, including an elephant charge…or two).
Also read:
Gondwana Private Game Reserve: Where luxury and wilderness meet
Picture: Supplied