Is there a shuttle service from George Airport

We have a shuttle service to and from the George Airport for up to 12 people.  We can also arrange custom pickups from other nearby towns.

Incoming Shuttle: Service includes pickup at George Airport, a stop at the George Mall for shopping (Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Food Lovers Market) and then the 3 hour trip to the Baviaanskloof. Drop off at the Leopard Trail base camp.

Outgoing Shuttle: Pick up at Leopard Trail base camp and drop off at the George Airport

What facilities are at the overnight camps?

Our overnight sites each have three sleeping units (sleeping 4 per hut in ) and one central catering unit.  The catering units are there to give you a communal space for your group to hang out, make food and have a great time with your hiking mates. There is solar lighting in the communcal unit. Inside each catering unit are gas stove tops, cooking and eating utensils – no need to bring those along. There is also a wood burning fireplace. Each site has a braai area and braai grid. 

You will need to clean all the kitchen equipment and utensils before leaving in the morning – the next group of hikers will appreciate it.

Each campsite has flush toilets, and hot showers.

Each site has a splash pool.

What equipment is provided in the kitchen?

The kitchens are fully equipped with everything you need and you do not need to bring any additional equipment.   There are 4 stove plates.  There are no ovens or microwaves.   Dish soap and cloths are provided. The total equipment list is shown in the images below (toggle through the views to see all the items): 

How big are the slack packing boxes, and how many do we get?

Each group of 12 hikers gets 12 boxes, 3 insulated cool boxes and 1 electric cool box.

The black boxes are 465mm x 736mm, and 350mm deep.

The 3 insulated cool boxes internal dimensions are 260mm x 500mm, x 310mm deep.

The electric cool box internal dimensions are 250mm x 510mm, and 360 mm deep.

If you only have a booking for a single hut, then your group will receive 4 black boxes and 1 insulated cool box. Space inside the electric cool box will be shared with the other 2 huts.

Must everything we take fit in the boxes?

Yes, we will not transport anything that is not inside the boxes.  You cannot strap things like pillows, sleeping bags or smaller bags to the outside of the box.

Can we take our own cool-box on the trail? 

No.  The routes our bakkies travel are rough, and we do not want to run the risk of damaging any private cool boxes.  In addition our transport system is very tightly packed and designed for the exact size of each of the boxes and cool boxes we provide.

Do we need to bring bedding?

Yes. Bedding is not provided at the base camp or overnight camps.  Hikers can choose to bring a sleeping bag or other bedding.  The mattresses are single mattresses, that are 30cm high.  Your bedding needs to be inside your black box with all your other supplies and clothes, so ensure you are not bringing your best lush duvet that leaves no space for anything else.

Is the water drinkable, and is there water along the trail?

There are water tanks at each overnight campsite that provide water for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and hot water showers. This water is piped in from the nearest mountain streams and is good to drink.  We cannot guarantee river water being available on each day along the trail.

Is firewood provided?

1 Bag of firewood, along with firelighters and matches, is provided at each camp.  Extra fire wood can be ordered and paid for at the base camp before your hike starts.  This extra fire wood will be delivered to your camps on each day.

Can we order ice to be delivered each day to the camps?

Ice can be ordered and paid for at base camp before you leave on your hike.  This ice will be delivered to your camps each day.

Can we order beer for each day?  Will you also deliver our own drinks?

Yes, our superb Baviaans Brew lager can be ordered and paid for at the base camp to be delivered on each day of the trail.  This is an easy drinking lager made for us by Darling Brewery.

No, we will not deliver your own drinks each day.  Drinks that you bring with you need to fit inside your black boxes or cool boxes from the start.

What weather can I expect when I am hiking?

The Leopard Trail is a great hike at any time of year.

Summer is hot with the daily average in December, January and February at 28 degrees Celsius.  Days can get up to the mid 30s, so you need to get up very early and walk to avoid as much of the heat as possible.  Each camp has a pool with clear mountain water, making a summer hike a great opportunity to hike early and spend the day swimming and relaxing at the camp sites.  Afternoon thunderstorms are common.

Autumn and Spring (March, April, May, September, October and November) can provide great fair weather hiking, with average temperatures in the early 20s. As winter approaches, an occasional cold front will blow through, dropping temperatures considerably.  The swimming pools are great on the hot days, while the fire places inside the communal huts keep you warm on cold days.

Winter is a favourite for many hikers with cool days hiking if you don’t like the heat.  The fire places in the communal hut are a winner, with groups gathering together around the fire with warm drinks and good times.  Temperatures in June, July and August average around 16 degrees Celsius.  Nights drop to zero though, so make sure you have a warm sleeping bag to sleep well on our great mattresses.

Rain in the Baviaanskloof is an unpredictable affair. All months of the year have only around 4 days of rain per month so, statistically, your chances of dry weather are pretty good.  However, it is possible for short term flooding throughout the year.

Like all mountain areas, the Baviaanskloof can experience a range of weather conditions over any 4-day period. You are advised to prepare for rain, wind, cold and heat.

What time do we need to arrive at the base camp on the day we start hiking?

Your group needs to start hiking before 2pm.  Take into account that it will take 2 hours to pack your boxes and receive the compulsory briefing, so we recommend arriving at base camp no later than 12pm.  

Can we get a lift from camp to camp if we cannot hike?

How fit do I  need to be?

You need to be hiking fit.  This is a relatively difficult hike, and for your own enjoyment, come fit and with feet prepared to be walked on.

The recommended age range of 12 to 65 years is used as indicative, due to the physical demands of the trail.  We will not stop hikers outside of this age range except children under the age of 6 – but encourage you to be realistic about your own ability and limits. All hikers 6 to 12 years of age must be accompanied by their parents/guardians who will be legal signatories to Indemnity Forms. There are relatively steep ascents and descents, so please be cautious if you have previously injured your ankles and/or knees.

I am afraid of heights and get vertigo.  Can I do this hike?

This is a hard question to answer, as people with this issue have different levels of sensitivity.  Most hikers who say they have this issue have completed the hike and provided feedback that they have been fine.  A few have had an issue on the final climb on day 4.

Is there cell phone reception and wifi on the trail?

There is WiFi at the base camp.

There is no cell phone reception on the trail.  Each day’s group is provided with a satellite phone, however these are locked for emergency calls to our emergency support and response team only.  If you need to be in contact with work or family at all times please rent your own sat phone – we can recommend Sat4rent.

Is there a freezer or fridge at base camp I can leave food in while I am hiking, or can I leave my own electric cool box plugged in somewhere?

Yes. We do have a freezer at base camp dedicated to this purpose in which hikers can leave frozen food.

No. There is no fridge for hikers to leave food in while hiking.

No. You cannot leave your own electric cool box plugged in.  We run off solar and do not have spare capacity.