The soles of my trusty hiking boots are worn through. With every step, I can isolate each of the small, aching bones in my feet. Hiking more than twice the length of the Otter Trail (in less time) certainly takes its toll…
We've been on our feet since 6 this morning and it's now late afternoon. We've come to the final 5 km of the Baviaans Camino. The white cottages of the farm Nguniland, where we left our cars five days ago, are visible in the distance.
Having crossed two mountain ranges, you'd think that the sight of civilisation would be welcome, but walking has a way of bringing you home to your thoughts. Despite my weary body, I'm not ready to say goodbye to the quiet majesty of this place just yet.
I slow down. As the hiking party descends into the valley, I remember what it took to get here…
DAY 1: 18 KM
Legendary lasagna
After breakfast we shuttle to the starting point on the farm Nakop, which borders the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve. Hercules “Herkie” van Huyssteen is waiting for us. We met Herkie and the rest of the Camino support crew – husband-and-wife duo Eric and Esti Stewart – the day before in Willowmore.
Eric and Esti won numerous awards for their Chokka Trail, a slackpacking route between Oyster Bay and St Francis Bay, and they were
