Namaqua Flower Hike
- Marvel at the unique geography, fauna and flora
- Enjoy Namaqualand hospitality from our excellent support team
- Fire-side dining under a canopy of stars each night
- Carry only your daypack as you hike the 'blooming' desert
- Hike in the Schaap River Canyon
Overview
A journey through the unspoiled Schaap River Canyon
Find your balance again and adopt to the slow living pace of this five-day, fully-catered, slack-packing hike in the Namaqualand. In partnership with Nigramoep Slowliving Farm, we are proud to present this hike into the heartland of Namaqualand, operated only three times per year. Although it is called the Namaqua Flower Hike, you will soon realise that the area is so much more than just flowers.
Your eyes and soul will feast on the beauty of the Schaap River Canyon that stands witness to millenniums of geographical changes. Unique plants and flowers that has to be tough enough to survive the harsh conditions, bestow this area with their rare and delicate beauty. Carefully selected wild camping sites will leave you in awe of the nights full of stars.
The expert knowledge of our local Namaqualand-born guides on the geography and the fauna and flora, as well as their stories about the cultural history and heritage of the area, will make this hike an authentic experience.
True to the LIVE THE JOURNEY WAY, you can expect hearty hospitality from our support team, set against a backdrop of ancient, ocher-coloured valleys, mountains and canyons, accompanied by like-minded souls.
Carry only your daypack and come “home” to a tent pitched in the wild, a hot shower, excellent food and good wine. Also true to the LIVE THE JOURNEY WAY, we will only leave our footprints.
Take a break from the digital and techno world of every-day life and escape to a remote area as old as time.
Group size: 16 -20 hikers (tailor-made options available for private groups)
Duration: 5 nights, 6 days (of which day 1 is arrival and days 2 to 5 are hiking)
Distance: Approximately 65 km
Rating: The total elevation is about 850 m. The hiking surface differs from one-track donkey gravel roads to rocky areas where stability and good hiking shoes are required. This five-day, slack-packing hike with a total distance of approximately 65 km, varies in difficulty from easy to moderate, giving it a rating on average of between 5 and 6.5. (A rating of 1 being easy and 10 being difficult.) It is not a casual stroll through the wildflowers and although it is not a difficult hike, you need a certain level of fitness to do this hike and enjoy each day.
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL NIGRAMOEP
Arrival at Nigramoep from 14h00 onwards. After a welcome and arrival introduction, drive to the base camp in the Schaap River canyon. A briefing of the Namaqua Flower Hike will be held before you enjoy dinner tonight in the marquees tent.
O/N Wild camping at Base camp*
*Base camp consists of a marquees tent where breakfast and dinner are served at set tables, and you collect your daily lunch pack from. There is also a charging station for cell phones, etc., a coffee & tea station, hot camp showers & toilets, a fire pit under the stars and Ripstop canvas sleeping tents with stretchers and mattresses already set up.
DAY 2: HIKING (DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 12 KM) / Difficulty: 5
Enjoy breakfast and collect your lunch pack. Start the hike with the luring attraction of the canyon's mystical beauty calling one to enjoy the ochre rock faces, mini amphitheatre, rock pools, and plant life, the majestic black eagle and klipspringer.
Return to base camp after hiking. Enjoy a warm shower and a hearty dinner.
O/N Wild camping at Base camp
DAY 4: HIKING (DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 13 KM) / Difficulty: 6
Enjoy breakfast and collect your lunch pack. Hiking starts from base camp onto old gravel road ascending at a relatively steep incline with wonderful views of the canyon from the top, turning onto a jeep track graced with beautiful plant life and flowers, descending into Myn se Kloof ravine another spectacular ravine with rock pools, striking ochre rock walls, fauna and flora. Hiking out of Myn se Kloof into the Schaap River canyon, back to the base camp.
O/N Wild camping at Base camp
DAY 3: HIKING (DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 17 KM) / Difficulty: 5
Enjoy breakfast and collect your lunch pack. Hiking starts from base camp onto an old gravel road between rocky hills adjacent to the canyon, quiver trees waiting for the early rays of sunshine. Hiking from there onto an old jeep track leading you into Casnou se Kloof ravine. Gradual descent surrounded by rock walls, rock pools, wonderful flora and fauna captivating you with its beauty. Casnou se Kloof exits into the canyon. Hike back to base camp. Enjoy a warm shower and a hearty dinner.
O/N Wild camping at Base camp
DAY 5: HIKING (DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 18 KM) Difficulty: 8
* High rating due to terrain and descent into canyon.*
Hikers are transported after breakfast with pipe cars to the starting point of Langkloof ravine. The jeep track has a slight incline leading onto a plateau greeted by panoramic vistas of the Schaap River Canyon. The slow descent on a rocky jeep track into Langkloof ravine is surrounded by beautiful flora. Once Langkloof ravine is reached, rock pools and the silent beauty of Namaqua rock fig tree and Kokerboom greet you. Hemmed in by beautiful ochre rock walls, the descent to the canyon is often graced by sightings of klipspringer and booted eagle.
The breathtaking opening of Langkloof ravine into the Schaap River canyon is a sight to behold. The high canyon walls enfold and mesmerize you whilst hiking to the base camp. Day five ends at the base camp. Enjoy a warm shower and a hearty dinner.
O/N Wild camping
DAY 6: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, hikers are transported back to the main guest area at Nigramoep Slowliving Guest Farm where the hike ends.
END OF TOUR
Total distance: approximately 60 km.
Dates
2025 Dates:
- 22 - 27 August 2025 (Fully Booked)
- 29 August – 03 September 2025
- 03 - 08 September 2025
Rates
2025 Tour Price:
R 12,650 per person
Included
- 1 night’s shared accommodation in beautiful, renovated houses (with bathroom facilities) at Nigramoep Slowliving Guest Farm
- 4 nights’ wild camping in tent provided – each tent outfitted with 2 stretchers and 2 mattresses (you can bring your own tent and equipment if you prefer)
- Local guides and support team
- Transport and logistics of your luggage and camping gear to and from the overnight camp. Please make sure to pack light and use a soft duffle bag.
- All meals included – from arrival dinner at main guest house on day 1 to all breakfasts, lunch packs and scrumptious veld dinners with local specialties and spoils prepared by our local team on hiking days. Breakfast on day 6 will be included, but all else after departure this day is for your own account.
- You will pack your own lunch pack every morning. We will provide a variety of breads, cold meats, and snacks for you to choose from. Remember to bring your own lunch box with.
- Coffee and tea with meals and limited wine at dinner every evening is included. A cash honesty bar is available for beers, ciders, and cool drinks every evening.
- Drinking and shower water.
- Showers and chemical toilets, set up each evening.
- Camping chair.
- Wood.
- A digital detox.
Excluded
- Pre- and/or Post-hike accommodation at Nigramoep. For those who wish to stay on for additional nights, please let us know so we can check availability and arrange this for you.
- All pre- and post-travel to/from Nigramoep (travel by road, flights, accommodation).
- Camping equipment: sleeping bag and pillow. As mentioned, if you don’t want to make use of the tent with stretcher and mattress provided, you are free to still bring your own equipment.
- Day pack and hiking gear like walking sticks, water bottles, lunch box container, first aid and blister kit, own medications.
- We provide limited wine with your dinner. An honesty bar is available for beers, ciders, and cool drinks during the hike, settled on your return to the guest farm at the end of the hike.
- Extra snacks – don’t bring too much. Previous hikers commented that they packed way too much.
Indemnity & Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Participants require a good level of fitness. An indemnity form must be completed by all hikers.
Hikers will also be required to have emergency medical evacuation insurance, whether through your medical aid or travel insurance, proof of which will be required prior to the hike.
Special Dietary Requirements
Our guide team will walk the extra mile to cater for your needs. However, given the conditions under which this tour/hike is operated it is not possible to cater for all dietary requirements. Also, variation and availability of supplies in the area is very limited. We can cater for vegetarians, pescatarians, and gluten free diets. If you do not fall within these categories, we would like to recommend that you discuss your requirements with us and where possible, make provision for your own meal requirements.
Pack list
A complete list of what to pack will be provided after your booking is confirmed.
Hikers must bring: a day pack; walking sticks (compulsory); hiking gear; face net; lunch box; water bottles for carrying water during the day; plasters and blister-care goodies; all items of a personal nature; tent (pop-up recommended) and bedding.
Your hike includes coffee and tea with meals, and limited wine each night with dinner. Hikers may bring their own alcoholic beverages to enjoy, however keep in mind that space is limited as everything must be transported. There will also be an honesty cash bar available during the hike for beers, ciders and cool drinks. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks to nibble on in between meals, but there is ample food to pack every morning. Remember to bring your own lunch box container.
Pre-travel arrangements and accommodation
Hikers are responsible for their own pre-hike travel and accommodation arrangements. You are however, welcome to ask our consultants to assist with and to handle arrangements on your behalf.
Reviews
Michelle Staal - 19 to 24 September 2022
“Thank you to every stranger that now feels like family.”
Marelize Gloy - 19 to 24 September 2022
“Both the canyon and the flowers were exceptional to see. The highlight was to experience Tannie Suzette and Tannie Johanna’s world and see the surroundings through their eyes. Absolutely wonderful experience for a city girl.”
Erma Muller - 29 Aug to 03 Sep 2022
“Saam met Live the Journey is hierdie weer eens ‘n ervaring wat diep in my hart gebêre sal word.”
Gretha van Heerden - 29 Aug to 03 Sep 2022
“’n Heerlike avontuur op ‘n baie, baie spesiale stukkie aarde!”
Lilani Venter - 22 to 27 August 2022
“I lost my heart in Namaqualand, the camaraderie, and genuine people. It was my first hike with LTJ… you will struggle to top that.”
Zaan Du Plessis - 20 to 25 September 2021
“This hike was one of the highlights of my life! I will treasure every moment in my heart. The unspoiled nature, no cell phone signal, the support and camaraderie of my fellow hikers and the quality and presentation of the total event was just excellent.”
Merwe Erasmus - 20 to 25 September 2021
“The guides and the support team are excellent. Their passion and love for Namaqualand is so easy to see. This hike made a lasting impression on me and a highlight was the beautiful scenery and the majestic Schaap River Canyon.”
Reservations
Fill out the form below to request a full itinerary.