Hiking FAQ

HOW LONG IS THE MOUNT PERAZIM TRAIL?

It is a 2 day hiking trail. The 1st day is 9km and the 2nd day is 7,5km. A walk to the Mushroom Rock adds an optional extension of 2,5km on the 2nd day.

DESCRIBE THE OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

The 1st night can be spent in one of two dormitories.

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE – has 8 bunk beds and can sleep 16. It has 4 toilets and 4 showers.
THE MELKSTAL – has 8 bunk beds and can sleep 16. It has 3 toilets and 3 showers; the facilities are outside of the Melkstal. The bunk beds are separated with a kitchen area in between, but still an open plan.

The 2nd night is spent in a large cave that can accommodate up to 40 hikers. There are 2 cold water showers and 2 flush toilets. We have had over 90 children sleeping over.

Due to Covid 19 we have taken the following precautions: We will allow 16 hikers in the Old School House hut (if the group is familiar with one another) 16 in the Melkstal.

WHAT DO YOU PROVIDE AT THESE FACILITIES?

At the 1st overnight facility, we provide a bed and mattress, a braai grid at both the huts, wood with which to start a fire, cold and hot water showers, electricity, an urn, a 2 plate stove, a fridge, and 2 large iron pots, at each of the huts.

The Old School House has an under-cover stoep and the Melkstal has a small thatched roof Lapa. The kitchen facilities are next to the Old School House for washing up and are available to all the hikers and campers.

Bathroom facilities will also be shared by all the visitors (camping and hiking)

At the cave, we provide a mattress, ground cover, cold running water, a braai grid, kettle, and firewood. There is a pop up kitchen for washing up.

WHAT IS OFFERED IN BEDDING?

We do not provide bedding or towels.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING?

All food, eating and braai utensils, toilet paper, toiletries, sleeping bags, water bottles, sunblock and anything else a hiker may deem necessary.

CAN ONE ARRIVE AND START WALKING STRAIGHT AWAY WITHOUT MAKING USE OF THE 1ST NIGHTS FACILITIES?

Yes, provided one does not start too late. It takes between 4 and 6 hours to get to the cave. Day 2 takes 3 to 4 hours.

CAN THE 2 DAY TRAIL BE DONE IN 1 DAY?

Yes, it can be done, but one might then miss out on leisurely beholding some spectacular views.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BOOK THE TRAIL EXCLUSIVELY FOR ONE GROUP?

We accommodate an average of 30 hikers per weekend. Unless a single group consists of a minimum of 30 hikers, accommodation and facilities are shared with other groups.

IS THERE ANY PRIVACY IN THE CAVE?

No, all hikers sleep on the ground sheets provided and also share fires for braaiing and socialising.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO HIKE?

Hiking can be done all year round. We have a heater in the smaller dormitory. The most pleasant night temperatures would be from September to May. Day temperatures in winter are ideal for hiking.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE BACKPACKS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TAKEN UP TO THE CAVE?

1. Previously slackpacks taken to the cave were left in the storeroom of the cave ablution block (the room next to the toilets). But as a result of the heavy rains we have experienced over the last months, the last part of the road to the cave is completely washed away and no longer accessible with any vehicle.

2. We will now be leaving the slackpacks at the base of the mountain on which the cave is situated (after the ablution blocks, follow the road down the mountain). You will see the road (now washed away) and at the point where the tractor can still traverse the road, your slack packs will be dropped off.

3. Since we are no longer able to keep your slackpacks safely in the storeroom of the cave ablution block, we will now be doing the drop-off in the afternoon, round about your time of arrival (between 15h00 and 16h00).

4. We trust that you will get to your luggage before the baboons do.

5. Slack packs will be picked up from the same point as drop-off the following day.

6. No items will be carried into or fetched from the cave.

7. There will be a charge of R60 for every single item, whether it is a pillow or carry pack of beer. Therefore try to fit loose items into back packs or cooler boxes.

8. Items must not be too heavy for one person to load.

9. Regrettably, we will not take any responsibility for any and all slack pack items left at this drop-off point before, during or after drop-off. This includes any loss and/or damage to slack pack items due to rain, baboons and/or any other unforeseen situations that may arise.

DO YOU PROVIDE A MAP, AND HOW WELL IS THE TRAIL MARKED?

Yes, we do provide maps. The trail is very clearly marked. It is not possible to get lost.

DO YOU PROVIDE A GUIDE TO ACCOMPANY THE HIKERS?

No, a guide is not provided. A clearly marked trail and map is sufficient to get you to your end destination.

ARE THERE TIMES DURING THE YEAR WHEN THE TRAIL IS CLOSED?

No, the trail is always open for hikers.

IS THE TRAIL ONLY OPEN ON WEEKENDS, OR CAN ONE MAKE BOOKINGS DURING THE WEEK AS WELL?

Bookings can be made for any day of the week. Hikers who prefer not to share facilities, might find that this would be possible with a midweek booking.

HOW SAFE ARE THE CARS THAT STAY BEHIND AT THE 1ST OVERNIGHT FACILITY?

We, thankfully, have had no incident of theft or damage of any kind.

WHAT ARE ST. FORT’S CO-ORDINATES?

The entrance to St Fort is at GPS waypoint S28 33.477 E28 24.631
Cannibal Cave GPS S28 34.482 E28 26.264
St Fort is situated 6 km from Clarens
We only have MTN signal on the farm
After the turn-off to St Fort Farm, the road to the Hikers is clearly marked (about 1km from turn-off).

WHAT IS THE COST PER PERSON?

R750 per person which includes:

1 night at base camp

1 night at the cave

The 2-day hiking trail

Children under 12: R375 pp

R450 per person which includes: