Stunning FOUR Days Slack Packing Trail!!! 

Oyster Bay – Cape St Francis – Port St Francis – St Francis Bay – (68 km)

LOCATION:

The Chokka Trail, situated in the greater St Francis, Eastern Cape, is an award winning 4 day/3 night slack packing hike – we walked (or is it hiked?) away with the National Lilizela Award for Best Visitors Experience for four consecutive years.

It is much more than just a hike, as it also includes a canal cruise on the famous St Francis canals, a calamari tasting and if possible, a visit to the Seal Point Lighthouse.

The name:

The local chokka (squid) industry, is the heart of St Francis.  Since early days fishermen would catch a few chokkas to use as bait, until a visitor from Spain showed his mates in the early 1980’s how to cook it, a delicacy we know as calamari once on your plate.  The industry has grown over the years, and now mainly works from Port St Francis, sustaining many families.

Where is this unique trail?

The 62km trail lies between Oyster Bay, St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis, however, in true slackpacking style (you hike with a small daypack while your luggage is transported), distances can be shortened, and casual evacuations are possible if and when needed (for example older hikers or families with young children).

ACCOMMODATION:

  • The Trail owners Eric and Esti Stewart chose three unique privately owned overnight points to make sure your day starts with a hearty breakfast, your packed lunch is delicious and at your next destination, a cooked meal, hot shower and cold beer will be waiting!

    Fitness: Whether you are a seasoned hiker or novice, or only “lifestyle fit”, you will enjoy this diverse hike.

THE ITINENARY

ON ARRIVAL DAY

  • hikers must be at the Cape St Francis Resort in Da Gama Rd, Cape St Francis no later than 11h, where you can leave your vehicle for the duration of the hike.

  • Trail owners Eric and Esti will meet you there, and transport you to Oyster Bay, 20km to the west.  

    Those who are flying in to Port Elizabeth can shuttle straight to Oyster Bay.

  • After checking into the Oyster Kaya, hosts Bokkie and Lindy Lombard will offer you a cup of coffee and a muffin, hand you your lunch pack and set you off on the out-and-back hike to Thysbaai, all along the coastline.

  • This day is unguided (unless otherwise requested), so you will receive a map and route description – plus the route is partially marked.

  • The total distance to Thysbaai and back is 19km, but you can decide at any point to call it a day, just make sure you are back at the Oyster Kaya before sunset.

DAY TWO

  • On the second day you will be accompanied by an experienced local hiker.  You will traverse the dunes of the Sand River – a dune field mobilized by wind and water.

  • It changes from week to week, and mapping, marking or even describing this route seems impossible

  • Wind– blown patterns and rare finds of pot shards will take you to another world.

  • At 18km this could be the most challenging day of the trail, especially in inclement weather, but nothing beats the feeling of conquering the Sand River!

  • It is possible to go onto an easier dirt road after 11km which goes through beautiful coastal thicket, so if you have any concerns, discuss with us!

  • he trail stops at the Dune Ridge Country House, where you can pre-book a well– deserved back massage.

DAY THREE:

  • Starting times on the third morning is always a problem, as most hikers are reluctant to leave the tranquility of Dune Ridge and owner Sarah Swanepoel’s hospitality.

  • Your guide will get you going, and the trail starts through a beautiful section of coastal forest and thicket until you reach the shoreline.  

  • Enjoy walking through this special landscape, filled with bird calls, and keep your eyes open for grey duiker, mongoose, porcupine quills, bushbuck or caracal. Look for otters in the rock pools as well as Oystercatchers, Kelp Gulls, terns, and Turnstones.

  • Your day finishes at the Cape St Francis Resort, and you will enjoy a sundowner cruise on the St Francis canals before dinner.

DAY FOUR:

(Accommodation for 16 persons.)

  • The last day kicks off on the Cape St Francis beach, and follows the footpaths via Shark Point to Port St Francis, where Clive Cantor from Chokka Block will tell you more about the chokkaindustry and serve a calamari tasting.

  • You will hike past Bruce’s Beauties to the Granny’s Pool, where we finish your journey with a farewell lunch at “Bruces”, our Ocean Museum and Café.

  • We will transport you back to the Resort after lunch to get to your vehicles.  

  • Hikers in need to catch a plane, will be able to leave around 15h00, but if need be, we can finish earlier.  

  • More info on each day’s itinerary will be given in a Full INFO PACK on request/ enquiries and bookings.

2025 RATES:

(AVAILABLE ON REQUEST)

  • The rate is highly competitive, fully inclusive, and you only pay extra for your drinks.
  • You are accompanied by the owner on day 2, 3 and 4.
  • For 2024/5 the rate for 4 days, 3 nights for 4 and more is R7 850 pp sharing, and for 2 PAXR8850 pp sharing.  *** double check the current rate with our office ***
  • The rate for additional nights before or after the hike Will be quoted from the establishment of your choice directly.
  • Single supplements are available at R200 pppn and a levy Will be charged for groups smaller than 4.
  • All rates are subject to change without prior notice.
  • PS – you might have noticed dogs in our marketing material, or heard friends talk about the two “guides” on day 1 – Charlie and Ruby belongs to the owners of oyster kaya, and decided they Will be your guides on the first day.
  • This does not mean that it is a dog friendly hike, sadly your fur child Will have to stay at home.

THE CHOKKA WEEKENDER TRAIL:

The shorter 3 day/2 night Chokka Trail over 34km is an ideal breakaway for families and friends who love spending time in the outdoors.  The route can be cut short if the children are very young, or grandpa or grandma is joining too, or if you are adventurous, there would be time to add a deep sea fishing trip or game of golf (to name a few).

Day 1
Arrive at the Cape St Francis Resort by 14h00 and enjoy an afternoon hike through the Irma Booysen Flora Reserve, with unimpeded views over Cape St Francis.
Enjoy a canal cruise on the famous St Francis Canals – time to be pre booked with reception.
Day 2
Meet your guide at reception by 8h30, and you will be transported to the Eskom Conservation Area just outside the village. You will hike through coastal forest and thicket, and a dune field before you reach the shoreline. The last 7km to the Resort boasts many treasures, including a large blow hole, two shipwrecks, and the Seal Point Lighthouse. A visit to the Seal Point Lighthouse is weather permitting and an optional extra.
Day 3
Meet your guide at 9h and enjoy a circular hike to Port St Francis, where Clive will serve a calamari tasting at Chokka Block. We enjoy a light lunch here, before we turn back to the Resort.

RATES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST ONLY.

The rate includes two nights’ accommodation, dinner, breakfast, one packed lunch, maps, permits, transport, a guide for day 2 and 3, canal cruise, calamari tasting and farewell lunch.

There is a different rate for those who wish to do this self catered

Trail/Service Price (Per Person) Additional Info
The Chokka Trail (4 Days/3 Nights, 4+ pax) R7,850.00 (2024/2025 rate) Fully inclusive, drinks extra. Guided on days 2, 3, and 4.
The Chokka Trail (4 Days/3 Nights, 2 pax) R8,850.00 (2024/2025 rate) Fully inclusive, drinks extra. Guided on days 2, 3, and 4.
Single Supplement (Per Night) R200.00
Additional Nights (Before/After Hike) Quoted directly by establishment
The Chokka Weekender Trail (3 Days/2 Nights) Rates available on request Includes accommodation, meals, transport, guide (days 2 & 3), canal cruise, calamari tasting, farewell lunch. Self-catering option available.