Hiking and horsing the Baviaans Camino
Brainchild of two award-winning tourism gurus with a natural gift for hospitality and an unflappable home-grown horse-whisperer with intimate knowledge of the pristine hills and valleys of the breathtaking Baviaanskloof, this remarkable trail takes riders and hikers on a guided four-day epic across three mountain ranges.
Beauty: 5/5
Difficulty (fitness): 7–8/10 (There is no mountaineering or climbing involved, but you will conquer two mountain ranges. Total elevation: 3,600 m over 95 km.)
Technical rating: Standard trail and jeep track walking with some rocky terrain underfoot.
Distance: 95 km over 4 days
Traversing rugged Baviaanskloof terrain on horseback.
Day 1
The Foot of the Baviaanskloof to Joachimskraal Farmhouse – 20 km
Scaling the northern face of the Baviaanskloof Mountains via the old Telkom Road is one of the most rewarding and demanding parts of the trail. Lunch offers unrivalled views back across the Klein Karoo — and sightings of kudu, sugarbirds, and proteas are common. A shaded descent leads into the warm heart of the Baviaanskloof Valley, where baboons, antelope, and donkey carts are part of the scenery. Joachimskraal farmhouse, deep in the valley, offers hot showers, en-suite bathrooms for some, cosy beds for all, and a feast of steak and roosterkoek around a wind-sheltered braai area.
Descending into the Baviaanskloof Valley near Joachimskraal farmhouse.
Day 2
Joachimskraal Farmhouse to Entkrale Outpost – 23 km
Day two takes you from the semi-civilised valley into untouched wilderness. Crossing the Kouga Mountain Range offers breathtaking views and complete solitude. Be prepared for chilly winds near the Kouga Peak. The remote Entkrale outpost, your stop for the night, offers a raw wilderness experience under a canopy of stars. Expect basic accommodation — but a hearty potjie and good company make for an unforgettable evening.
Crossing the Kouga Mountains en route to Entkrale Outpost.
Vast Baviaanskloof landscapes stretching beyond the horizon.
Day 3
Entkrale to the Nooitgedacht Farming Community – 22 km
In a region that boasts seven ecological biomes, Day 3 highlights the area’s botanical splendour. Cycads cling to cliff faces, yellowwoods tower overhead, and Karoo flowers bloom in vivid colour. The trail descends gently into the lush Nooitgedacht Valley — with grazing cows, sheep, and farmlands framed by red cliffs. The evening brings a farm-cooked dinner by lamplight in a historic farmhouse beside a quiet stream.
The green pastures and red cliffs of the Nooitgedacht Valley.
Day 4
Nooitgedacht Farming Community to Nguniland, Kareedouw – 30 km
The final day is a fitting finale. You’ll climb out of Nooitgedacht Valley through Moordenaarskloof to a tranquil lunch stop beside the Kouga River. The ascent through the Pospad section is steep but scenic, with sweeping mountain vistas that reward every step. The journey ends at Nguniland in Kareedouw, where a celebratory dinner of steak, boerewors, and biltong awaits — best enjoyed with a gin and tonic or a splash of Jack Daniels under the Baviaanskloof stars.
A fitting finale — the last climb toward Nguniland, Kareedouw.
Booking & Info
Bookings: Contact Esti Stewart at info@baviaanscamino.com or call 073 825 0835
More info: www.baviaanscamino.com