Hiking the Bushpig Trail Goukamma Nature Reserve to the Gorgeous Secret Beach

In our recent video, we showed you one of the coolest Cape Nature accommodations in Goukamma. Next to the accommodation are various activities, one of them being hikes. There are varying lengths, from 3 km to 16 km. We did the Bushpig Trail Goukamma, about 7 km, which starts at Groenvlei Bush Camp and meanders all the way to the ocean. You can watch here!

Saleha is just a water baby okay, so when we discovered that this hike actually ends at a private, untouched beach, Saleha was ecstatic 😍

Bushpig Trail Goukamma

The way you get there is quite something. You first take a self-boat ride across a lake before even starting the hike. Also, Saleha thought there were crocodiles in the water 🤣

Anyway, we didn’t yet know at that point that we were about to be so woefully unprepared, because the information we had was… let’s just say not entirely accurate. Read on to see why.

We basically took enough water for half the distance, because that’s what we thought the round trip would be. So don’t be like us, take more water even if the information says you don’t need it!

There are two really special things about this hike. The first is that boat crossing to reach the starting point. The second is what waits at the end; an unbelievably calm, quiet and private stretch of ocean that feels like it belongs only to you.

And to be completely honest, when we got there, all of our annoyance at the sun just disappeared. It was so pristine that you immediately want to stay the whole day… and then come back again the next day.

Which, to be fair, is exactly what Saleha wanted to do 😏

The hike itself is completely unshaded, so make sure you bring extra water, sunscreen, and snacks. The sun really does not play around out there. If you’ve got glucose or some sugary sweets, that’ll probably be helpful too.

We also realised quite quickly that the routes aren’t marked very clearly, and because we didn’t see anyone else the entire time, it’s really helpful to have a map or offline guide on your phone. Thankfully, our accommodation had a printed route map which saved us.

Halfway through, we also realised we were very much dehydrated on the way back because we had completely miscalculated the distance… but we’d still do it again in a heartbeat. That beach alone makes everything worth it.

If you’re staying at the accommodation, your conservation fee is included. Otherwise, you can pay it at the entrance to the hikes.

Check out our review of the accommodation we stayed at here.

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