KOINGNAAS- DIAMOND COAST HIKING TRAIL

LOCATION

The Diamond Coast Hiking Trail meanders along approximately 50km, from south to north along what is known as the Diamond Coast between private mining settlements of Koingnaas and Kleinzee in Namaqualand in the Northern Cape.

Springbok lies 110km to the east , 60km to the North. lies 163 km to the East. DIAMOND COAST HIKING TRAIL

TRAIL DETAILS • Guided – FGASA Level I, Marine Level I, First Aid Level III, DEAT accredited guide. • Three day, self carrying hike. • Self Catering. • Physical fitness is essential: soft sand, low shrubbery, beach walking, sections of harder surface, rocky terrain. • No shade on trail, but temperate climate and Atlantic Ocean breeze even things out. • No drinking water on trail. • Use general ‘bush toilet ethics’ on trail. • Possible dangers that could be encountered: venomous snakes, spiders, scorpions, thorny vegetation, uneven terrain, heat exhaustion and exposure to wind, sun and cooking on open fire. • Trail map and species lists are available upon request. Contact 027 877 0028/076 642 0868– Namaqua Coastal Expeditions.

OVERNIGHT SITES • Camp sites are protected from wind by a boma made of wind netting that spans around a raised fireplace. • Prevailing wind direction is SE-S-SW • Tents are usually pitched on the Southern/South Western side to prevent damage from flying sparks. • Five dome tents (comforably accomodating two people on stretchers)are available for use.Please reserve or • Provide your own tent. • Pitching and taking down of private tents remain the responsibility of the owners. • Ten folding chairs and stretchers available. • Pit toilet –toilet paper provided. • Shower cubicle-bucket style,water is warmed in container on open fire. • One bundle of fire wood per overnight site per person.Additional wood may be ordered and purchased through reservation office or support team. DIAMOND COAST HIKING TRAIL

TRAIL PLAN Day 0 Arrival at Kleinzee/Koingnaas Overnight options: Kleinzee Caravan Park (camping), Joanne’s Guesthouses(KLZ),Houthoop Guest Farm or Koingnaas Noup Divers Huts. Please make reservations beforehand through Reservation Office, Contact details on last page Cost is additional and for hikers’ account. Day 1 Hikers drive to the starting point at Soutpomp,where hikers are drop of for the start of the hike. Hike via yellow dune systems,Piratiny&fishing boat wrecks,to Kliphuis and water wells.. 15km, 5-6 hours Difficulty rating: 8 Sleep over at first Overnight site near the water wells.. Day 2 Hike along the coast past Arosa . Swing inland before Frederik se baai,hike inland-cross the tar road into the Game Park via Little Elands Klip back to the Coast. 12km, 5-6 hours Difficulty rating: 8 Overnight at Second overnight site Day 3 Hike along the Coast via Border Shipwrec to Brazil farm boundary(Gate 3). Hikers are Transported on open vehicles around Brazil Farm(State Land) Hike from Gate2 inland, up Goraapkop,ending at the Kleinzee Yacht Club. 17km, 5-6 hours Difficulty rating: 7.5 Owners of vehicles are transported on open vehicles back to their vehicles at the end of the hike to collect vehicles. DIAMOND COAST HIKING TRAIL

IMPORTANT INFO • Travel arrangements to and from Kleinzee/Koingnaas are hikers’ responsibility. • Accommodation for days 0 and 3 can be arranged through the reservation office, For hikers’ account. •No drinking water available on trail. • Cooking facilities are limited to an open fire. •Showering facilities are available at ovenight sites,water is warmed in a container on open fire. •Water for ablution purposes available at overnight stops. •refrigeration facilities not available. • Very limited cell phone reception on trail. Guide will be in contact with support team. • Limited medical services available in Hondeklipbaai/ •It would be preferable for gear to be packed in sturdy crates/ammo boxes-easier transporting,less risk of damage •Please limit gear to essentials-transporting space is limited. COST • R1850.00(incl.) per person for the hike. • Accommodation FOR day 0 AND day 3 are exclusive and for hikers’ account. • A minimum of 4 paxx is required. FUEL AVAILABILITY:

Koingnaas Kleinzee Monday – Friday 08:00 – 13:00 09:00 – 18:00 13:30 – 17:00 Saturday 08:00 – 12:00 08:00 – 12:00 Emergency fuel after hours in KLEINZEE . Call-out fee of R50/vehicle DIAMOND COAST HIKING TRAIL

PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR OWN • Meals, snacks and drinks for the hike; •Torch/light for inside the tent; •Eating/drinking utensils; • Insect repellent, sunblock; • Drinking water; • Additional kit (camera/binoculars/first aid etc.) you may require.

RECOMMENDATIONS / SUGGESTIONS • Hiking pole; • Head cover that protects ears, face and neck and is ‘wind resistant’; • Sturdy hiking boots, sandals for walking on the beach; • Layered clothing – hot dune streets, cool/windy beach walks; • Protection against thorny vegetation – short pants may not be preferable; •Wrap vacuum packed/frozen meat in newspaper,pack in cooler boxes with ice bricks and seal; •Mark each meal clearly,first day’s on top,last days at the bottom; •Arrange for refrigeration facilities in Kleinzee may be made with the reservation office. DIAMOND COAST HIKING TRAIL

DIRECTIONS TO KLEINZEE/KOINGNAAS From Johannesburg, follow N14 west to Springbok From Cape Town/Namibia, follow N7 north/south to Springbok

From Springbok, follow R355 to Kleinzee (103km of which 68km is dirt road)

Alternate options:

From Cape Town, follow N7 to Garies, continue 6km, take turn-off. Continue 83km (dirt road), take Koingnaas turn-off, continue to Kleinzee.

From Springbok, follow R355 to Kleinzee. Turn left where tarred road ends, to Komaggas, continue through Komaggas to the junction with the KLZ/KN road, 8km south of Kleinzee (110km of which 43km is dirt road) ALL ACCOMMODATION RESERVATIONS & SECURITY CLEARANCE:

NAMAQUA COASTAL EXPEDITIONS(PTY)Ltd. T/a Diamond Coast Forever Namaqua 1-3rd Street,P.O.Box 116,Kleinzee 8282 1060 School Street Komaggas 8242 Tel.027 877 0028 Cel.076 642 0868 www.namaquacoastal.com [email protected] [email protected]