Otter Trail and Coastal Forest Trek Loop in South Africa AT3

Accommodation

Accommodation is in simple huts that consist of bunk beds and mattresses. There are no blankets or pillows available like there are in the European huts, so it is necessary to bring a full sleeping bag.

Meals

It is necessary to bring all meals with you. At each hut there are covered facilities to grill (called a “braai” in South Africa). Enough wood is available. For the first half of the trek, if you book Slackpacking (Luggage Transfer), it is possible to arrange to have certain items kept refrigerated, and schedule them for delivery on certain days. It is possible to eat fresh food throughout the first half. On the second half of the trek, you will need to carry all of your food with you. Stoves and pots are not available.

The Otter Trail can be hiked year-round, and it books full in every month of the year. With that said, getting wet at one or two of the river crossings is unavoidable and it’s a more pleasant experience in the summer months (October through March).

This route travels along the southern coast of Africa, which is known for cold ocean temperatures and variable weather. Currents from Antarctica push up against this coastline, bringing unpredictable weather along with it. While it is possible that the weather is incredible and warm, it is also possible that temperatures can be cold and wet any time of year.

There is one river crossing on this route that needs to be done at low tide. We always try to get permits on dates where low tide falls at a favorable time of day, but this is not always possible. Depending on the timing, there may be one day when it is necessary to wake up around 4 or 5 a.m. to make this crossing.

For more specific information about average temperatures, we recommend checking Meteoblue (go to “History & Climate” and then “Climate (modelled)”) for Nature’s Valley.