Hike to Karkloof - 24-25 February 

A very excited band of hikers explored the pathways and natural forest at Karkloof Canopy Tours this past weekend. Having based ourselves at the Bushwillow Campsite for the night, and fueled up on all things ‘campy’ (a braai, toasted marshmallows, hot chocolate… you get the picture!) we set off on our adventure bright and early on Sunday morning. There’s something quite special about having a FGASA guide as your hike leader (take a bow, Mr Neary), so the children were provided with masses of interesting information about the flora and fauna through which we hiked. And hike we did… electronic devices reliably inform us that we climbed the equivalent of 51 flights in our muddy mission to our halfway point - the most refreshing waterfall imaginable. Suitably sated, we pushed on (or pulled on) using the sturdy ropes along the pathway. Bursting into the clear, and feeling the cooling mist on the plateau after our humid trek was reward enough!

Having plotted our descent to incorporate the ‘Mindfulness Loop’ created by Kai Schulze and his team at Karkloof Canopy Tours, we soon found ourselves taking a bit of a cool-off in the stream… cue some crab hunting and general shenanigans. (Advisory: no crabs – or children – were harmed).

On then to the suspension bridge (twice, because it was that much fun) and out of the forest! What a magnificent experience. 

Then it was back to Bushwillow for a feast before returning some tired champs to school.