The Diversity Trail’s history is one of conservation and heritage.
Trail founders Sean and Michelle Privett are longstanding Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy members.
The Conservancy is a collaborative conservation partnership between nearly 50 private landowners, who collectively own and protect more than 22,000 hectares of endangered lowland fynbos and forest habitats.
More than 1,100 indigenous plant species have been recorded, including seven new to science. From rare forest patches and diverse mountain fynbos to endangered limestone and wetland vegetation, the habitats and species living within them are rare and protected.
The Diversity Trail’s itinerary is as follows:
The trail rail starts in Stanford with a light lunch.
Your guided walk takes you through the historical village with Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Make your way to the beautiful Klein River, where you will board the Lady Stanford for a leisurely afternoon cruise to see magnificent scenery and bird life.
The day concludes with a short drive to Bellavista Country Place and dinner.
Distance: 10km
Wake up to a delicious breakfast followed by a day exploring Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.
The hiking trail crosses Growing the Future farm. It then winds through the Steynsbos milkwood forest and up to Pinnacle Peak, with magnificent views of the ocean and Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy. It then leads down through beautiful fynbos landscapes to the Grootbos Environmental Centre for a picnic lunch next to the dam (a perfect spot for a swim on a warm day).
After lunch, the trail takes you into the incredible Witvoetskloof Valley. Breathe the fresh air in this ageless forest. Walk along an old flower-picking route as you make your way to Bellavista Country Place.
After a full day of walking, enjoy wine tasting from the award-winning Lomond Wines before tucking into a delicious dinner.
Distance: 15km
Start the day with a mouth-watering breakfast, and then it’s time to explore the Walker Bay coastline.
The trail leads through the magnificent coastal fynbos on Grootbos Nature Reserve. From there, you head into Walker Bay Nature Reserve’s remote dune field that leads to The Plaat. Stroll along the beach’s white sands to the world-renowned archaeological site at Klipgat Cave. The cave was the home of the Middle and Late Stone Age people. Inside the cave, your guide will interpret the fascinating insights into the early human occupation along this coastline.
The trail winds along De Kelder's clifftops that overlook Walker Bay. This vantage point provides perfect opportunities to view southern right whales between June and December. After a wholesome lunch overlooking the bay, it is on to Stanford’s Cove, a sheltered beach perfect for swimming.
You will be driven back to Bellavista Country Place for wine tasting and dinner after the beach.
Distance: 10km
The day starts with a hearty breakfast, followed by an exploration of Walker Bay’s incredible wine, art and culture.
The trail meanders through the magnificent fynbos landscapes of Flower Valley Farm and Lomond Wines before dropping down through the vineyards. Discover how the complex interactions between soil, climate and grape produce award-winning wines. After the morning walk, enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch and a tasting session with some of the estate’s premium wines.
Spend the afternoon exploring The Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery at Grootbos. The gallery houses Africa’s first Fynbos Florilegium, which exhibits a magnificent collection of botanical art that showcases plant, insect and bird life in the floristic region.
After that, you will learn about the conservation and community work happening at the Grootbos Foundation.
End the day with a culinary botanical extravaganza prepared by a Michelin-starred chef at your final dinner.
Check-out is after your leisurely breakfast at Bellavista Restaurant.
Luxury accommodation at Bellavista Country Place includes your Diversity Trail Package.
Bellavista Country Place is set high on a hill between Stanford and Gansbaai. The retreat provides endless views over the Walker Bay area, with its indigenous fynbos, the Atlantic Ocean and majestic mountain ranges.
The package rates for the Diversity Trail are as follows:
(luxury sea view - sleeps two)
Sunbird Suite has a private patio overlooking Walker Bay.
An open-plan living area with a fully equipped kitchenette, dining area and lounge opens onto the patio.
The spacious bedroom has two single beds that can be joined to form a King-size bed.
There is a double bathtub underneath a skylight that is perfect for star-gazing. The bathroom also has a basin and a toilet.
The bathroom has a basin and toilet.
(sea view - sleeps two)
The Disa Suite is in a separate guesthouse between the two sea-view suites.
The suite has a spacious bedroom with two single beds that can be joined to form a King-size bed.
The bathroom has a bath, shower, double basins and a toilet.
(luxury sea view - sleeps two)
Protea Suite has a private patio overlooking Walker Bay.
The suite has a large lounge and a spacious bedroom with a King-size bed.
There is a shower, basin and toilet in the bathroom.
(mountain view - sleeps two adults and two children)
Oystercatcher Cottage is privately set and has a patio with outdoor furniture.
The one-bedroom cottage has an open-plan living area with a fully equipped kitchenette, dining arrangement and lounge.
Two single beds in the bedroom can join to form a King-size bed.
The ensuite bathroom has a bath, shower, basin and toilet.
A mezzanine floor has two single beds.
The second bathroom has a shower, basin and toilet.
(sea view - sleeps two or four)
Dragonfly Room has sweeping views over the garden, fynbos-rich landscape and the Atlantic Ocean. The room has direct access to the swimming pool.
A spacious master bedroom has a cosy seating arrangement and a King-size bed.
The ensuite bathroom has a shower, double basins, a bidet and a toilet.
A tandem room with an adjoining door has two single beds and is available by arrangement.
Cancellations must be received and acknowledged by Diversity Trail in writing:
All meals for the Diversity Trail are prepared and made on-site from fresh, local ingredients.
Trail Food & Drink - Guideline Menu
The following is a guideline menu and is subject to change.
While on the trail, you will be provided with high-quality, potable drinking water from Bellavista, which is safe and refreshing for your journey.
Guests are advised to bring extra snacks for the hike, as only a limited selection will be provided each morning.
“The Diversity Trail is special. It includes luxury accommodation as a base and has a well-thought-out itinerary. We spent time in ancient forests, flowering fynbos, coastal dunes, alongside a clear sea, next to waterfalls and walking through vineyards. Plus we visited a unique art gallery, enjoyed a bird-watching boat ride, wine tastings, playing with gin flavours and more. Our guide, Christoff, shared his huge knowledge with us easily and paced the walks according to the weather and how the hikers were coping. It is one of the best slackpacking trails I've completed.” Clare Manicom
“Our group of 12 retirees highly recommend the experience of this luxury hike. The staff were friendly and helpful. The accommodation at Bellavista and the catering were outstanding. The excellent guide provided a mine of fascinating information. He kindly modified the hikes to suit our more limited capacities. While each day had its highlights, the final dinner prepared by the Michelin Chef at Schneider’s Cape Floral Kitchen was memorable.” JP van Niekerk
“The guided Diversity Trail is an absolute must!” Shany van den Berg
“I loved everything about our experience with the Diversity Trail team. We learned so much about our amazing environment, you can’t fail to be touched by the nature you are immersed in. Our guide Christoff was amazing, so knowledgeable and helpful. He is the perfect person to lead walks and spend time with. Accommodation is absolute luxury and food is perfect. Do yourself a favour and take time out to walk this trail. You will love it!” Maureen McGuinness
“What an amazing, informative and relaxing experience. Christoff is a knowledgeable guide with information on all the fynbos, plants, birds, and history of the Grootbos area. From the luxurious accommodation to the delicious food, walking this trail should be on your bucket list.” Anoet Shoot
Exciting News! Diversity Trail made headlines in the January 2024 edition of Michelangelo Magazine (pages 14-1...
Discover the wonders of Walker Bay's nature, culture, and heritage.
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Exciting news! The Diversity Trail was recently featured on Business Day! Read the full article published belo...
