Leopard Trail, South Africa

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

(NOT to be confused with the new Leopard Trail, a Baviaanskloof 5-day hiking route.)

I’ve added the day hike Leopard Trail to our list of best hikes in Africa.

It’s awesome. The best day hike into Blyde River Canyon.

Starting at the excellent Blyde Canyon Forever Resort there are at least three short routes (1–4 hours) that can also be linked together as a 5 hour walk. Each trail is marked by a different symbol. You won’t get lost.

Of many different possible day hike variations, I did the one recommended to me at Forever Resorts registration.

Leopard Trail descending from the Worlds End viewpoint. Switching to Loerie Trail, a fun, rough scramble back up the creek.

(Easier, but longer, is a return via Guinea-foul trail.)

At Worlds End you get a great vista of famed Three Rondavels, thought to look like the houses or huts of the indigenous peoples.

It’s all beautiful heading down into one of the biggest canyons on Earth.

The day I was there was quiet. The only others gawking at the natural scenery were these guys.

My route did not take me all the way down to the river, though you can get down there, if you wish.

I turned back up the cliff along this stream.

A wet, challenging and interesting scramble.

more photos from this day hike

Highly recommended. 🙂

It’s free to enter Forever Resorts. (I wished I’d stayed there. The Taj Mahal of campsites.) But costs $5 to hike if you are not a guest. You must check in and out of the hikes. At registration will give you a hand drawn map and details on each trail.

related:

• Trip Advisor reviews

• GO magazine – Blyde River Canyon: The Blyde & the Beautiful