Chokka Trail – Coastal Slackpack, St Francis

The 4 day/4 night Chokka Trail meanders between Oyster Bay, Cape St Francis and St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The terrain includes fishermen footpaths and jeep-track over two moving dunefields, and along the untamed ‘wild side’ of the Kouga shoreline.

Wonderful birdlife, and the chance to see the cape clawless otter, adds to the excitement of finding century old middens scattered amongst the sand dunes.

Trip Duration4 Hike Days / 3 Nights
Daily DistancesDay 1: 19km / 5-6hrDay 2: 18km / 5-6hrDay 3: 16km / 5hrsDay 4: 8km / 4hr
Trail Grading2-3/ 5 Fitness: a moderate hike, which can become challenging in inclement weather such as wind2/ 5 Technicality: a relatively easy hike, but the day through the dune-field can be challenging
Trail TerrainThe terrain is as diverse as the scenery: rugged shoreline, beaches, dune fields, coastal thicket and forest, and modest fishing villages
AccommodationHoliday apartments, country house, Resort and B&B on the canals.
Logistic SupportFully-catered and guided by the trail ownerDaily luggage transfers
Group SizePreferred min of 4 persons - max 16 per group, all sharing.
PricingOn a group of 4 or more: from R8,500/pp/sharing

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At a Glance

The Chokka Trail is a uni-directional hike from Oyster Bay to Cape St Francis. Vehicles can be left in Cape St Francis at the Resort, or shuttles from Port Elizabeth airport can be arranged straight to Oyster Bay.

Highlights of the trail include a sundown cruise on the famous St Francis canals, and a calamari tasting at Port St Francis, the only privately owned working harbour in South Africa. The trail is professionally guided and catered for.

This slackpacking trail won the National Lilizela Awards for Best Visitors Experience (Beach Category) in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Day 1Arrival Day/Hike Day 1: up to 19km from Oyster Bay to Thysbaai and back
Hikers need to be at Cape St Francis Resort by 11am on the day. The trail owners will meet you here, and transfer you to Oyster Bay, 20km to the west. Those flying in to Port Elizabeth can shuttle directly to Oyster Bay.
From here, you will set off on your out-and-back hike to Thysbaai along the coastline. This day is unguided, so you will receive a map and route description.
Highlights include Thysfontein, a little beach with a holiday cottage, where you might find spoor of the cape clawless otter. The trail continues past a rock gully, where during low tide you can see circular rock walls in the water – they are ancient Koi-San fish traps, more than 2 000 years old. Total distance to Thysbaai and back is 19km, but you can turn around at any point.
Overnight: Oyster Kaya
Day 2Hike Day 2: Oyster Bay to Dune Ridge. 18km
On the second day you will be accompanied by an experienced local hiker. You will traverse the dunes of the Sand River – a dune field mobilised by wind and water. Wind blown patterns and rare finds of pot shards will take you into another world.
At 18km, this could be the most challenging day of the trail, especially in inclement weather, but nothing beats the feeling of conquering the Sand River! A shorter route through beautiful coastal thicket, is an alternative - to discuss with the trail owner.
The trail stops at Dune Ridge Country House, where we recommend pre-booking a massage.
Day 3Hike Day 3: Dune Ridge to Cape St Francis. 16km
Todays start is always a little later, as most hikers are reluctant to leave the tranquillity of Dune Ridge. The trail starts out through a beautiful section of coastal forest before reaching the shoreline.
Keep your eyes open for grey duiker, mongoose, porcupine quills, bushbuck and caracal. Once on the coast, look-out for otters in the rock pools, as well as Oystercatchers, Kelp Gulls, terns, and Turnstones.
You will pass Mostertshoek, and walk on the ‘Wild Side’ - so named for the untamed sea that crashes onto the rocks in spectacular fashion. You will see the second largest blow hole in SA, an unknown grave, the remains of the HMS Osprey that ran onto the rocks in 1867, as well as the Cape Recife (1929).
The day finishes at Cape St Francis Resort, where you will enjoy a sundowner cruise on the St Francis canals before dinner.
Day 4Hike Day 4: Cape St Francis to St Francis Bay. 8km
The last day kicks off on Cape St Francis beach, and follows the footpaths via Shark Point to Port St Francis, where Clive Cantor from Chokka Block will tell you more about the Chokka industry and provide a calamari tasting. Hiking past Bruce’s Beauties to Granny’s Pool, here our journey will come to an end with a farewell lunch at Bruce’s Ocean Museum and Café.
You will be transported back to the Resort after lunch to collect your vehicle. If needing to catch a plane this day, you will normally end around 3pm, but this can be made earlier if needs be.

Sundowner Cruise on the St Francis canals

Oyster Kaya in Oyster Bay (holiday flats with catering)

Dune Ridge Country House (4 star)

Cape St Francis Resort (3 star)

Brisan B&B on the Canals (4 star)

We suggest arriving one day early and staying an additional night at the Oyster Kaya in Oyster Bay.

Cape St Francis Resort - Night 3 Chokka Trail

Do we carry our own backpacks?
No. You only carry a small day pack with your packed lunch, while your luggage is transported from lodge to lodge on this trail.
What type of footwear is appropriate?
Worn in hiking boots or trail running shoes.
What is the best time of year for this trail?
The trail is closed 15 December to 5 January, and the best hiking weather is Autumn (Mar-May) and Spring (mid August - Oct). As we are situated on the most south-eastern tip of Africa, and the world experiences a change in weather patterns, it is always best is to come prepared for 4 seasons in a day!
Can this hike be trail run?
If you want to! We will recommend changes to the route to add some distance or other activities for the afternoons and of course everyone in the group must then be runners.