Guest Reviews

It was a wonderful experience for body, psyche and soul. Being so close to the sea, on the beach, over the rocks, amongst the fynbos. The weather was excellent, our guide Chris very informative, respectful and kind. The accommodation excellent, the breakfasts / lunches / suppers very tasteful. The hosts were friendly and checked in regularly. I reflect back on the experience daily. We are already planning a next similar or repeat experience.

I would love to do this every month - it was spectacular. The accommodation was lovely, and it showcased some of the best coastal scenery in South Africa.

We are a group of 12 ladies who do a yearly hike over woman’s day in August and the Oystercatcher trail did not disappoint this year. Mia, Willem and our guide Georgia went out of their way for us; meeting us with champagne on the boat at Gouritzriver, adjusting the complete 4 day hike into 3 days and arranging a lovely warm lunch on day 2. Such attention to detail! For the more adventurous and fit I would definitely recommend changing the 4 days into 3 days (Mosselbaai to Gouritzriver). The distances are still very manageable (14 - 20km per day) and the scenery change between cliff-paths, sand and fynbos spectacular.

We took our two babies on this trail in their carriers and it was simply spectacular! From the long stretches of beach, to rocky coastlines and fynbos, it was a beautiful route and we loved taking our time to stop and let the little ones explore. To top it off, the owners of the trail Mia and Willem made an effort to welcome us, the old fisherman’s cottage was cozy, the food was something to look forward to at every meal and our guide Chris was exceptional! We would absolutely do this trail again and recommend it to anyone looking for pristine nature, calming landscapes and an interest in local fauna and flora.

Fresh air and great views combined with good company made for a much needed very relaxing hike. The accomodation was top class. Full breakfast and home cooked meals served every evening was a treat. Our guide Chris added local knowledge and shared interesting facts about the area and environment. The beach hikes are challenging on days when the tide is high mid morning. The final day's boat ride on the Gourits river is a real highlight.

This slack-packing trail is an absolute must for anyone with an adventurous spirit. It really caters for young and old. Add this hike to your bucket list and you will enjoy every moment of pristine nature and so much more. Every moment was perfect, great accommodation with the most beautiful sea view, great food and absolutely wonderful hosts. Our guide was an expert in many ways and consider the capabilities of each member of the group. The boat ride on the Gourits River and the birds of prey was an unexpected bonus added to the last day's walk. This was one of our best experiences. Well done.

Three days of slack-packing, great food, wonderful hosts, great accommodation, well organized, three days of the most scenic hikes with fantastic guides to inform you of the history and fauna and flora. Definitely a bucket list hike! You can also add the world’s longest zip line as an extra!

Three amazing days hiking beaches, rocky shorelines and rivers in Boggomsbaai near the Garden Route. One of the best hikes I have ever done. Loved every minute!

Our reservation for this hike was made prior to the onslaught of the Covid -19 pandemic. With having adult, married children that have individuated, it was a period of uncertainty that the event would eventually take place. Once lockdown level 2 was announced, it was again a period of uncertainty anticipating whether a whole family's health could maintain, in order to eventually enjoy a hike that we have reserved approximately 6 months prior to the starting date.

Once it was confirmed that we were all good to go, our experience of the event was just the remedy needed to restore not only our family unit, but also our physical, mental and psychological well-being.

Our hosts were warm and welcoming, and incredibly accommodative of all our needs. We were accommodated for all 3 nights in simple, very comfortable, exceptionally cozy homes, that allowed our family to relax and spend time together chatting around in the lounge that had an enormous, cozy fireplace. The bonding time we had was just what we needed to reconnect after months of being apart and busy with the activities of each of our lives. We most appreciated the security of the community, and that there is still a place in this country where transacting for wood each night was based on the old fashioned value of honesty. Each night we lit the fire and spent hours chatting with one another.

We met with Fred, the developer of the trail and his mission and purpose to preserve the Oyster Catcher bird and save it from extinction. It was a privilege to be able to hear his story of bold courage.

Our knowledgeable guide, Chris, kept us riveted with snippets of information that extended from the history of our ancestors to details of the natural wonders of our world. For three days we walked along that beautiful coastline, enjoying the revival of our senses. Despite our group ranging in age and level of fitness, the trail accommodated all and we managed the distances set each day.

At days end, the greatest joy was anticipating what feast our chef, Skouzie, would prepare for us. In true SA style, the food was nourishing, hearty and traditional celebrating SA cuisine. Thank you Skouzie for accommodating each person's unique preferences, and providing us with good reason to ensure we made it home at the end of each day.

From what we understand, Mia and Willem had just bought the trail when Covid-19 hit. What an honour it was for our family to be their first post-covid clients. They deserve every success in their new venture, and we wish them well. Thank you for providing us with a wonderful family experience, and a great opportunity to bond again after a very challenging time.

Eight ladies decided to do this trail, which was quite challenging due to the very cold, rainy and windy weather. We enjoyed it and the guide was knowledgeable , taking into account the different ages and abilities of the hikers. We enjoyed the terrific scenery and appreciated the politeness and caring nature of our guide, Katharien!
The accommodation was great and we appreciated the neat cottages with a fireplace that was packed and ready to be lit in the cold and rainy weather!
Thanks for the divine food which was well prepared and that you catered for our special needs as well. WE were really pleasantly surprised by the special treatments at the Spa after a tough day of walking in rain and wind along the beach!
WE will for sure recommend this Trail and the accommodation that was provided. On the first night we all felt like film stars with the special welcome that we encountered.
Thank you to a very special crew!

We did the trail, enjoyed the sea, sand beach and just being with nature. Great trail and Katerien was a great guide. Loved het optimism, energy and enthusiasm! Keep this up. We the trail, first night at Anna's place. Then the trail stared. Beautiful scenery. Visited the Point Of Human Origin, a must.

I did Day 3 of the Oystercatcher Trail as part of the Hi-Tec Easter Walking Festival. I only realised when I got there that I had done Day 1 of the Oystercatcher Trail the previous day - The St Blaize Trail. It's a beautiful hike with stunning scenery and a good variety of…

A group of girlfriends did the Oystercatcher hiking trail with me in Oct. We loved everything about the hike (slackpacking) and was pleasantly surprised about the warmth and friendliness of the staff who went out of their way to make our outing a fun experience. The hike was moderate, we had loads of time to spot whales & dolphins, took endless photographs and to make a lifetime of memories with special friends...
We loved our cottage @ Sandpiper and was blown away by the beauty and serenity of Boggomsbaai & surrounds.

We have recently returned from a great adventure completing the 3 day/50km Oystercatcher Trail. We took up residence in the Sandpiper Cottage called "Gone Fishing" for a full week to take advantage of all the area has to offer. We also opted for the self catering hiking option. The hike itself is alongside some of the most spectacular seascapes and fynbos - even if one is rock hopping, sea paddling, trudging through beach sand, beating back thorned bushes or clinging precariously to ragged toothed rock faces. Oystercatchers obligingly frolic in the waves as do dolphins, seals and various birdlife. And occasionally a few overheated hikers joined the fray. The dunes and bush are home to tortoise, civets, snakes and spiders. We were led by a very capable and knowledgeable guide, who introduced us to the flora and fauna and the fascinating history of the origin of our human forbears who sought shelter and sustenance in the caves at Pinnacle Point before scattering themselves world wide. The hike can be considered challenging, but sitting on the lip of our continent and tucking into a delicious lunch with a vista bigger than one's imagination and the hypnotic swell of the ocean is bliss. The Pinnacle Point Golf Estate is a blot on the landscape and hard to ignore but cast your eyes towards the ocean. Or the beach sand and fossick for Mermaid's purses or blood red pebbles. The cottage itself was a very comfortable base albeit a bit grubby. But how very rare to stay somewhere where open doors and gardens spill out into the sunshine and Double Collared Sunbirds wake you at dawn.
If you have time - go and explore Mossel Bay. The tourist information centre has an excellent brochure on a historic walk around the town that includes a museum on irons!

The Oystercatcher Trail is an outstanding hike along the coastline with an amazing guide LM. Thank you for making the trip a special one and going out of your way to create a stunning sunset with Oysters and Champagne and for all your patience .To all at the Sand Piper Cottages for great food and hospitality. We can highly recommend this trip to all !!!

We did the gold Oystercatcher Trail as part of our longer holiday in South Africa and were delighted with the whole set up. We were met at George airport and driven to Mossel Bay for our first night in the amazing Ana's Place. Our guide for the trip came to meet us over a glass of wine...dinner in a lovely local restaurant was pre arranged and we walked to a restaurant by the beach for breakfast the next morning, before setting off on our first days walking. The walking was fabulous and our guide Chris was most knowledgeable and a pleasure to be with for the whole time and we loved learning from him about all the flora and fauna and geology of the area. The stop at Pinnacle Point for the fantastic talk and tour of the Point of Human Origin Caves was really inspirational. We were driven to our next accommodation at Sandpiper Cottages, where we stayed in the charming Sea Mist cottage. We had all our delicious meals in the nearby Sandpiper Centre, where everyone was so friendly and helpful. We were beautifully looked after the whole time and the walking was absolutely spectacular...just what we had been hoping for.

Have just done silver oystercatcher trail. Wonderful walk with stunning views. If you do the 3 day walk you will have a 21 km walk in the last day which is quite long. But thoroughly recommend it.
Cottages are lovely and the food and service excellent.

Eighteen of us from Helderberg Sunrise Rotary Club stayed at Sandpiper Cottages during Oystercatcher Trail April 2014. We had a brilliant time on the Trail with our guides Willie and Chris.
We had the self catering option but had packed lunches provided as well as dining at their Reception/Leisure Centre. The packed lunches were very good and locally home cooked food in the evening was brilliant with great side dishes. Annemarie and her team could not have been more helpful, nothing was too much trouble. The cottages we stayed in were very well equipped for our party, all were individual and we would all be happy to return to them.

We stayed at Sandpiper cottages on three nights while doing Oystercatcher trail (slackpacking)
Cottages were well equipped and comfortable. Catering at the Sandpiper Centre was excellent, especially as we were a group containing some serious vegans. They did very well!!

We were there 4 days to do the Oystercatcher trail. The trail was magnificent, so amazing. The Sandpiper Cottages is such a nice place and the people are second to none. It's like visiting family, you just feel so welcome. We will definitely be back one day.

We were known as the "Stoned Legg" group (Stan & Carolyn Stone, Bobby & Colleen Legg)
We started our trip in Mossel Bay, spending our first night at "Ana's Place" - wow what beautiful accommodation and the views overlooking the harbour were to die for!! The accommodation and views were so good that we opted for take aways rather than go out to eat!!!
The following morning we were met by our guide "Willie" and walked to the Fynbos Restaurant and gift shop for breakfast before starting our 15km walk from Cape St. Blaize to Dana Bay. The views were spectacular and lunch was enjoyed at Pinnacle Point Golf Estate. We were met at Dana Bay and transported to Boggomsbaai to our accommodation at Sandpiper Cottages, which was our "cottage" accommodation for the next 3 nights. The most wonderful snack platter awaited us on our arrival. We were given the cottage "Gone Fishing" which had 4 bedrooms and a lovely kitchen/lounge dining area as well as bath and showers and seperate toilet. The accommodation was very spacious and comfortable.
As we had opted for the "catered option", dinners and breakfasts were at the Sports Centre. The Sports Centre boasted a wide selection of spirits, beers and wines.
The following day we were all given a packed lunch and transported back to DanaBay to continue our walk (+- 12km) back to Boggomsbaai. The walk was along the shore, with unspoilt beaches and nesting Oystercatchers.
The following day we walked from Boggomsbaai all the way to the Gouritz (+- 21 km)
Lunch was served "in style" on the beach in Fransmanshoek.
That evening we were given Oysters and Sparkling wine prize giving.
The breakfasts, lunches and especially the dinners were superb.
Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff, we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.