Things to do in Port Elizabeth --- Sacramento Hiking Trail. Addo Elephant Park; Kragga Kamma wildlife reserve; Historical and township tours. Hikes and trails of Port Elizabeth

Peter Giddy Guided Tours
The Sacramento Hiking Trail -- September 2017

Peter is an experienced walker and has good knowledge of the walks and trails in the Port Elizabeth area.  These walks are not tough and generally take us between 2 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace.

Also available are other activities such as:

• A variety of Shore Excursions  -- Cruise Liners docking in Port Elizabeth harbour.
• Addo Elephant Park Safaris
• Garden Route touring
• Kragga Kamma (for Rhino; Giraffe; Cheetah and various antelope); African Dawn (a bird and wildlife sanctuary);
• Historical City and Township tours or combination.
• River canoe trails; Horse riding on the beach; Ocean Safaris (Dolphins, Penguins and at present we are seeing whales). Zip Line adventures; Sandboarding; Surfing lessons.
• Hotel and Airport Transfers.

peter.giddy@gmail.com 
In association with SA Guided Tours
petergiddy@saguidedtours.com

 

The view of the sea and shoreline from the top of the dune trail

Sacramento Hiking Trail                                         Thursday 7th September 2017

The Sacramento Hiking Trail is a one or two hour walk on the West Side of Port Elizabeth. 
The Sacramento was a Portuguese ship that sank in this area in 1647 with an interesting story around it. Some of the crew had survived the wreck and had, after a short period, walked north east towards Mocambique. 

 Our group of 16 walkers led by Alan.

We tend to walk at an easy pace with regular stops to regroup
This morning there are about 40 hikers.  25 walk the Short Course which is flatter and shorter. I am with the group that do the longer walk of about 2 hours. 
This is the first time I walk this trail since the fires of June 2017 which have devastated the vegetation which assists in stablizing the Dunes.  We walk on the pathway that is above the dunes.  There is a bit of dune climbing and our shoes fill with sand.  Nothing too tough.  The weather is perfect for a walk of this nature.  Not too hot with a light west wind cooling us off. 
There are 16 of us in this group.  Alan is our group leader.  Also hiking today I meet up with Andy, Benny (who lends me his phone to take some pics as I left mine in the car) and David.  The rest of the group are ladies. 

We reach the Boreli's pathway and walk the final bit towards the boardwalk on the bridal path.  Once at Sardinia Bay we walk down the boardwalk. The top part of the walk has been covered with beach sand. And then down to Sardinia Bay where the Surf Lifesaving Clubhouse used to be.  Here we stop for a brief rest and snack.  I empty my shoes and socks of sand. 

 

 David and Benny enjoying a snack and rest

 The ladies are ready to start the return walk

The group takes the opportunity for a bit of shade on the beach at Sardinia Bay.
The return walk is mainly a flat easy walk along the beach and lower pathways.  On the way we pass a beached whale.  It does not look like much more than a blob. It has been here for a few weeks and has become misshapen with most of its outer layer having peeled off.

The carcas of a beached whale on the beach near to Schoenmakerskop

Back towards the parking lot where the Sacramento Canon is located at the end of the Schoenmakerskop village.  This is one of Port Elizabeth's favourite walks and today was no exception. 
Some of the group stop off at the local coffee shop for a light lunch or tea.
I have to return home as I have been asked to conduct a Kragga Kamma wildlife reserve Safari this afternoon.

 This is all that is left of where the Sardinia Bay lifeguards clubhouse used to be.  It has been knocked down after the access road was covered by dunes and the structure had decayed from constant battering of the west winds.

 Looking back towards Schoenmakerskop with burnt branches.

 The Sacramento hiking trail with our group