GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — The Klim en Klouter Hiking Club and any other interested parties have an exciting hike to look forward to this weekend.

The club intends to explore the lesser-known eastern section of the Camdeboo National Park this coming Saturday.

The hike will commence at the old Waaihoek camp site and will follow the dedicated hiking circuit from there.

The route takes one to the rarely seen vistas on the eastern edge of the Reserve. The hikers will walk around Kudusnek before returning to the Waaihoek braai site.

The hiking club has previously come across the rarely sighted Drakensberg Rock Jumper in that vicinity.

With its striking orange breast and distinctive call, this bird is slightly out of its habitat there as it is usually found in areas with an altitude exceeding 2 000m. To see this bird, whose habitat extends from Graaff-Reinet into the Lesotho Highlands would again be a rare treat.

The hike consists of 9 kilometers of easy and undulating walking, on good paths for the most part. Kudu, rooihartebees, and springbuck, as well as the endangered mountain zebra should also be seen on the hike.

The weather forecast predicts a cold, overcast day; Waaihoek is also well-named - hikers are advised to dress accordingly

Aspirant and experienced hikers alike are urged to meet at Mossievale in Park Street at 07:00 on Saturday, August 26.

Take along a hat, good walking shoes, a light packed breakfast and a more substantial lunch braai pack.

The bird life and wild life is exceptional and worthy of a pair of binoculars. A daily hike fee of R20 as well as a conservancy fee of R35 is required; a Wild Card will cause the latter fee to fall away.

Kindly let Carl Fischer know that you are attending the hike, as transport to Waaihoek needs to be arranged. He may be contacted on 049 892 3258 during working hours.

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