What do you want from a breakaway? Increasingly, the answer is inspiration, not just relaxation. We're looking for the chance to see the world with fresh eyes, to experience something out of the ordinary and to step outside our comfort zone.
It's a global trend that holidaymakers are searching for experiences that offer a little extra - whether it's the freedom to enjoy a hiking trail without lugging a heavy backpack or the exclusivity of a remote cabin that can't be reached by car.
Here in South Africa, CapeNature is leading the way with a series of unique experiences that combine outdoor adventure with comfort, culture and more.
Any one of these special experiences deserves a space on your bucket list, but with a Wild Card you don't have to limit yourself. Available in different options for individuals, couples and families, the Wild Card offers members a year's free entry to more than 80 reserves and parks in Southern Africa.
Make 2013 a year to remember with a trip from this line-up:
Saddle up for an overnight horse trail to a secluded corner of the Klein Karoo. Here there is no artificial light and when the sun sets, the sky is transformed: masses of stars appear above, a dazzling display compared to dull city skies. A knowledgeable star guide will point out constellations, planets and star clouds. You don't need to be an expert rider to take on this trail. From horseback you'll have a unique vantage point of the landscape; look out for gemsbok, red hartebeest and Cape mountain zebra.
You'll feel like an intrepid adventurer when you load your canoe and make your way upriver. Your destination is the Whiskey Creek cabin, a private hideaway that is accessible only by canoe. The trail winds through a beautifully forested valley and along the way you'll pass picnic spots and riverside beaches where you can relax. The cabin is rustic, but the real luxury lies in the sizable deck with firepit where you can talk deep into the night.
This slackpacking trail sets the gold standard for other routes. 'Hiker's hut' doesn't do justice to the stone cottage perched on the cliffs at Vaalkrans or the Hamerkop lodge with its expansive deck for whale watching. The scenery along the route is magnificent, changing from rocky hills and fields of fynbos to wide sandy beaches and white-capped breakers. Your luggage is transported between stops, so you can complete each section of the trail at your leisure.
If you like facing up to challenges that come with a good dose of adrenalin, this kloofing route is for you. The trail involves hiking into the gorge then following the course of the river as it tumbles down waterfalls and cuts through kloofs. Completing the route calls for walking, swimming and leaping into mountain pools many metres below. This all-day trail is open from 1 November to 30 April and is definitely for the brave, but the rewards are well worth it.
The view from the top of Wyenek Pass is breathtaking but it's a steep climb to the top. That's where the donkeys come in. These hardy and sure-footed animals will carry your gear to the mountain camp, leaving you free to marvel at the changing scenery. Trekking with the donkeys at Nature's pace sets the tone for a trip that lets you slow things down and live in the moment. The next day's walk leads down into Die Hel, where restored pioneer cottages provide a glimpse into the past and a comfortable place to overnight.
For more information go to www.wildcard.co.za.
