Guided Day Trips & Walks

Discover the rich history and natural wonders of Stilbaai with these guided day trips, each offering a unique perspective on the region’s archaeological, cultural, and ecological heritage. From hiking to the Blombos Cave and exploring ancient fish traps to learning about Khoikhoi traditions and the origins of human culture, these excursions blend stunning landscapes with engaging storytelling.
Whether visiting historic sites, walking along fossil-filled coastlines, or delving into the area’s culinary history, each trip provides a deeper connection to the fascinating past and breathtaking beauty of the Southern Cape.

1/2 Day Trips

Full Day Trips

3 Day Guided Tour

Half Day Trips

Geelkrans Coast: Ancient Evidence

This is a half day walk at low tide along a pristine and fascinating stretch of coast, to the east of Stilbaai. The rock formations (known as Aeolianite formations) consist of petrified sand dunes, formed during the last two Ice Ages and eroded into cliffs. While these formations are interesting regarding their origin, texture and visual attractiveness, they also hold secret evidence from past activities in the area. Many animal tracks have been found here, embedded in the rock. The past will come alive for you when hiking along this coastline. Your guide will help you to observe and interpret the evidence and formations, dating back more than 100 000 years ago. You will also visit a unique shell midden, stacked by the more recent Khoikhoi people who lived along this coast.

Note: A minimum of 4 people is required per trip. People must provide their own car for transport. If your group is smaller, please submit a booking inquiry so we can explore options to accommodate you. Otherwise, proceed with your online booking.
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R300pp - Book Now!
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Ancient Fish Traps & Khoikhoi History

This is an easy half-day excursion in and around Stilbaai.  You will visit the ancient fish traps at low tide, to clearly see how they were constructed and used.  Your guide will tell you the whole story and fascinating history about these ingenious and well-preserved stone walls.  Constructed by the Khoikhoi people from as far back as 2000 years, they were still in use to catch fish up until the 1970’s.  It is now a national heritage site and a marine reserve. From the fish traps, you will be accompanied by a paleo-ecologist and walk through the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve, where you will learn about the early harvesting of seafood and coastal plants by the Khoikhoi people.  These people not only used the plants as food, but also as medicine, tea and food flavorants.  Some of these plants are now being used in fine-dining restaurants as entrees or flavoring of food.  You will be fascinated by this interesting walk. After that, you will also visit an ancient shell midden, showcasing all the types of shellfish that the early inhabitants collected for food.  This is another fascinating aspect of the area’s early history.  Finally, you will visit the small Stilbaai Harbor and one of the only remaining fishing boats from the 1960’s, which used the Harbor to go out to sea for fishing.  The story is also fascinating.

Note: A minimum of 4 people is required per trip. People must provide their own car for transport. If your group is smaller, please submit a booking inquiry so we can explore options to accommodate you. Otherwise, proceed with your online booking.
See Available Dates
R300pp - Book Now!
Booking Enquiry

Origins of Tastes / Origins of Human Culture Walks.

These walks focus on the indigenous resources e.g.plants and seafood of the area that were used for generations by the early inhabitants for food, medicine and flavoring and other uses. As humans were dependent on their environment, they may be included as players, not masters, in a complex ecosystem. Dr Jan de Vynck, a paleo-ecologist and naturalist, facilitates these fascinating short walks. He also does a walk along the Geelkrans coast, with a lot of evidence of the early landscape and the presence of animals during the ice age.

Note: A minimum of 4 people is required per trip. People must provide their own car for transport. If your group is smaller, please submit a booking inquiry so we can explore options to accommodate you. Otherwise, proceed with your online booking.
See Available Dates
R300pp - Book Now!
Booking Enquiry

Ancient Footprints

The coastal area east of Stilbaai is composed of old dunes formed during ice ages. These dunes have cemented into rock (aeolianite or sand rock) and harbor tracks and trackways of animals. Human trackways are also found including children walking with sticks! These animal tracks have aided in better understanding the ecosystem of the area during ice ages. New species, extinct known species and species completeely removed from their current distribution ranges are found.

Full Day Trips

Blombos Cave Hike and Museum Visit

This is a full day excursion.  You will visit the local Blombos/Early humans Interpretation Center in Stilbaai, where you will see many artefacts from the Blombos Cave, the Stilbaai area and from other shelters along the Southern Cape coast.  There will also be a talk by an archaeologist about Blombos and how it fits into the early development of Homo sapiens. Adding to the wonderful experience, there will be an excursion to the Blombos area, to see where the Blombos Cave is situated along the stunning coastline to the west of Stilbaai.  This rather rough walk of about 6 km, is only suitable for capable walker and people who are not afraid of some mild exposure.  However, the scenery along this rugged stretch of coastline is something you will not forget.

Note: A minimum of 4 people is required per trip. If your group is smaller, please submit a booking inquiry so we can explore options to accommodate you. Otherwise, proceed with your online booking.
See Available Dates R600pp - Book Now!
Booking Enquiry

Historical Stilbaai & Up-the-River

This full day trip offers a very interesting variety of historical and cultural features, in and around Stilbaai. You will visit places where the pioneers of Stilbaai established themselves in the early 1800’s, like the oldest homestead, first house on the riverbank, and the oldest church in Melkhoutfontein (the traditional village for Colored People). You will also visit a one-room school from the past, some of the oldest holiday houses in Stilbaai, and an old building with a smelly history….. We will then drive up the Goukou river along the meandering road with many beautiful views of the river landscape and olive farms. We will visit a cave that was used by pre-historic people, and then arrive at the highlight of the day: Kransfontein Olive Estate. On this land, that was previously owned by the writer Wilbur Smith, we will take you on a stunning 4 km walk through some amazing stonework, landscaped gardens, lush indigenous vegetation, groves of fruit trees and along an aqueduct that supplies the whole farm with spring water. Before driving back to Stilbaai, you will have the chance to buy some high-quality olive products from the estate.

Note: A minimum of 4 people is required per trip. If your group is smaller, please submit a booking inquiry so we can explore options to accommodate you. Otherwise, proceed with your online booking.
See Available Dates R600pp - Book Now!
Booking Enquiry

3 Day Guided Tour

This is the ultimate trip for anybody interested in archaeology, the origins of mankind and the early history of the Khoikhoi people. It is a combination of all the day excursions and visits to interesting places. We will accommodate you for two nights in a comfortable seaside holiday house in Stilbaai. You can do self-catering, or use our fully-catered option. This is a self-drive trip, and you must be willing to use your own vehicle to visit the various places around Stilbaai (± 120 km over 3 days on tar and country roads, where medium ground clearance is needed). The guide’s own vehicle will also be available).

ITINERARY: (a detailed itinerary will be sent to paid-up participants beforehand)

Day 1

Meet up with your guide at 9:00 in Stilbaai.  You will visit the ancient fish traps during low tide, to have a clear view of how they were constructed and used.  Your guide will tell you the whole story and fascinating history about these ingenious and well-preserved stone walls.  Constructed by the Khoikhoi people from as far back as 2000 years, they were still in use to catch fish up until the 1970’s.  It is now a national heritage site and a marine reserve.

From the fish traps, you will be accompanied by Dr Jan de Vynck, a paleo-ecologist and walk through the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve, where you will learn about the early harvesting of seafood and coastal plants by the Khoikhoi people.  These people not only used the plants as food, but also as medicine, food flavorants and tea.  Some of these plants are now being used in fine-dining restaurants as entrees or flavoring of food.  You will be fascinated by this interesting walk.

After that, you will also visit an ancient shell midden, showcasing all the types of shellfish that the early inhabitants collected for food.  This is another fascinating aspect of the area’s early history.  Finally, you will visit the small Stilbaai Harbor and one of the only remaining fishing boats from the 1960’s, which used the Harbor to go out to sea for fishing.  The story is also fascinating.

Day 2

You will visit the local Origins of Human Culture Exhibition in Stilbaai, where you will see many artefacts from the Blombos Cave and other ancient ones found in the Stilbaai area.  There will also be a talk by an archaeologist about the early development of Homo Sapiens in the area, and how it fits into the global development of early humans.

Adding to the wonderful experience, there will be an excursion to the Blombos area, to see where the Blombos Cave is situated along the stunning coastline to the west of Stilbaai.  This rather rough walk of about 6 km, is only suitable for capable walker and people who are not afraid of some mild exposure.  However, the scenery along this rugged stretch of coastline is something you will not forget. 

Day 3

This day offers a very interesting variety of historical and cultural features, in and around Stilbaai.  You will visit places where the pioneers of Stilbaai established themselves in the early 1800’s, like the oldest homestead, first house on the riverbank, and the oldest church in Melkhoutfontein (the traditional village for Colored People).  You will also visit a one-room school from the past, some of the oldest holiday houses in Stilbaai, and an old building with a smelly history…..

We will then drive up the Goukou river along the meandering road with many beautiful views of the river landscape and olive farms.  You will get to see a cave that was used by pre-historic people, and then arrive at the highlight of the day: Kransfontein Olive Estate.  On this property, that was previously owned by the writer Wilbur Smith, we will take you on a stunning 4 km walk through some amazing stonework, landscaped gardens, lush indigenous vegetation, groves of fruit trees and along an aqueduct that supplies the whole farm with spring water.  Before driving back to Stilbaai, you will have the chance to buy some high quality olive products on the estate.  This is the end of your tour.

Arriving back in Stilbaai, you can depart for home, or stay another night to explore more of the town, with its’ abundance of coffee shops, variety shops and good restaurants.


Note: A minimum of 6 people is required per trip. If your group is smaller, please submit a booking inquiry so we can explore options to accommodate you. Otherwise, proceed with your online booking.

See Available Dates
Book Now!
Booking Enquiry