30/03/2026
Book accommodation on the doorstep to the Fern Kloof nature reserve
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FERN K𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄 - 𝐇𝐈𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐃𝐄/𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒
I 27 March 2026
𝟏. 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐞
Familiarise yourself with the route, terrain, difficulty, and expected duration of the trail. Carry a map of Fernkloof, available at the Botsoc Visitor Centre and the Environmental Conservation Offices at the Fernkloof Reserve office/or GPS device.
• Check gate times, and trail closures.
• Do not hike alone, groups of three or more are strongly recommended.
• Inform a trusted contact of your planned route, start time, expected finish, and group size. Leave this information visible in your vehicle if applicable and sign in the register at the Visitor Centre and with Safety Monitors.
• Know the location of emergency access points along your trail.
𝟐. 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
• Begin hikes early in the day, avoiding the midday heat during summer.
• Hike in daylight, not early morning, or late evening when it becomes dark.
• Avoid hiking during or immediately after severe weather; flash floods, rockfall, and hypothermia risks increase.
• Keep track of sunset times to avoid being caught in the dark.
• Mountain weather can change rapidly, carry waterproof and windproof gear, even in summer.
𝟑. 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Clothing: Sturdy, worn-in hiking shoes or boots with non-slip soles. Two pairs of socks, breathable clothing, hat, and sunblock. Woollen jersey or thermal layers in cold weather.
Water: Minimum 1.5–2 litres per person; more in hot weather.
Food: Lightweight, energy-rich snacks such as dried fruit, nuts, or small meals. Avoid glass containers.
Emergency kit: First aid supplies, whistle, torch with spare batteries, pocketknife, matches in waterproof container, space blanket, compass/map.
Navigation and tracking: Consider apps like SafetyMountain Tracking, Strava, Farout or similar for real-time location sharing with rescuers. Fernkloof also has it’s own Emergency Hiking Group WA group.
𝟒. 𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 - 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
• Keep the group together and move at the pace of the slowest member.
• Stay on designated trails; avoid shortcuts and unmarked paths.
• Stay alert: no headphones, maintain situational awareness.
• Avoid displaying valuables.
• Carry a charged mobile phone with emergency numbers saved.
𝟓. 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬
Always have these numbers programmed into your phone:
• Overstrand Fire & Rescue Emergency Control Room: 028 312 2400
• Overstrand Law Enforcement: 028 313 8996
• Wilderness Search & Rescue: 021 937 0300
• National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI): 028 312 3180
• South African Police Service (SAPS): 10111 | Mobile: 112
• Ambulance: 10177
• Fire Department, report all fires immediately: 028 313 2400
• Overstrand Environmental & Conservation Services: 028 316 5610
𝟔. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐚 - Stay dry, wear warm clothing, avoid prolonged exposure to wind and wet conditions, consume warm fluids.
𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐚 / 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Hike in cool hours, rest in shade, drink water frequently, wear sun protection.
𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 / 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 - Watch your step, do not reach into vegetation or under rocks, seek medical help immediately if bitten.
𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 / 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 - Avoid crossing; wait for safe levels.
𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 - Move away from exposed summits, ridges, trees, and power lines; seek low bush or dry shelter.
𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 - Keep together, avoid synthetic materials close to fire, follow open paths or cleared areas, do not attempt back-burning.
𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 - Retrace steps if safe, stay near known routes, use bright markers, blow a whistle to attract attention.
𝟕. When 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬
1. Stay calm and protect against further injury, do not try and fight the assailant.
2. If possible, look at clothing and direction of escape of assailant.
3. If anyone is hurt, apply first aid if possible.
4. Keep the group together; do not abandon anyone.
5. Send two experienced members to report the incident, providing:
a. Name, age, and condition of injured
b. Precise location (GPS or map grid reference)
c. Details of the rest of the group
6. Follow emergency contacts listed above.
𝟖. 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
Report all criminal activity to the South African Police Service and obtain a docket number from the closest Police station to the area.
Private and reserve user groups may also record incidents; alert them even for minor events.
Awareness of crime trends enhances safety for all users.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞:
Hiking and outdoor activities carry inherent risks. Being prepared is the single most important factor for a safe and enjoyable experience. Rescue operations are complex, costly, and may place volunteers at risk. Your personal safety and responsible behaviour are crucial.
A collection of caring landowners protecting more than 23,000 hectares of lowland fynbos and forests.
