Epic South African Adventures
Garden Route Coastal Adventure
Wild Coast Wild Nguni Trail
Hunter Gatherers is not just a walking trail, it’s a love affair with nature.
Whether you choose our Garden Route Coastal Adventure or the Wild Coast Wild Nguni Trail, you will experience authentic food, expert guides, and unforgettable moments.
We take great care to immerse our clients in both the rich local history of humanity and the breathtaking natural surroundings.
History and Lifestyle of the Southern African Coastal Hunter-Gatherer
Breathe in the fresh air along the Mossel Bay coastline, where the cliffs, coves, and estuaries tell the story of an ancient human heritage. Humans have been harvesting shellfish from these shores for at least 160,000 years. The Pinnacle Point caves near Mossel Bay preserve evidence such as hearths, shell middens, and finely crafted stone tools, demonstrating that coastal foragers skillfully relied on the sea as a stable food source long before farming existed.
Early Symbolic Thought and Cultural Expression
Further along the southern Cape, discoveries at Blombos Cave reveal remarkable artifacts including ochre marked with cross-hatched designs, shell beads, and finely ground silcrete, all dated to around 73,000 years ago. These finds show that these early communities were not just surviving – they were thinking symbolically, creating personal ornaments, and producing art.
A Life in Harmony with Nature
Archaeological layers at Klasies River and nearby sites unfold like chapters of a book, highlighting repeated seasonal visits to collect mussels and limpets, hunt small antelope, snare seabirds, and craft tools from stone and bone. This mobile lifestyle was built on extensive knowledge of tides, animal migrations, and plant cycles, reflecting a deep connection with the natural environment.
Ingenious Coastal Technologies
Along the Garden Route and neighboring bays, echoes of Later Stone Age ingenuity persist in the form of low stone tidal fish traps and rock wall enclosures (called vyvers). These simple yet effective constructions, likely thousands of years old, trapped fish as the tide receded. Such technologies – including microliths, hafted points, shell beads, and ochre pigments, were integral to daily life and held cultural significance for hunting, fishing, decorating, and storytelling.
Resilience Through History
The arrival of colonial powers brought displacement, land dispossession, and attempts to suppress the languages and customs of the San and Khoi peoples. However, the story of these communities did not end there. In recent decades, descendants of the San and Khoi have fought for land rights, legal recognition, and cultural revival. Landmark settlements and heritage projects, such as the !Ae!Hai/!Xaus initiatives, along with laws recognizing Khoi-San leadership, mark important steps toward reclaiming their history and livelihoods.
Living Archaeology on the Trails
Today, when hikers explore the coastal trails around Mossel Bay—passing ancient middens, fish-trap ruins, and cave mouths—they are walking through living archaeology. These trails allow visitors to experience knowledge of the sea, seasons, and landscapes that continue to be taught, shared, and celebrated. The stories and ways of life intertwined with this shoreline remain vibrant and accessible to all who venture there.
Book Your Hunter Gatherers Adventure
Immerse yourself in South Africa’s coastal hiking trails and experience our majestic coastline like never before.
Enquire now for available dates and booking details.