The Nieu-Bethesda Camino is a unique walking experience in the heart of the Karoo. It offers multiple route options including a 100km Camino, a 60km Mini-Camino and a 50km Karoo Mini Camino. It’s designed to help participants disconnect, reconnect with nature, and explore the scenic and soulful Karoo village of Nieu-Bethesda. All these are self-guided options. 

Nieu-Bethesda is a small Karoo village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, nestled in the foothills of the Sneeuberg mountains, approximately:

• 770km from Johannesburg
• 850km from Cape Town
• 290km from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
  

Read more about Nieu-Bethesda here.

• Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) is the closest and most convenient option.

We have a shuttle service available  from this airport to Nieu-Bethesda at an additional cost. Please inquire.

Vehicle hire is also available from the airport.

Yes, we have a shuttle service available from Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to Nieu-Bethesda at an additional cost.

Please inquire.

Vehicle Hire is also available from the airport.

The 100km Nieu-Bethesda Camino package includes:

• 6 Nights accommodation
• 5 Days of walking
• All meals: breakfast and lunch packs, and dinner
• Luggage transfers (Slackpacking)
• Daily support
 •Welcome gift and printed route maps

Excludes: transport to/from Nieu-Bethesda, travel insurance, alcohol, tips, and personal snacks.

Please email us at slackpacingthekaroo@gmail.com to receive the info pack with pricing.

The 60km Nieu-Bethesda Mini-Camino package includes:

• 4 Nights accommodation at the same guest house in Nieu-Bethesda
• 3 Days of walking
• All meals: breakfast and lunch packs, and dinner
• You don’t need to pack your luggage everyday.
• Daily support
• Welcome gift and printed route and town maps

Excludes: transport to/from Nieu-Bethesda, travel insurance, alcohol, tips, and personal snacks.

Please email us at slackpacingthekaroo@gmail.com to receive the info pack with pricing.

The Karoo climate is semi-arid. Expect:

• Summer (Nov–Mar): Hot days (28–35°C), cooler nights
• Winter (Jun–Aug): Cold mornings and evenings (can drop below  0°C), mild afternoons (15–20°C)
• Spring & Autumn: Perfect hiking weather, moderate temperatures

Always pack for variable conditions, including sun, wind, rain, sleet, and chilly evenings.

• 60km Camino: Suitable for beginners with moderate fitness. You’ll walk ~20km per day.
• 100km Camino: Better suited for those with hiking experience or preparing for longer Caminos.

Training by walking regularly with a small backpack before the trip is highly recommended.

Yes. A support vehicle transports your main luggage between accommodations. You only need to carry a daypack with essentials like water, snacks, sunscreen, and weather appropriate clothing.

The trail includes:

• Dusty gravel backroads
• Rolling hills and open Karoo plains
• Farm tracks
• Occasional riverbeds and stony sections

It is not technically difficult but does require reasonable fitness and walking endurance.

All experiences include:

• Breakfast and lunch packs every day. 
• Hearty dinners are served every evening. It is either served at a local restaurant or at your accommodation and is often made with local, seasonal ingredients.
• Vegetarian and vegan options available on request.
• Coffee, tea, and rusks available at the accommodation.

Accommodation is in comfortable, locally-owned guest houses or farms. Rooms are:

• Shared (unless you request a single supplement)
• Equipped with warm bedding and private or shared bathrooms
• Cozy, and full of Karoo charm

View Accommodation Photos for 100km Nieu-Bethesda Camino.
View Accommodation Photos for 60km Nieu-Bethesda Mini-Camino.

• The nearest doctor is in Graaff-Reinet (around 50 km away).
• Please note: In the event that an ambulance service is required on your behalf, you will be responsible for the cost and for any related medical expenses.
• Please note that should you require transport to a doctor for medical assistance, Slackpacking the Karoo (Pty) Ltd will charge a transport fee, and you will remain responsible for all related medical expenses.

You’ll be required to fill in a personal info and indemnity form prior to the walk and bring your own medications, including allergy treatments. 

While this is a group experience, you are welcome to walk at your own pace. The camaraderie of fellow walkers is a big part of the Camino spirit, but you will always have space for solitude and reflection.

Not at all. This Camino is not religious, but rather spiritual, reflective, and nature-focused. It’s ideal for those seeking time away from busyness, and a deeper connection with self and the land.

• Signal can be patchy in the area, especially on the trail.
• Nieu-Bethesda has limited Wi-Fi and can be affected by loadshedding or unplanned electricity outages.
• Wi-Fi is available at some guesthouses, but may be slow.

The experience is designed to help you disconnect, but urgent communication is always possible through the support team.

A complete packing list will be provided 6 weeks before your camino, but essentials include:

• Comfortable walking shoes (broken-in)
• Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Layered clothing
• Daypack with waterbottle or hydration system
• Personal medication
• Refillable water bottle
• Walking Stick
• First Aid Kit
• Proper Raincoat
• Warm clothes

Absolutely! Many walkers come solo and find the Camino to be a perfect place to connect with others or enjoy introspection in a safe and supportive environment.

It’s not required, but strongly encouraged! Many past walkers have found journaling to be one of the most meaningful parts of their Camino.

We keep it intimate. Group sizes range from 6 to 8 participants, creating a warm, personal, and connected experience. You’ll have space for solitude and community alike.

• Minimum age: 18 years old.
• Maximum age: No upper limit as long as you are reasonably fit and healthy.

Each walk is suited to different energy levels, and we’ll help you choose the best route for your needs.

Slackpacking means walking with just a light daypack, while your main luggage is transported for you. It makes the Nieu-Bethesda Camino more accessible, enjoyable, and less physically taxing—especially over longer distances.

Your safety is our priority. In the event of extreme weather such as:

• Snow
• Flash floods, Heavy Rains
• Heatwaves 

We may adjust the route, start earlier in the day, shorten distances, or transport participants to the next stop. You will always be kept informed.

Possible additional costs include:

• Transport to/from Nieu-Bethesda
• Some Beverages and Alcoholic drinks
• Optional extra night’s stay
• Gratuities for support team
• Gifts and Crafts from local shops

Yes, there is electricity in Nieu-Bethesda and along the route, but:

• Loadshedding (scheduled power cuts) does occur in South Africa.
• Some of the accommodation establishments are solar powered.

We recommend bringing a power bank for charging your phone/camera.

Yes! Much of the route goes through private working farms & reserves in the Karoo. You’ll see:

• Sheep, goats, cattle & horses
• Interact & feed lambs (during lambing season)
• Windmills
• Farm gates and fences 
• Sheep Shearing (seasonal)
• Wildlife like Kudu, Springbuck, Eland, Zebra, Waterbuck, Blesbok, etc
• Birds of Prey like Fish Eagle, Secretary Birds, Hamerkop, etc.

Please respect farm boundaries and leave gates as you find them.

Unfortunately, no pets are allowed. Due to the presence of livestock, farm dogs, and the nature of shared accommodation, pets are not suitable for this experience.

Yes, we strongly recommend travel insurance that covers:

• Medical emergencies
• Trip cancellation
• Evacuation (unlikely but good to have)

South African residents should ensure they bring their medical aid details and any necessary medical information.

Yes! If you pick up any souvenirs, art, or local goods while exploring Nieu-Bethesda, you can drop them off at Riad Maroc Guesthouse, our base camp. We’ll safely transport your purchases to your final destination, so you don’t have to walk with extra weight.

To confirm your spot, a non-refundable booking fee is required. The balance of your payment is due 6 weeks before the start date of your Camino.

Payment details and options will be provided via email once you indicate that you want to book.

1) We understand the uncertain times that may arise due to pandemics such as COVID-19, as well as other unforeseen events including war, armed conflict, government travel restrictions, or similar circumstances beyond our control.  Should you test positive for COVID-19 (or a similar contagious illness) and are unable to participate in the walk on your booked date, you will receive a full credit to book for another convenient released group date.
Kindly e-mail your test results to slackpackingthekaroo@gmail.com.

2) Should travel limitations be imposed by the government due to pandemics, war, armed conflict, or any other national or international emergency that prevents you from travelling or participating in the Camino, we will allow a full credit to book your Camino at a later time once travel restrictions have been lifted and it is safe to proceed.
Please note that if travel remains possible but you decide not to attend due to increased travel costs, personal financial considerations, or personal concerns about travelling, the standard cancellation terms and conditions will still apply.

3) Slackpacking the Karoo reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or amend any Camino departure if circumstances beyond our control make it unsafe or impractical to proceed, including pandemics, war, civil unrest, natural disasters, extreme weather, government restrictions, or any other force majeure event. In such cases, participants will receive a full credit towards a future Camino date. Slackpacking the Karoo cannot be held responsible for any additional travel or personal expenses incurred.

4) Credits issued under these circumstances will remain valid for 12 months from your booked Camino date.
Any regulations or protocols required by the Government relating to public health, safety, or national emergencies will be followed should they be enforced at the time of your Camino.

Visit Booking Terms Page.

Registration for your Nieu-Bethesda Camino is binding when you receive a confirmation of booking e-mail.

Should you cancel 90 days or more before the starting date of your Camino, 50% of your booking fee will be refunded. Should you cancel less than 90 days before your Camino date, there is no refund on the booking fee. Should you cancel less than 6 weeks before your Camino date, there is no refund and your full payment will be forfeited. Unless you can you find a replacement. 

Should you wish to postpone more than 6 weeks before your Camino date your booking fee will be carried over and you are welcome to request to be slotted into an alternative Group Date for the year. Should you wish to postpone less than 6 weeks before your Camino date your booking fee will be forfeited when you request to be slotted into an alternative group date, and the booking fee will be payable again to confirm the new booking. Please note that this is subject to availability and each booking may only be rescheduled once. 

Should you cancel more than 90 days before your Camino start date, but have previously postponed or moved your Camino booking to another date, the booking will no longer qualify for a refund and the full payment will be forfeited.

All cancellations are only valid if in writing and sent to slackpackingthekaroo@gmail.com

A 10% admin fee will be charged on any cancellation refunds.

View our Booking Terms Page.

We’re in the Karoo, so yes—nature comes with a few small friends:

• Ticks – Common in long grass. We recommend wearing long socks or using tick repellent spray and checking your body before and after walking.
• Mosquitoes – Usually present in summer. Bring repellent, just in case.
• Snakes – Rare, but this is their habitat. Stay on the paths and wear closed shoes. 

We’ve never had serious incidents, but it’s always wise to stay alert and respectful of the natural environment.

• Antelope like Eland, Kudu, Waterbuck, Rheebuck, Bosbok, Duiker, Springbuck, Wildebeest, Zebra & Blesbok
• Birds of Prey like Falcon, Fish Eagle, Secretary Bird
• Monkeys, Baboons, Meerkat, Dassies
• Jackal,
• And more