Reviews

What a wonderful way to experience the Karoo.

The guiding, hospitality, food, everything was just perfect. Not too strenuous, so easy to be out enjoying the environment all day.

Thank you to everyone that was involved in organising such a well thought out trail.

Just wanted to say what a wonderful hike and stay we had. It was beautiful, fun, spiritual, interesting, and just delightful!!

Kudos to your planning and organising.

All on point. Thank you again to Mark and you.

I wish to take this opportunity to again mention what an absolutely brilliant hike the Karoo Stone Folk Trail is.
You have set up a really brilliant trail.
I loved the beautiful scenery, staying in the farmhouses and meeting the very special Eastern Cape farmers, walking along stock/game trails, along rivers, over rocks and with a bit of bundu bashing too!
What an adventure it was.
Thank you both for everything you did for us girls.
I will highly recommend the Stone Folk Trail to all our friends and others who we meet.
Nell

I just wanted to say thank you so much for an awesome hike. You guys made a great team, and I really enjoyed the mix of detail re the nature and fossils, as well as the farming aspects, and life of the local community. All of this was surrounded by your passion for the area and the people, which I so loved and understood, being a passionate eastern caper myself.

Thank you for your attention to detail eg being on time with everything you planned, wonderful food prepared enthusiastically, your preparation which you told us about for medical backup or help if needed, the efficient and responsive email contact beforehand, your calmness in assessing the changing situation and making wise calls (even if some of us wanted to mutiny – sorry Anthony, thanks Mark !) etc – it made us feel like we were in safe hands, and we could just enjoy the wonderful experience of being in the surroundings and tucking into great food at the end of each day in welcoming farm homes, and chilling together. Your touch of humour and professionalism was always appreciated too.

Congratulations on a job well done. We over 60’s have come home with fantastic memories, thankful and happy hearts, new friends, and anticipation of more good hikes to come.

All the best.

Regards

Frith

A truly memorable time, can’t wait to book our next adventure with Mark and Anthony.

Our boys loved it so much and are already asking to go again.

Thank you Mark and Anthony for the delicious food, incredible stories and knowledge.

This was an experience that will stay with us forever – soulful and full of joy! Counting down to the next one.

Jeannine

An Authentic Karoo Adventure with Wide Open Spaces

We had an unforgettable experience with Wide Open Spaces on the Karoo Stone Folk Trail. For three days we crossed beautiful Karoo landscapes with our fantastic guides Anthony and Marc — walking cross-country over hills, through riverbeds, in sunshine and rain. Every day brought new breathtaking scenery, wildlife and adventure.

In the evenings we stayed with local Karoo farmers, where we enjoyed delicious home-cooked meals, warm showers, and comfortable beds. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting the local farmers, hearing their stories, and learning more about life in the Karoo. It made the experience feel authentic, personal, and deeply connected to the land and its people.

We learned so much and made new friends along the way.

A huge thank you to Anthony and Marc for their excellent guidance and company, and a very special thank you to Judi from Weltevreden Farm for all the wonderful food and hospitality.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a true Karoo adventure!

Eddy & Caroline

My first hike, igniting a new passion for the sport!

I had a most enjoyable hiking experience, despite my initial reservations given my hiking fitness.  This was my first hike and I can recommend it to any one who is relative fit, irrespective of their regular exercise of choice.  It has definitely awoken a new passion in my life!

The scenery was spectacular, the accommodation and food first class and the company most enjoyable.

Anthony was very professional to deal with, helpful, friendly and knowledgeable about the fauna, flora and environment.

Anina.

Thanks once again to you and Mark for hosting us on what was, an incredible few days. Everything met and exceeded my expectations. How often can one declare that?

Well done and I look forward to walking with ‘Wide Open Spaces’ again in the not too distant future.

Kind regards, Derek.

Loved every minute to the Stone folk Hike in the Karoo. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The wonderful farm stay accommodation, the excellent catering, and our superb guides who had a wealth of information to share.

Hassle free hiking at it’s very best.A must do to discover some hidden treasures in the area surrounding Nieu Bethesda.

Welll done tobthe wide open spaces team, thank you for making this hike possible.

Loved our walking trip across the farms in the remote Eastern Cape. Fabulous guides, scenery and great catering! Would highly recommend

We had the most incredible time on the Karo Stone Folk Trail. Long days hiking through the vast hills under the mighty Kompasberg. Sometimes on tracks, sometimes not, the hiking was never too arduous even though we averaged 18kms a day. Through different landscapes each day ,the vistas and canyons were amazing. the overnight accomodation is superb, in old Karoo farmhouses. the food was excellent, the snacks amazing and the guides ,Mark Anthony ,were good company with fantastic local knowledge.Take an extra night or two and experience Nieu Bethesda while there-it is an incredible village to explore.

In August 2025 we did the Stone Folk Hike in the Karoo with Anthony from Wide Open Spaces. From the first communication, the booking to the last detail was professional , informative and helpful. The accommodation on the farms was lovely and the food superb ! The warm karoo hospitality was wonderful especially after a hard day’s walking.
The first day’s terrain was tough , but we all made it. The second and third day were much easier , good fitness was really beneficial. The scenery was beautiful and because Anthony and his assistant guide , Mark , are so knowledgeable, the enjoyment of the area , the plant and wildlife and rock formations etc was all enhanced.
We look forward to many more hikes in different areas with Anthony ! We highly recommend that you enjoy our beautiful country with Wide Open Spaces !