Explore With Francois

Explore With Francois 𓀙Helping you find your next getaway
ᨒBucket list activities & destinations
𖡊Sharing helpful hiking tips & Tricks
✉︎[email protected]
⚲South Africa

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫 & 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐬

I'm Francois, a dedicated hiker with a love for the outdoors, solo trekking, and exploring nature's untouched beauty. Through my adventures, I share hiking tips, gear reviews, and tricks to make every journey memorable. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned trailblazer, my goal is to inspire you to step outside, conquer the trails, and embrace the wild.

If I could delete my first two years on the trail and start completely over from zero, this is exactly what I would do d...
07/09/2026

If I could delete my first two years on the trail and start completely over from zero, this is exactly what I would do differently.

I’d tell myself to stop trying to conquer the mountain and start learning how to move with it. When I first started out, I thought being a 'good' hiker meant buying the most expensive gear, chasing the steepest peaks, and pushing through absolute exhaustion until I was miserable. It took a lot of dead phone batteries, missed warning signs, and brutal trail burnouts to realize that consistency beats suffering every single time.

True trail comfort doesn't come from a luxury price tag; it comes from a backpack that actually fits, a slow pace where you can still hold a conversation, and the humility to eat a snack before your body crashes.

Save these slides for your next trek, drop your ego at the trailhead, and remember that the best hike is always the one you actually want to repeat next weekend.

Thinking about doing the Mnweni Circuit hike? The Mnweni Circuit is one of those hikes that looks straightforward on pap...
02/09/2026

Thinking about doing the Mnweni Circuit hike?

The Mnweni Circuit is one of those hikes that looks straightforward on paper, but once you’re out there, the Drakensberg quickly reminds you to respect the mountains. Starting at Mnweni Cultural Centre, Day 1 takes you deep into the valley with incredible views of the Mnweni peaks, muddy sections, multiple river crossings and a long walk to camp below Mnweni Pass. It’s not technically difficult, but the distance, conditions and backpack weight definitely make it a tiring day.

Then comes Day 2… Mnweni Pass! The climb starts fairly steadily, but that final section is brutal. The trail turns into a scramble over rocks and boulders, where you need to slow down, watch every foot placement and find your own rhythm. It’s tough, but reaching the top and looking back at how far you’ve climbed makes every step worth it.

I’ve put together a full Mnweni Circuit Trail Guide covering what to expect, costs, distances, overnight spots and everything you need to know before taking on this incredible route.

Day 3 takes you down through Rockeries before your lift back to Mnweni Cultural Centre — and that’s a story for another post.

Save this for when you’re planning your Mnweni adventure!

My Little Africa SafariThere is something about Groenkloof that makes you realise how much beauty we miss when we are lo...
31/08/2026

My Little Africa Safari

There is something about Groenkloof that makes you realise how much beauty we miss when we are lost in our own thoughts. We walk the trails looking ahead, thinking about where we need to be next, sometimes looking down at the path beneath our feet, and we forget to look around us.

This time, I slowed down. I started noticing the little things I would normally walk straight past — tiny flowers hidden in the grass, the way a ray of sunshine finds its way through the trees, the patterns, colours and small moments that are so easy to overlook. Sometimes all it takes is looking up, looking down, or simply seeing the same place from a different angle to realise how much beauty has been there all along.

And then there was the little zebra foal, only days old, trying to find its feet. It stumbled, it fell, and it got back up again. Watching it reminded me that perhaps life is not about never falling. We all struggle, we all lose our way and sometimes we don't know which direction to take. But just like that little foal, sometimes we simply have to find our feet, get back up and keep going.

Maybe that's what I love most about Groenkloof. You don't always have to go somewhere far away to find something meaningful. Sometimes you just need to slow down enough to notice what has been around you all along.

The flowers. The sunlight. The wildlife. The silence. The little moments we so easily miss.

Perhaps life is still full of beauty. We just need to stop rushing through it long enough to see it.

26/08/2026

The mountain doesn’t care how experienced you are

That’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. Looking back at some of the hikes I’ve done, some of the decisions I’ve made, and the moments where I’ve become a little too comfortable with the mountains.

You start thinking, “I’ve done this before. I’ll be fine.”
“That won’t happen to me.”
“I’ve never needed my first aid kit, so I’ll leave it at home this time.”

And that’s exactly where complacency creeps in.

The mountain doesn’t know how many hikes you’ve done. It doesn’t care how fit you are, how confident you feel, or how many times you’ve walked that trail.

One mistake. One change in weather. One wrong decision. One moment of bad luck.

And everything can change.

After hearing about yet another life lost in the mountains, I’m reminded just how lucky I’ve been on some of my own hikes. Not because I’m more experienced or because I know better, but because sometimes things simply went right.

We can never remove all the risk from hiking, but we can stop taking our safety for granted.

“No one is going to save you. You have to save yourself.” “Nims” Purja (Nimsdai)

When you’re heading out for a few days, your backpack becomes your home away from home. I’ve been spending some time wit...
26/08/2026

When you’re heading out for a few days, your backpack becomes your home away from home.

I’ve been spending some time with the Columbia Triple Canyon 60L, and the first thing that stood out for me is the amount of space. I can pack all the important gear I need for a multi-day hike without having to play “what can I leave behind?”

What I also really like is how the backpack is designed to keep everything organised and comfortable while carrying a bigger load.

Features that stood out for me:
• 60L capacity – plenty of space for multi-day adventures
• Internal frame – provides structure and support when the pack is loaded
• Hydration bladder compatible – keeps your water organised and accessible while hiking
• Top lid with two pockets – perfect for keeping smaller essentials organised and easy to reach
• Adjustable suspension system – allows you to get the fit right for your body
• Multiple storage compartments – helping you keep your gear organised and accessible
• Rain cover – added protection when the weather decides to change its mind

After using it and packing it for the kind of adventures I love, I’m really enjoying how much thought has gone into the design. For me, a good backpack isn't just about how many litres it can carry — it's about how comfortably and practically it carries everything you need when you're miles from home.

Because when your home is on your back, you want a backpack you can trust.

24/08/2026

I need to hike 14km

What about you?

Tell me in the comments and tag you beste with a long name🤣😂

POV: You joined a hike for the views… and stayed for the people.Every second Saturday of the month, I get to lace up my ...
24/08/2026

POV: You joined a hike for the views… and stayed for the people.

Every second Saturday of the month, I get to lace up my boots and head out with the Columbia Hike Society — and honestly, it’s something I look forward to every month.

This time, we explored Die Bosveld in Pretoria, and what a beautiful day it was to be outside. The trails, the sunshine, the conversations and, most importantly, the people made it another one to remember.

One of my favourite things about these hikes is seeing familiar faces again. Over the months, I’ve built friendships with people I might never have crossed paths with otherwise. You start with a simple “hello” on the trail, and before you know it, you’re catching up like old friends at the next hike.

And I think that’s what makes the Columbia Hike Society so special.
It creates a space where everyone can simply show up, be themselves, meet like-minded people and enjoy the outdoors together. No matter your experience, your pace or whether you arrive knowing someone or knowing absolutely nobody — there’s a place for you on the trail.

Because sometimes getting outdoors isn’t just about the distance you walk or the summit you reach.
It’s about the people you meet along the way.

Here’s to more trails, more conversations, new friendships and more reasons to get outside.

See you on the next one. 12 September at Shelter Rock.

18/08/2026

GIVEAWAY ALERT

Do you want to conquer the Montagu Giants with me? I’ve teamed up with Cape Mountains Guides to bring you a giveaway worth R17k for 2 lucky people!

You’ve done the Caminos.
You’ve conquered your local peaks.
You’ve logged more km’s than couch time.

So what’s next?

Meet The Montagu Giants.

Three days. Three iconic peaks. One unforgettable experience in the heart of the Klein Karoo.

This isn’t about racing to the top or ticking off another hike. It’s about slowing down, reflecting, breathing deeply, sharing stories, waking up to mountain views, and discovering what you’re capable of.

We’ve taken care of the details:
🏔️ 3 iconic hikes
🛏️ Luxury accommodation
🍽️ All meals included

How to Enter:

- follow Cape Mountain Guides and 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐢𝐬 | 𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬
- Tag the person you want to share this adventure with
- Like this post and share to your stories

-Giveaway ends on 4 September 2026
-Winner will be announced on 7 September 2026
-All competition guidelines must be adhered to.
-Winners must be based in South Africa.
-This giveaway is not affiliated or endored by Meta.
-Prize are not interchangeable for cash.
-T & C apply

You don’t need a 5-day hike to become a better hiker. Day hikes are seriously underrated.They build your navigation skil...
13/08/2026

You don’t need a 5-day hike to become a better hiker.

Day hikes are seriously underrated.
They build your navigation skills, confidence, fitness and decision-making without needing to carry your entire house on your back.

And sometimes, the best adventures are the ones where you leave early, hike hard, discover something incredible… and still sleep in your own bed that night.
But remember: light doesn’t mean unprepared.

What’s one thing day hiking has taught you that you now use on bigger adventures?

👇 I want to hear yours.

Address

Johannesburg

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Explore With Francois posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Explore With Francois:

Shortcuts

Share

Category