Walk with Dinosaurs

Clarens, Free State

In the Footsteps of Giants

Clarens Guide Nico Els Brings Dino Trails to Life

As dawn breaks over Clarens’ golden sandstone cliffs, local tour guide Nico Els prepares to lead another group into the past. Els, a Free State native and FGASA-certified field guide, knows these mountains “like the back of his hand,” according to hikers. With a career built on passion, he has become the go-to expert for trekking the Eastern Free State’s famed Dinosaur Trails. Visitors join him to literally walk in the tracks of prehistoric giants – an adventure that is equal parts science lesson and storybook journey.

Walking with Dinosaurs in the Free State

Els’s specialty is a guided hike that follows fossilized dinosaur footprints preserved in the sandstone near Clarens. The excursion typically begins with an engaging primer on the region’s geology and palaeontology, where he shows off fossils from ancient claws to fern leaves. Armed with this context, hikers venture to an ancient riverbed turned “trackway” to see and even follow the actual footprints of dinosaurs from over 200 million years ago. It’s a thrilling opportunity to time-travel on foot.

“Dino hunting” is best done up in the sandstone cliffs with a good guide to point out the signs of life before us, and Els delivers exactly that. In fact, the whole area boasts one of South Africa’s richest troves of dinosaur fossils – from nests and eggs to some of the oldest known dinosaur embryos– underscoring the significance of the trails he treads.

Weaving History, Culture and Adventure

What sets Nico Els apart is how he enriches each hike with local history and cultural lore. On one trek, he might lead visitors through hidden sandstone tunnels once used as hideouts during the Anglo-Boer War, connecting the landscape to more recent human history. On another, he’ll point out a Sotho name of a peak or share a Basotho legend as casually as he identifies a fossil. He often incorporates stops at heritage sites, where travellers learn about the region’s people dating back to the 16^th century.

By blending natural wonders with human stories, Els creates tours that feel personal and immersive rather than just guided walks. Community ties are key – he’s even one of the few guides authorized to escort hikers up iconic Mount Horeb, the towering guardian of Clarens village.

Through it all, Nico Els remains a humble storyteller. He is frequently described as both “knowledgeable and passionate” by those who trek alongside him. One recent visitor wrote that they returned from “an amazing hiking experience” led by Els, marvelling at how he unveiled “dinosaurs, embryos and footprints” hidden in the hills around Clarens.

For this veteran guide, every hike is a chance to share the Eastern Free State’s natural and cultural heritage – from primeval Jurassic footprints to tales of pioneers – ensuring that each step on the trail is rooted in a deeper understanding of the land. With Nico Els at the helm, a simple hike becomes a journey through time, leaving tourists with not just photos, but a newfound appreciation for the treasures of Clarens.

Note

Please note that this hike can be booked at any time of the year, just inquire for available date.
Min of 8
Max of 12
Your bags will be transported to the next accommodation.