Woman Shows Off “Hawaii-Like” Spot in South Africa with Video
- A South African woman shares an Instagram Reel of the Otter Trail in the Eastern Cape that has hikers talking
- The reel shows cliffside stairs, turquoise waters, waterfalls, and forest paths, giving viewers a quick taste of the route
- People fill the comments with praise for booking struggles, location questions, and bucket list dreams
On September 8, 2025, a South African woman shares an Instagram Reel of the Otter Trail in the Eastern Cape. Hiking creator Linda Viljoen adds the words “You found Hawaii in South Africa” over the video.
Source: UGC
The Reel shows off some of the views that make the Otter Trail such a popular hike. The caption reads:
“Nothing beats the iconic Otter Trail #hike #hiking #southafrica #hawai.”
The video starts with a hiker going down steep stairs on a green hillside while waves smash against dark rocks below. The ocean comes through in deep blue tones that give the clip a tropical feel. As the Reel continues, it jumps between waterfalls, forest paths, sandy beaches and rugged coastal cliffs. There’s even a moment where someone dives into a pool at the base of a waterfall.
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From river and forest crossings to rocky shoreline and a quiet shelter at sunset, the clip gives viewers a quick taste of different parts of the Otter Trail. Viljoen (@lindahikessouthafrica) often posts similar hiking content from around the country on her Instagram page.
Otter Trail’s coastline in the spotlight
Even though the Reel uses the words “Hawaii in South Africa” on screen, the spotlight stays on the Otter Trail in the Eastern Cape. The video and comments point out the steep coastal cliffs, forest paths, waterfalls and beaches that stand out to hikers, with some even calling it “the most beautiful trail in Mzansi”.
The Instagrammer @gorata_ mentions how busy it is, saying "the next available booking date is June 2026". The Reel becomes another example of how South Africans share local hikes online and how others react in the comments.
Source: UGC
Internet users react to Otter Trail views
Instagram’s comment section comes alive as people share how they feel about the trail.
User @manyistella keeps it short and sweet:
"The most beautiful trail in Mzansi 😍".
Another hiker, @salome.vanderwesthuizen, feels the same:
"By far the most beautiful hike I ever did ❤️".
Some speak about how tough it is to get a booking.
@taryn.neu writes:
"Did it in 2023 and haven't managed to get a booking since! Magnificent 🔥".
@randomnature05 comments:
"Bucket list...."
Plenty of people just want more info. @virasha_mocktar asks:
"Location?"
And @candykduh wants the details:
"Who did you book through or did you do a self-guided tour?"
Not everyone is sold on the Hawaii angle, though. @34th_south shares a different opinion:
"What have this with Hawaii to do? What a pointless comparison"
The mix of praise, questions, booking stories, and debate shows how one short Reel about the Otter Trail gets people talking.
Watch the Instagram video below:
3 other stories for hiking and scenic views
- In one article, Briefly News reports on hikers battling strong winds on Lion’s Head in Cape Town, where gusts left them clinging to the mountain for safety.
- The publication also puts together a guide to 15 of the best hiking trails in South Africa, from mountain paths to coastal walks.
- In another story, Briefly News covers a British couple whose honeymoon hike on Platteklip Gorge ends in a rescue, with South Africans praising the rescue teams.
Source: Briefly News
