Rim of Africa is an unbroken length of long, rugged lines of wild peaks and valleys, stretching some 760km from the Cederberg in the north-west, to the Outeniqua foothills in the east. This unique traverse forms the south-western rim of the African continent.
We have divided the route into 9 spectacular traverses, varying between 7 and 10 days each.
The consecutive days of walking are challenging, as we hike through thick vegetation, over rough rocks, and along old trails, in varying weather, sometimes extreme. This is why we hike just once a year: to take advantage of the best weather window in the Cape seasons.
While we hike far, it is not about distance covered or the fastest time, but we do move at a pace that demands good fitness and an enthusiasm for adventure, albeit with time for relaxed lunches, viewpoints and swims.
Over nearly two decades, we have explored and crafted a multi-day hike that spans the Cape Fold Mountain range. Each year‘s traverse brings a few subtle route changes, some of necessity and others celebrating new discoveries.
We call our route “walking the line”, and it has become one of the world’s finest hiking adventures. Whilst we have a special community of experienced Rim of Africa guides, all involved sense the magic of the line as its seems to guide us through these extraordinary mountains and landscapes.
The Rim of Africa line consists of nine connected traverses, each with their own distinctive character. From the orange Sandstone peaks of the Cederberg in the North-west, to the Outeniqua foothills in the east.
Take a look at each traverse below. Note the dates of each section and apply for your place.
Your adventure begins on-trail with breathtaking views of the highlights of the Cederberg from North to South. This classifies as the definitive traverse of the Cederberg, from Pakhuis to Middelberg Pass. Two Classics!
Highlights: This ranks as a classic traverse, the Cederberg is a remarkable wilderness area of rock formations, caves, rock pools and incredible vistas. A rugged terrain with rich biodiversity. This is one of the easier traverses and ideal to get into Rim of Africa way of hiking.
Duration: 8 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, good trails and some off-trail hiking.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Fairly Strenuous. Two main climbs to ascend and one off-path day.
Distance: ±90km
Fee: ZAR 8900 application and costs
One of our most loved sections as we enter private land that takes us up some of the region’s most remarkable peaks. You will be forgiven for thinking you are in the Drakensberg. A tough day or two followed by a gentle descent to camp on the last day.
Highlights: Discover the real gems of the Kouebokkeveld, remarkable rock formations, secret valleys, towering peaks and views you never imagined possible in the western Cape.
Duration: 7 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, peak ascents, all off-path, technical.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Distance: ± 60km
Fee: ZAR 8250 application and costs
The Skurweberg traverse travels southwards following the giant Witzenberg range to the deciduous fruit capital of Ceres. It is a mix of unexpected terrain including beautiful ridge-line tracks and occasional crossings of farmlands and cooling pine forests.
Highlights: The rock pools on day one will never be forgotten. A tough yet inspiring traverse over the Skurweberge, crossing the Atlantic/Indian ocean watershed line and along the Witzenberg down to Ceres.
Duration: 7 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, on and off-path.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Distance: ± 76km
Fee: ZAR 8250 application and costs
A unique opportunity to traverse the formidable Hex River Mountains. While there is a standard route used by others, we have access to private land allowing us to pass the summit of Milner Peak ( 6,545ft/1995m) before descending through a massive boulder scree into the iconic Milner Amphitheatre with its Garden of Eden lawns and free falling waterfall. This is one of the most magical locations on the line. The line continues up a steep ascent, onto mountain tops swathed in fynbos with incredible views. These eventually lead us into the Klein Karoo where we sleep alongside crystal clear deep rock pools amidst dramatic river scenery.
Highlights: With almost 2000m altitude, this traverse reaches the highest point along the Rim of Africa. It includes incredible off-path hiking with a technical boulderous descent into the Hex River Valley. Sleeping in the shade of a vast amphitheatre.
Duration: 8 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, off-path, technical.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Distance: ± 92km
Fee: ZAR 8900 application and costs
The ultimate ridge-line hike along the Langeberg (which translates as The Long Mountain), from the Koo Valley to Montagu. Experience the thrill of walking in the sky, as we navigate vegetated and rocky ridges with panoramic views, as far as the Indian ocean.
NOTE – the end of Traverse 5 includes a full REST DAY for Thru-Hikers and anyone hiking 5 and 6 consecutively.
Highlights: This traverse is out of this world – literally. Great fusion of hiking and scrambling through protea and mountain fynbos with incredible views for days on end.
Duration: 7 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, off-path, technical.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Distance: ± 75km
Fee: ZAR 8250 application and costs
Our longest traverse, from the historical gem of Montagu, with a first day Camino style hike before discovering first camp in the shadow of a spectacular gorge. We boulder hike up this river to a magnificent pool and then along exposed ridge-line scrambles. The following days followed the Marloth Reserve’s hiking trails. The camp in the heather fields with the sun setting below us is an iconic Rim of Africa location. Another icon on this traverse is the night in a large cave overlooking Marloth reserve. A few days later the line follows a superb boulderous descent, ending next morning with a fabulous breakfast in the quaint Klein Karoo village of Barrydale.
Highlights: Classic Cape Fold mountain formations from the get go. Exceptional array of fynbos flora, some of the best in the Western Cape. Vista of historical villages.
Duration: 10 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, mix of on & off-path.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Distance: ± 115km
Fee: ZAR 9600 application and costs
A perfectly laid out traverse from Barrydale through Grootvadersbosch nature reserve via one of the best ridge line scrambles down into Gysmanshoek, with black Cuckoos calling. A stunning day of traversing in colourful fynbos past the famous Sleeping Beauty peak, ends at a very special campsite along a chuckling river in an ancient forest. This traverse ends in the famous Garcia Pass outside Riversdale.
Highlights: The fynbos splendour of Grootvadersbosch and Boosmansbos, Fields of white Helichrysum blossoms and crystal clear pools at most camps; exceptional ridge lines and abandoned trails above remote protea and fynbos covered valleys.
Duration: 7 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, on & off-path.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Distance: ± 82km
Fee: ZAR 8250 application and costs
The line follows the final stretch of Langeberg, through hidden valleys with glowing fynbos covered slopes, and crossing trading routes of days long past. It continues on via exposed ascents along high peaks, before dipping down through green pastures and crossing the sometimes challenging Gouritz river.
Highlights: The solitude of the eastern end of the Langeberg with its sparkling streams and protea forested passes. Unique. These mountain peaks provide grand views of the Swartberg range to the north and the Indian ocean 50km away to the south.
Duration: 8 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, on & off-path, technical.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Distance: ± 78km
Fee: ZAR 8900 application and costs
This final traverse takes you on old farm tracks and hiking trails through the foothills of the Attakwas mountains and crossing Robinson pass and Doringrivier Nature Reserve ending on the Outeniqua pass North of George.
Highlights: Hiking through the delightful rolling hills of the Attakwas, ascending Jurie se Berg, with a final meander up the Doringrivier valley beneath the towering Engelse berg. Camping near bubbling mountain streams and rock pools.
Duration: 8 days
Terrain: Mountainous, gradual slopes mainly on and some off-path.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Fairly Strenuous
Distance: ± 94km
Fee: ZAR 8900 application and costs
The ultimate experience, a nine week long immersion in nature, hiking high ridgelines, descending through remote valleys, traversing along hidden long forgotten paths, from the Cederberg in the north-west to the Outeniqua in the East. This challenge is not to be underestimated. It has only a single rest day, and is both an extremely tough physical and psychological challenge. .
Highlights: Endless ridge lines, rock formations, crystal clear spring water, swimming in mountain pools, sleeping under the stars.
Experienced and knowledgeable mountain guides. Breathtaking vistas, crossing the Cape Floral Kingdom, afromontane forests, leopard tracks and game spotting. Proteas and bird life. Rock paintings, thoughts, impressions, blisters and pain, laughter and tears, friends, memories and personal transformation.
Duration: 62 days
Distance: +/- 760km
Fee: ZAR 77500 application and costs
