Traverse the Cape Mountains in 2026

24 September - 23 November

2026 Season is open for bookings.

COSTS

The fee is between R9,030 and R10,550 per traverse, based upon number of days in the mountains which includes a R2,500 non-refundable deposit per traverse. Annual cost increases are effective from 1st January.

Coordinating an annual traverse of the Cape Mountains over 760km of wild terrain is no small undertaking. This includes access agreements and camping permits, 2 professional mountain guides per traverse, communications to help you plan, insurance for peace of mind, medical supplies, satellite phone and Garmin GPS – for the unexpected.

Your hiking fee includes all logistics, food drops and resupply service. The logistics support involves your own pre-packed food being made available at food drop points on days 3, 4 or 5 depending on each traverse. This allows for your pack to be lighter on-trail. At most food drop points you can off-load trash and restock your food.

Above all, you will have an experience that will live on long after we reach the end of any traverse, memories of wide-open places, silence, pleasure, achievement, some pain, and loads of good companionship. It will be tough, beautiful and amazing.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Rim of Africa is for those of us who enjoy the experience of extended time in the mountains. The following is not included in the cost:

Food: you need to bring and pre-pack all your own food. This is great as it means you get to eat exactly what you love and can plan your meals according to your energy needs and preferences.
Hiking fees do not include transfers: currently that is an additional R550 each way.
Cooking: you need to have your own stove and pot for cooking or team up with another hiker and share. Be sure to have sufficient fuel for each leg of the Traverse/s.
Tents: we have a limited supply of MSR Hubba tents for rent on a first-come-first-served basis. It is fully advised that you do carry a tent that is suitable for a high mountain traverse.

Apply today as places are limited and the traverses you wish to walk may be full (max 12pp).

TRAINING HIKES

We organise guided weekend training hikes before the start of the traverse itself. These are important to familiarise yourself with the level of off-path hiking and the correct gear you will need to enjoy your Rim of Africa Traverse/s, This is useful to find out if this experience is really for you. Where you are unable to attend a pre-season hike, and have not previously completed a Traverse we may suggest an alternative preparation and selection process, in the interests of your safety and enjoyment of the mountains.

In 2026 the dates of the training Hikes are as follows:

Training Weekend 1 : Fri Mar 06 – Sun Mar 08

Training Weekend 2 : Sat Apr 25 – Mon Apr 27

Training Weekend 3 : Fri May 01 – Sun May 03

Training Weekend 4 : Sun Jun 13 – Mon Jun 15

Venues t.b.c. But likely to be Simonskloof (in the Koo Valley), Groot Winterhoek, Table Mountain and Barrydale in that order.

SPONSORED PLACES

We offer discounts and sponsored places where our standard rates are not affordable. Please complete the standard Application form and state your requirement for sponsorship clearly. Sponsored and discounted places will be confirmed in July each year.

RIM OF AFRICA PROJECTS & FUNDRAISING

We invite all hikers to support Rim of Africa’s community and wilderness restoration projects through donations. If each hiker donates just 5% of their invoiced amounts we can make a serious difference to the paths, alien vegetation and community projects along the route.

GROUP SIZE

There is a minimum number of participants required to register before we can confirm a traverse will take place. Group size is limited to 12pp to ensure space to breathe, pitch your tent and a healthy guide ratio.

Apply today as places are limited and the traverses regularly get booked out.