Welcome to Rim of Africa
The Rim of Africa is not a trail. It is a story and a journey. A traverse on foot through the wild of the Cape Mountains. It is also a non-profit organisation and public benefit trust which:
- Supports matric students on the Wild Nights Out to connect with their dreams and visions through facilitated mountain wilderness trails.
- Funds rural farm children to access educational experiences in the Cape Mountains, to learn about nature first-hand.
- Provides free use of hiking gear on an application basis to anyone who needs it, through Gear for Good.
Beyond all our projects, we are simply in love with a long, rugged line of wild peaks and valleys, stretching some 650km from the Cederberg in the north, to the Outeniqua foothills in the east, forming the south-western rim of the African continent.
RIM OF AFRICA MOUNTAIN TRAVERSE
This demanding hike – our annual fundraising event, is a full traverse of the Cape Fold Mountains, and is divided into 9 stages each varying between 6 or 8 days in duration.
Join us for just one stage, a combination of stages, or all stages linked to make one journey called a Thru-Hike. The traverses for 2019 take place between 24 September and 19 November 2019.
WHY IT IS TOUGH
Some days will be very difficult or challenging as we walk through thick vegetation, over rough rocks and along old trails, in searing heat one moment and cold winds, or rain the next. It is not about distance covered, although we will hike far. It is not about any fastest known time, we take our time, but we also move at a pace that demands good fitness and enthusiasm for adventure.
WHAT IT TAKES
The Rim of Africa route is suited for experienced and fit hikers, who are looking for a different and meaningful hiking experience. We are not offering a packaged or tame adventure. We are experienced mountain guides in love with these wild places. We are there for navigation and safety with support and knowledge. You are responsible for your own food and preparation, while we supply tents and expertise. Read the FAQs here.
WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT
Because we only live once, and experiences count. Besides, mountains are a beautiful wild refuge where the journey of our life takes on new meanings.
Prepare in advance, train, and know your own abilities and limitations before applying and you will get the most from this unique opportunity. Please note our terms and conditions. You are invited to apply and join us for the 2019 traverse.
About
Why
Who
How
Why am I walking here on this high mountain of experience? Why am I walking here where the sharp jagged edge of attaining this place has out-worn my weary limbs? What am I doing here cradled above the free-falling stream where small, high-pitched discomforts flutter among the thick vegetation like bird song, perch momentarily and then are lost within the low dense entanglement of diversity?
All that is up here feeds on this mountain. Even each delicately red Erica, each patch of damp, green moss, each brightly spirited sunbird and each pool of silent water.
We are not tourist guides or mountain guides in the traditional sense. We are people who have grown competent in our love for these mountains. We are not offering a packaged, tame experience. We are inviting you to embrace the Rim of Africa ethos and to join us, if that inspires you. We believe in the power of these mountains for good.
We have long wondered: How can we truly share the Rim of Africa experience? We have tried different things. We are learning. We are exploring. This is an experience, and one we all cherish each time we walk it.
The Rim of Africa happens once a year in springtime. Places on this experience are limited. We invite you to apply for one of these places. The Rim of Africa is not for economic profit. But there is a cost. We strive to include people from diverse economic backgrounds, and so costs are based at varying tiers for you to choose an appropriate level of support. We make some donor funded places available.
If there is a space for you this year, you can join the Rim of Africa community, starting your thread of the story at Pakhuis in the Cederberg. You choose how much of the journey you want to hike. You may choose to hike multiple years in a row, slowly completing each of the 8 stages of the route.
It’s that simple.
Route
Although the route we follow is generally the same each year, as this is a wild traverse much of it is off-path and so we vary our journey as required. This is the allure and appeal of the Rim of Africa as a mountain experience – it is always different.
Take a look at each traverse offering below. Note the dates of each section and apply for your place.
Traverse 1 - Cederberg
A classic on trail section with unique views and taking in the highlights of the Cederberg from north to south This classifies as a classic traverse of the entire Cederberg.
Highlights: 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 suitable for all levels of hiking fitness.
Duration: 7 days
Traverse 2 - Kouebokkeveld
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 traverse 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: 6 days
Traverse 3 - Skurweberge
Skurweberg is full of unexpected dimensions. A mixture of off-path and beautiful ridge-line track.
Highlights: The rock pools on day one will never be forgotten. A tough yet inspiring traverse over the Skurweberge, crossing the Atlantic/Indian ocean water shed line and along the Witzenberg down to Ceres
Duration: 7 days
Traverse 4 - Hex River
A unique opportunity to traverse the formidable Hex River Mountains. Vast amphitheaters of rock and rich vegetation with extensive views.
Highlights: This section traverse is one of everyone’s favourites. It includes incredible hiking off-path with a technical descent into the Hex River Valley. Sleeping in the shade of a vast amphitheatre with a waterfall shower. And second steep ascent with incredible scenery and rich Fynbos eventually lead us into the Klein Karoo and its gems.
Duration: 8 days
Traverse 5 - Langeberg
The ultimate ridge-line hike, from the Koo Valley to Montagu. Experience the thrill of walking in the sky, as we navigate well vegetated ridges and extensive views, on a clear day as far as the ocean.
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
Traverse 6 - Marloth
Starting in the historical architectural gem of Montagu, with an initial ridge-line hike that makes way to a superb contour path with views over the vast Klein Karoo. Ending in the nature reserve of the Grootvadersbosch.
Highlights: Classic cape fold mountain formations from word go. Exceptional array of fynbos flora, some of the best in the Western cape. Vista of historical villages
Duration: 8 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, mix of on & off-path.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Traverse 7 - Grootvadersbosch
From the Tradouw River through the Grootvadersbosch nature reserve via exceptional ridge line down into the Gysmankloof and past the famous Sleeping Beauty ending outside Riversdale.
Highlights: The indigenous forests of Grootvaders- and Bosmansbosch, an exceptional ridge line and forgotten trails through remote protea covered valleys.
Duration: 7 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, on & off-path.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Traverse 8 - Gouritz
Following the final stretch of Langeberg from Garcia’s to Cloete Pass, through hidden valleys fynbos covered slopes, crossing trading routes of days gone past. Ascending high mountains, passing green pastures and wading across the Gourits river.
Highlights: The remoteness of the East end of the Langeberg with its crystal-clear streams and protea covered passes. Unique mountain tops with views of Swartberg to the North and the Indian ocean just 50km south.
Duration: 8 days
Terrain: Mountainous, some steep gradients, on & off-path.
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: Strenuous
Traverse 9 - Outeniqua
From Cloete Pass, this final traverse takes you on old farm tracks through the foot hills of the Attakwas mountains and via Robinson pass and Ruitersbos nature reserve ending in the southern Outeniqua mountains West of George.
Highlights: The rolling “hills” of the Attakwas & Outeniqua Mountains know to the early Portuguese explores: Serra de Estrella (Mountain of the Star). Rugged mountain top in the Outeniqua.
Duration: 7 days
Terrain: Mountainous, gradual slopes mainly on and some off-path hiking
Camps: Wild camping, bucket washes, no fires.
Hiking Grade: medium
Thru-Hike
Experienced and knowledgeable mountain guides. Breath-taking 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: 56 days
Distance: +/- 650 km
Questions and Answers
It is. . .
All those who have experienced the Rim of Africa attest to its potency. It is about immersion. In wild beauty. In serenity. In well-being. In discomfort. It is exhausting and restful. It is about height and depth, about silence and dialogue, about solitude and connecting.
It is about wandering and wondering. It is enlivening, invigorating, tranquil and surprising. It is soulful, sweaty, serene and scratchy. It is spectacular and poetic. It is not really a hike.
It is an act of love. It is unhurried. It endures.
Application and Costs
Entries for the 2019 season are open – and yes, places are limited.
IT IS OUR TENTH BIRTHDAY!
To celebrate we are offering every traverse section at 50% off the standard cost. So if you have been thinking about hiking Rim of Africa – this is the year to sign-up.
WHAT IT COSTS IN 2019
R395 per day + R2,000 non-refundable deposit per section.
Coordinating an annual traverse of the Cape Mountains over 600km of wild terrain, takes a lot of organising.
We can go into all the detail about what it costs to convene such an epic experience as this, to give you an idea here are just some of the things our team works on all year round to make it possible:
- Access agreements and camping permits – are not free.
- 2 Professional Guides – guides are a requirement by some of our private landowners.
- Communications – helping you plan.
- Insurance – oh yes, it’s advisable.
- Medical supplies & satellite phone – for the unexpected.
- Logistics, food drops, resupply service and transfers to the start and back to Cape Town – takes some planning.
- Team of Organisers – 12 months of work to arrange the above and support website, financials, bookings, projects, etc.
And when we divide all of that by the small groups on each traverse, it comes to a daily rate of R395 per person + a R2,000 non-refundable deposit per section or a total of just R4,765 per average traverse.
RIM OF AFRICA PROJECTS & FUNDRAISING
We encourage all hikers to support Rim of Africa’ s core give-back projects, by making a donation in addition to the above participation costs. If each hiker makes a donation of between R800 – R1,200 per section, we can continue to support the following projects in 2019:
- Wild Nights Out– supporting Matric students to connect across boundaries and reach into their future.
- Farm & Rural School Kids in Nature – supporting local children along the Rim of Africa route to get into the outdoors.
- Gear for Good – addressing the urgent need for many communities to access gear for hiking & the outdoors.
NOTES
Minimum Group Size
There is a minimum number of participants required to register before we can confirm a traverse will take place – so get your friends to sign-up with you.
Sponsored Places
We offer 2 supported places which are partially sponsored, for enthusiasts such as students, pensioners or others who need financial support at R950 all inclusive per traverse. Details in the application form. Terms and Conditions apply. Apply here for a sponsored place.
PREPARATION HIKES
We offer two preparation hikes for hikers. These are an important opportunity to familiarise yourself with technical off-path hiking and the correct gear you will need to successfully enjoy the Rim of Africa. Find out if this experience is really for you. Learn from our experienced guides on these weekends.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Months of preparations by a small dedicated part-time team who obtain access permission from more than 200 different landowners, answer any questions you may have leading up to the event, work to prepare logistics and coordinate transfers, scout new sections of the route, and on it goes. We are amazed ourselves how much it takes to get a group of people into remote mountains.
- Logistics support ( this involves your extra gear and your own pre-packed food being made available at resupply points on days 3, 4 or 5 depending on each section. This allows for your pack to be lighter than would be the case otherwise. At each resupply point you can off-load trash, restock your food, and pick up fresh gear / clothing).
- Amo-boxes for storing gear and your pre-packed food.
- 2 x Route Leaders per traverse.
- All access permits + conservation fees.
- All overnight camping fees.
- Medical emergency pack, emergency satellite phone & GPS.
- Indemnity insurance for any damage inadvertently caused to private property.
- A small dedicated team taking care of everything along the route for you, ensuring your re-supply boxes are delivered and trash removed.
- The knowledge that your donation is being used responsibly.
- Special and memorable Rim of Africa gifts from the trail.
- An experience that will live on long after we reach the end of any stage, memories of wide open places, silence, pleasure, achievement, some pain and loads of good companionship. It will be tough, beautiful and amazing.
NOT INCLUDED
Rim of Africa is for those of us who enjoy the experience of preparing for an 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.
- Cooking stoves – You need to have your own stove for cooking or team up with another hiker and share.
- Tents – We have a limited supply of FREE tents on a first come first served basis, so sign-up early.
Apply today as places are limited and the more popular traverses sell out quickly.
JOURNAL + IMAGE GALLERY
In 2012 a National Geographic Young Explorer, Jay Simpson, completed the first Thru-Hike of the rim of Africa route. Read his entertaining, informative and fun blog posts below.
View some of the many images taken by hikers over the years.
Bookings: +27 84 712 5564 – Stefanie
Emergencies: +27 84 712 5564 – Stefanie
Non-Profit Trust: +27 83 261 7960 – Ivan
