Traverse the Cape Mountains in 2024

24 September - 23 November

2024 Season is open, and places are limited

COSTS

The fee is between R8,250 and R9,600 per traverse, based upon number of days in the mountains which includes a R2,500 non-refundable deposit per traverse.

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.

Hiking fees do not include transfers: currently that is an additional R1,100.

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.

And 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 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 made available at the start of every Traverse and your own pre-packed food being made available at food drop 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 most food drop points you can off-load trash, restock your food, and pick up fresh gear / clothing if you are doing more than one Traverse).
2 x Professional Mountain Guides 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 resupply bags are delivered and trash removed.
The knowledge that your donation is being used responsibly.
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.

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.
Cooking stove: you need to have your own stove for cooking or team up with another hiker and share.
Tents: we have a limited supply of MSR Hubba tents for rent on a first-come-first-served basis.

Apply today as places are limited and the traverses sell out quickly.

PREPARATION HIKES

We offer two preparation hikes before the start of the traverse. Even for experienced hikers, these are important to familiarise yourself with technical off-path hiking and the correct gear you will need to enjoy the Rim of Africa, find out if this experience is really for you, and learn from our experienced guides.

SPONSORED PLACES

We offer several partially sponsored places for enthusiasts such as students, pensioners, or others who need financial support at R1,100 all-inclusive per traverse. Details are in the application form. Ts and Cs apply. Apply here for a sponsored place.

RIM OF AFRICA PROJECTS & FUNDRAISING

We encourage all hikers to support Rim of Africa’s community projects through a donation in addition to the above participation costs. If each hiker donates R1,000 to R10,000 per section, we can continue to support projects in 2024 and beyond.

MINIMUM GROUP SIZE

Apply today as places are limited and the traverses sell out quickly.

There is a minimum number of participants required to register before we can confirm a traverse will take place.