About Rim of Africa Hike
Start: Clanwilliam
Finish: George (or anywhere in between)
Duration: 56 days, 650 km
Fitness: super fit
Our tip: Rim of Africa holds an annual Summer Escape into the mountains for matriculants who have just completed exams; a time for discovery, slowing down and reflection...
The longest mountain traverse of its kind in Africa, the Rim of Africa is set to position South Africa, and the Cape, as one of the world's most desired hiking destinations.
Designed by Galeo Saintz and Ivan Groenhof this epic trail is a hikers' paradise – linking existing trails across the Cape mountains through multiple CapeNature reserves and 180 private properties between the Cederberg and the Outeniqua mountains.
The initiative links trails to conservation and involves local communities by training 'nature champions'. Rim of Africa is a not-for-profit public benefit trust and civil society organisation that works to support landowners, local conservation groups and to build a community of custodians, in cooperation with CapeNature, for the Cape mountains.
In all there are nine traverses that make up the the full Rim of Africa Route. All of them are aimed at fit and experienced hikers who are after a deep wilderness experience. How you walk the route is entirely up to you. You can do only one traverse, or link a few of them together.
Each traverse averages 7 days and covers between 60km and 100km. There are group dates that you can join on the rimofafrica.org website.
Traverse 1 – Cederberg (Cederberg to Middleberg Pass) is a guided hike of 50 km over mountainous terrain camping wild with buckets washes. It is one of the easier traverses and suitable for all levels of fitness.
Traverse 2 – Kouebokkeveld (Middleberg Pass to Onderboschkloof) is a strenuous hike that explores the secret valleys and towering peaks of the Kouebokkeveld whilst wild camping with bucket washes and no fires.
Traverse 3 – Agerwitzenberg (Onderboschkloof to Ceres) is ridge-line walking through mountainous terrain. Highlights include the rock pools on the first day and the ascent of Slab Peak.
Traverse 4 – Hex River (Ceres to Simonskloof) is seven days through the Hex River Mountains that includes hiking off-path and sleeping in the shade of a vast amphitheatre. This is a fairly strenuous hike.
Traverse 5 – Langeberg (Simonskloof to Montagu) is described as the 'ultimate ridge-line hike'. A strenuous 8 days over ridges is a challenge, with views that are out of this world.
Traverse 6 – Marloth Ridge (Montagu to Grootvadersbosch) takes in the vast views across the Boland and into the Klein Karoo. Seven days using different skills – path walking, off-path walking, mountainous terrain until, finally, entering the indigenous forest.
Traverse 7 – Grootvadersbos (Grootvadersbosch to Garcia Pass) – heads into the mountains north of Riversdale. A strenuous mountain hike there is some off-path hiking and incredible views.
Traverse 8 – Gouritz River (Garcia Pass to Gouritz) – this hike heads closer to the Garden Route, exploring secret valleys, rock art and tough off-path hiking.
Traverse 9 – Outeniquas (Gouritz to Outeniqua) heads into remote valleys, across ridge-lines that feed into the Outeniqua mountains. Tthis shorter hike (5 days) is, nonetheless, strenuous.
Need to Know
WhereStart in Clanwilliam and finish in George (or anywhere in between), Cederberg / Western Cape
WhenBooking is essential.
How muchPrices on request.
Telephone+27 (0)82 888-8181
OvernightStay nearby in Clanwilliam, in Western Cape
Disclaimer
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Find Rim of Africa Hike in these collections
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options by proximity
* Distances shown are "as the crow flies", not driving distances. Please confirm with the establishment should driving distance be a factor in your decision.

Clanwilliam Hotel
Ensconced in the magical Oliphant’s River Valley, Clanwilliam Hotel is situated off the beaten track. Only two hour’s drive from Cape Town, the h...

Clanwilliam Lodge
Only two and a half hour's drive from Cape Town, Clanwilliam Lodge offers air-conditioned rooms of different styles - from standard rooms to a pr...

Elephant River Guest House
Choose from one of our comfortable, affordable chalets, all tastefully decorated. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom and a sunny stoep overlook...

Yellow Aloe Guesthouse
Yellow Aloe Guest House is an upmarket, country-chic space born out of a love for the countryside and the town of Clanwilliam in particular. The ...

Leipoldt Accommodation
Leipoldt Accommodation offers two luxury, self catering apartments. Each unit sleeps a total of five guests in two bedrooms. One room is furnishe...

The Longhouse Guesthouse
The charming Longhouse Guesthouse is the ideal place from where to explore the village of Clanwilliam, the rugged beauty of the Cederberg or the ...

Saint Du Barrys
Saint du Barrys is a 4 star family owned and run lodge, with six en-suite rooms, all opening to the garden the centre of which is a huge wild fig...

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve
This Relais & Châteaux lodge is a wilderness sanctuary of timeless beauty, holistic healing, wellness, rich heritage and conservation. Discover a...

Ndedema Lodge
Situated in the village of Clanwilliam, Ndedema Lodge provides accommodation in five rooms. The establishment has a terrace, swimming pool and br...

Rondegat on Clanwilliam Dam
Relax in comfortable self catering cottages overlooking the scenic Clanwilliam Dam and majestic Cederberg. The comfy accommodation ranges from tw...

Klein Boschkloof Chalets
Klein Boschkloof, a lush green oasis and working farm s situated in the unspoilt Boskloof Valley which borders onto the Cederberg Wilderness area...

Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge
Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge offers accommodation with an authentic ambience of a modern African farmhouse. The warm and inviting interiors, ...

Boskloof Swemgat
The farm Boskloof Swemgat is situated in the Boskloof valley, a magnificent unspoiled area, bordering on the Cederberg Wilderness Area. The accom...

Lebanon Citrus Resort
A quiet and peaceful small private resort consisting of a self catering cottage and 3 self catering rondawels all situated on the water's edge. ...

De Pakhuys
Nestled in the picturesque Agter-Pakhuis Valley, 26 km from Clanwilliam, you will find De Pakhuys Guest Farm, offering a choice of four self-cate...

Alpha Excelsior Campsite
Situated in Clanwilliam, Alpha Excelsior Campsite offers comfortable accommodation for up to 16 guests in total. Guests are able to swim in the d...

Alpha Excelsior Guest Farm
Alpha Excelsior Guest farm is situated in the heart of the Cederberg Mountains, in a secluded area of natural beauty near Clanwilliam. The area i...

Kleinfontein
Kleinfontein offers a warm farm-like ambiance and basic self catering in two quaint units in the Clanwilliam area just after the Pakhuis Pass. Kl...

Lylius Cottage
Lylius Cottage offers accommodation on a Rooibos tea farm, within Clanwilliam. Guests are able to walk through the rooibos tea fields. Here guest...


Enjo Nature Farm
You will find Enjo Nature Farm far from the main tourist tracks in the wild and unspoiled Biedouw Valley of the Cederberg Mountains. The Valley i...
Other things to do in the area

Cederberg Wilderness Trail
Start: near ClanwilliamEmphasis: forge your own routeDuration: 1 - 7 days following woodcutters' paths at willFitness: for the hardy hikerOur tip...

Rooibos Teahouse
Clanwilliam, a small town in the Cederberg, is a firm favourite for its unique character and its history. This area may be quiet and understated ...

The Khoisan Kitchen
The Khoisan Kitchen is situated on the banks of the Brandewyn River, and is based on the Rock Art Trail through the Cederberg. Specialising in tr...

Olifantshuis Restaurant
A family restaurant, run by head chef Jaco Slabbert, Olifantshuis is located in an old manor house, dripping with country character and boere cha...

Reinholds Restaurant
The town of Clanwilliam may be tiny, but there is no shortage of charm and quality when it comes to dining out. Reinhold’s is an acclaimed restau...

Nancy's Tea Room
Nancy’s Tea Room is a hub of surprises, hidden in the sleepy mountain village of Clanwilliam. It is unlike anything else, and certainly does not ...

Pakhuis Trail
Start: Pakhuis PassFinish: Pakhuis PassDuration: 3 nights, 4 days, 40 kmFitness: moderate to difficult; whilst there is no scrambling involved th...

Clanwilliam Museum
Step into Clanwillliam's old jail, built in 1808 and discover more about the history of the area including the inhabitants of the San and the Roo...

Velskoendraai Farmer's Market & Restaurant
Located at the entrance to Clanwilliam in the Cederberg on a citrus farm, Velskoendraai is recommended to all visitors as a must-visit. Famous fo...
Noteworthy attractions

Pakhuis Conservancy
Set on the northern edge of the Cederberg Wilderness area, roughly 300 kilometres from Cape Town and close to the town of Clanwilliam, the Pakhui...

Ramskop Nature Reserve
The Cederberg has some of the most incredible wild flowers during the flower season that usually happens around August/September. Particularly fo...

Katbakkies Pass
Katbakkies Pass has what is commonly known as a descriptive name. Others in the area include Houdenbek and Skitterykloof - although Skitterykloof...

Peerboomskloof Pass
Peerboomskloof Pass, where the Karoo meets the Koue Bokkeveld, is also sometimes called Skitterykloof or Katbakkies, particularly by birding fana...


Theronsberg Pass
The Theronsberg Pass is one of four ways in which to reach the Ceres valley. Others include Michell's Pass from Cape Town (N1, R43, R46), Gydo Pa...

Swaarmoed Pass
The Swaarmoed Pass lies in the Matroosberg just outside of the town of Ceres. Like the town, it is well known for snow in winter – if not on the ...

Bushmanskloof Wilderness
Bushmanskloof Wilderness, lying in the northern Cederberg wilderness roughly 270 kilometres from Cape Town, is a South African Natural Heritage S...

Nieuwoudt Pass
The Nieuwoudt Pass is a dirt road that occurs roughly halfway between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam, off the N7. It is actually an alternative route ...
Accommodation convenient to Rim of Africa Hike
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation / Olifants River Valley Accommodation / Cederberg Accommodation / Clanwilliam Accommodation