The ultimate goal might be to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. In any case, the undisputed winner of African climbing is that enormous country at the base finish of the mainland – South Africa.
The sheer volume of the country is one of its greatest assets. The worldwide climbing application AllTrails records more than 3,700 journeying trails and courses in South Africa contrasted with other top African traveling objections: Tanzania has 21 trails, Kenya has 20, Namibia has 33, and Morocco has 18.
South Africa additionally offers mind blowing assortment with regards to landscape and environment: trails that lead to the country’s one-of-a-kind fynbos landscapes, which feature Mediterranean-like vegetation and a high biodiversity and range from the coast to the mountains to the desert.
In general, South African trails are well-kept and marked. Many of them have huts for overnight hikers. While it’s positively conceivable to employ an aide, a large portion of them are Do-It-Yourself – simple to climb all alone with hardware that can be leased or bought at open air suppliers in Cape Town, Johannesburg and other huge urban communities.
The issue of flora comes in last but not least. Even though there are animals on every South African trail, the ones that are most dangerous to humans on foot—lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards—are mostly found in game reserves and national parks dedicated to wildlife.
Here are nine of the best multi-day backpacking trails in South Africa:
Otter Trail
South Africa’s most established (laid out in 1968) and most praised climbing course, the Otter Trail runs along the Eastern Cape coast between Tempests Stream Mouth and Nature’s Valley in Nursery Course Public Park.
The landscape changes from sandy strands and rough coastline to thick sea woods and bloom filled fynbos vegetation with its famous proteas. Sea lions, dolphins, blue duiker antelope, hyrax, and the cape clawless otters that give the trail its name are among the abundant birdlife.
Along the trail, there are four overnight camps with huts, showers, toilets, and braai (barbecue) areas. Only 12 hiking permits are available each day to safeguard the trail’s integrity and tranquility.
Distance: Around 45 kilometers (27 miles)
Time: 5 days
Mont-Aux-Sources
On a dangerous route that rises high above Thendele Royal Natal National Park in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, you can reach the top of the famous Drakensberg escarpment.
The hike is not very long in terms of miles, but there are times when chain ladders literally take you straight up. Lesotho and South Africa share the relatively flat summit, which is approximately 3,200 meters (10,700 feet).
The Amphitheatre and Tugela Falls, which plunge a world-record 983 meters (3,225 feet), can be seen from hikers who spend at least two nights at the summit.
Indeed, even on warm, bright days at the base, climbs ought to be ready for downpour and thick fog at the culmination, and even snow during the southern side of the equator winter. Something like 50 explorers each day are permitted to camp for the time being.
Distance: Time: 45 kilometers (27 miles). 2-3 days
Klipspringer Trail
An obscure route that begins close to the largest Orange River waterfall and meanders along the crest of its deep gorge can be found in Augrabies Falls National Park in the Northern Cape. This route takes place in a dramatic desert setting.
Possibly opening among April and October when temperatures are at their mildest, the path is hot and dry over time. Water, sunblock, and head protection should be carried by hikers in abundance.
Hikers stay in huts with bunk beds, toilets, kitchens, and potable water for their meals. The path is restricted to 12 explorers each day. Most people see birds and reptiles, but the national park also has giraffes, zebras, leopards, and a variety of antelopes, including the klipspringer, which is the park’s name.
Distance: Time: 39.5 kilometers (25 miles). 3 days
Cape of Good Hope Trail
The legendary Cape of Good Expectation gives a verifiable and exceptionally picturesque setting for a tough circle trail with great sea perspectives and rich fynbos vegetation.
Beginning from the Cape of Good Expectation Public Park entrance entryway, the path jumps across mountains sitting above Misleading Cove to Cape Point and elements three short-term cabins with cots, showers, latrines, sun based power and cooking regions. Day two takes the climb up the Atlantic shore and across the Cape Promontory with a fantastic finale on Rooihoogte top.
The region’s biodiversity is unrivaled among calm locales, with in excess of 1,080 plant species and 250 bird assortments, as well as ostriches, zebras, caracal felines and eight sorts of pronghorns.
Distance: Time: 33.8 kilometers (21 miles). 2 days
Kgaswane Summit Trail
The Summit Trail traverses the rugged highlands of Kgaswane Mountain Reserve in the Magaliesberg Range, making it the best overnight hike within a short drive of Johannesburg.
The park visitor center and the park entrance near Rustenburg are two places from which you can access the trail. Explorers can crash at a crude campsite close to the highest point or in one of a few mountain cottages.
The fact that Kgaswane is part of a biosphere reserve that includes the Cradle of Mankind World Heritage Site shows that humans and their evolutionary ancestors have been hunting, gathering, and hiking in the Magaliesberg for more than two million years.
Distance: Time: About 25 kilometers (16 miles). 2 days
Tsitsikamma Trail
Prehistoric fern trees and cool rock pools, river crossings where the water is frequently waist-high, and bright green highlands reminiscent of Scotland make the inland mountains of Garden Route National Park a primal setting.
Furthermore, it begins with the heaven ocean side at Nature’s Valley, close to the first of five short-term cabins got into the unblemished native backwoods or on grandiose edges with cooling breezes and all encompassing perspectives.
Other nearby adventure activities, such as bungee jumping, a treetop canopy course, whitewater rafting or tubing, and sea kayaking, can be topped or followed by hikers.
Distance: Time: 62 kilometers (39 miles). 6 days
Rim of Africa
The Rim of Africa is a guided hike through the Western Cape’s mountains and valleys from the remote Cederberg range north of Cape Town to the Outeniqua range near George. This hike is more of an experience than a fixed trail.
Driven by veteran climbers, the course is partitioned into nine crosses which explorers tackle each in turn over a time of years as opposed to a legendary relentless through-climb. Each cross requires seven to 10 days during the South African spring (September-November).
The majority of the trek is considered strenuous due to the numerous steep grades and the fact that much of the route passes through traditional fynbos vegetation. The norm is primitive camping in the wild, complete with buckets or natural pools for “showering.” However, there is nothing comparable anywhere else on the continent.
Distance: Time: 760 kilometers (472 miles) 9 weeks
Ribbok Trail
The Ribbok, the most well-known hike in the Free State, is about three hours east of Bloemfontein and climbs through the colorful sandstone cliffs and rock formations of Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
The first day begins at Glen Reenen Rest Camp, which is located in the center of the park. From there, it is a relatively simple climb to an overnight mountain hut with bunks, a bathroom, a braai (barbecue) area, and the chance to take a cool dip at the bottom of Ribbokspruit waterfall.
Before returning to Glen Reenen, the second day begins with a 1,000-meter (3,280-foot) ascent to the summit of Generaalskop peak, which is 2,757 meters (9,045 feet). Look for wildebeest, zebra, blesbok, springbok, and other park-dwelling grazers as you go.
Distance: Time: 28 kilometers, or 18 miles 2 days
Namaqualand Coast
Namaqua National Park protects a pristine stretch of Atlantic coastline known for its wild beaches and incredible spring wildflower super bloom. It is approximately 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of Cape Town.
The recreation area’s longest pathway is the six-kilometer (3.1-mile) Heaviside Trail, named for the Heaviside dolphins you can detect seaward. The route connects the campsites Kwass and Koringkorrel Baai by traversing coastal dunes and secluded beaches.
Intrepid hikers can extend their Namaqualand trek into a multiday hike that covers the entire coast of the national park between Groenriviermond Lighthouse and the Spoeg River with its eerie caves and nine campgrounds by following both the footpath and sandy 4×4 trails.
Distance: Around 51 kilometers (31 miles)
Time: 4-7 days
