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South Africa is a hikers dream. There are easy to follow trails of varying lengths and difficulty from easy day walks to overnight hikes with or without support . The choice is mind boggling. Guides are available to take you in the Cape Town area but trails are found all over South Africa. Favorite Cape Town hikes are up Table Mountain and Lions Head for a superb view over the city an ocean.
The following are just three out of hundreds of trails literally.
One of the most iconic sights in Cape Town, a view from famous Table Mountain can be explored through one of the many hiking routes available. With a myriad of different trails to suit all energy and fitness levels, be it an early morning jaunt up Skeleton Gorge or a Full Moon Adventure on Devil’s Peak, the options are many. A half day guided hike is approximately US$70 per person.
With trails running from Table Mountain to Cape Point, the Cape Town hiking experience ranges from deserted highlands to shipwreck-strewn beaches. Choose between flat rambles on wide jeep tracks to white-knuckle scrambles up little-used ravines. You can focus on a certain aspect of the environment – botany, birds, the ocean, geology and human history – whatever you are interested in. The Otter Trail along the Tsitsikamma coast is probably the most popular hike in South Africa. Lush forests, rugged shorelines, mountain streams and waterfalls and fragrant fynbos make this a special one.
It’s strenuous, with lots of ups and downs, but the distances aren’t too great. It is a multi-day trail and advance reservations are required as only a limited amount of people are allowed on the trail to preserve the eco system. If you want the scenery and walking with less slog and more luxury, try the Dolphin Trail. It traverses similar terrain to the Otter – joining up with it in places – but instead of hiking huts you stay in fully catered guest houses with great views and good food. Your pack is transported to your next overnight spot by vehicle, and you carry only a day pack with lunch, water, camera and swimsuit.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a sight to behold but when you choose to hike into the gorge and are eye level to the Falls it is quite another experience. Please see here for more details.
Tanzania
Hike the ultimate, Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Yet there are an incredible variety of other hikes featuring different lenghts and difficulty level. Conquer Mt. Meru, stay in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro or scale one the the volcanic craters in Northern Tanzania. Plenty options and all fun!
