Eden to Addo Hike
The Eden to Addo walk is currently an annual fundraising event that takes place over 400 km and 20 days. The focus is on the environment, and all money raised is used to build essential conservation corridors stretching from Knysna to Addo and linking the three mega reserves of the area: The Garden Route National Park, the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve and Addo Elephant National Park.
The Eden to Addo is a ‘Slackpack’ hike and is walked in ‘Safari Style’, where your main pack is transported for you, so all you carry is a small day-pack with your lunch and wet-weather gear. The hike is facilitated by intrepid hikers with knowledge of the local fauna and flora, in-depth understanding of the role of conservation corridors and a wealth of experience in the landscape that is walked through. The terrain is mostly remote mountain areas and some sections involve possible encounters with dangerous animals such as rhino and buffalo.
On reaching camp at the end of the day you will find your safari tent already set-up, a fire on the go and a beverage of your choice. Meals are hearty and each evening fresh pot-bread is baked on the fire. Washing consists of bucket showers made available wherever there is sufficient water.
This is not an easy hike and a fitness level is necessary to cover the average distance of 20-26km per day.
DAY 1 – DAY 8
Starting in the indigenous forests of Knysna over-looking the sea cliffs of the Garden Route coast, we meander through pristine indigenous forest towards the Garden of Eden. The following day we descend into the Bitou River valley and over mountain Fynbos crossing a game reserve and eventually camping high looking down into the Keurbooms River. The following day we climb through forest plantations on route to the Soetkraal wilderness area of the Tsitsikamma National Park. For two days we traverse this mountain wilderness. The final day takes us to the Kouga River in the Kouga Mountains.
DAY 9 – DAY 14
Soon after the Langkloof valley we enter the foothills of the Kouga mountains, a hidden wilderness area south of the Baviaanskloof. Here we have ample time to improve our tracking skills as we enter the terrain of the Cape Leopard. Our route takes us across the Kouga mountains and into the Baviaanskloof via Skilderkrans and Dieprivier towards Koue Nek. The next two days are filled with extreme game walking in an expansive landscape of red rocks, thorny bush and countless river crossings. In this section we are likely to meet rhino, buffalo and lots of kudu and not to forget the odd tortoise.
DAY 15 – DAY 20
Leaving the central Baviaanskloof, we head to Bergplaas camp high on the plateau. The next day we walk through Fynbos again and come out in the Cambria valley. Our meander through the Grootrivier in the Goode Hoop Reserve the next day is another highlight, a secluded river valley both wild and beautiful. T’Numqua mountain beckons in the north-east before we cut through the Springbokvlackte for a night over-looking endless plains. We end deep in the Kabouga region of Addo with a celebratory dinner.
HIKE DATE: 1st – 22nd September 2012
DONATION: R 21 800.00 – The hike provides all meals, maps, lectures, camping fees, experienced guides, permits, safari tents and return transfers to Plettenberg Bay and Knysna or PE Airport after the hike. The hike is rustic and yet no expense is spared in making it an unforgettable experience. An honesty bar is on offer in the evenings and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
For booking and other information, please visit the Eden to Addo Website.
| More info on the town of Addo | More info on the Greater Addo area |
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