Walking Tours in South Africa

Whether it’s the solitude of the mountains, the silence of a forest path or the joy of heading down to an inviting golden beach from a coastal trail, there are few better ways to enjoy the beauty of South Africa.

Overview

South Africa is a wonderful country for walking. With plenty of wide open spaces, scenic beauty and varied terrain.

How exactly you want to enjoy walking in South Africa is up to you. You can choose one of our private walking tours in South Africa - see below. You can add in one or two guided day walks . Or you can just walk independently on one of hundreds of walking trails.

We've put together self-guided walking tours where you stay at country lodges which have their own walking trails on site or close by. Lots of our favourite hotels have walking trails on their property. Some even have mapped GPS co-ordinates to help self-guided walkers! The best ones are mentioned below under Where to Stay.

Walking tours in South Africa - Cederberg

Best Destinations for Walking in South Africa?

The Cape province offers some superb hiking trails. Admire mystical mountain ranges including the renowned Table Mountain and the Cederberg. Enjoy the indigenous fauna and flora, verdant wine farms and vineyards, lush forests, waterfalls and golden sandy beaches.

Walking tours in South Africa - Cape Town

Hermanus, on the southern Cape Whale Coast, and the Garden Route offer fantastic coastal trails in the natural fynbos. The possibility of seeing a whale is an added bonus in the 'whale season' (July to November). The Tsitsikamma coast on the Garden Route offers some popular hiking trails through lush indigenous forests, sandy beaches and magnificent mountains with breath-taking views.

Walking tours in South Africa - Tsitsikamma

The magnificent Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu Natal offer both high mountain challenge and more gentle valley trails. In addition to the panoramic views there are also stunning waterfalls, forests and magnificent escarpments. Indeed, many hotels are particularly well equipped for self-guided walkers with detailed trail maps. Some even have daily guided walks with their in-house guides.

Highlights

It's a land of staggering natural beauty yet also varied in terrain. Choose between classic mountain hikes, coastal trails or even desert walks.
Lots of country lodges have laid-out walking trails on their property
Many well-maintained and well-used walking trails in National Parks and Reserves

Dream holiday

"Milandi (et all at C. A. T.) …”Like talking to a good friend/family member who genuinely, listens… then sets skill and extensive knowledge to work to fulfill (AND OFTEN BEYOND!!) all expectations!!” This Africa holiday was simply “ANOTHER” dream animal photo safari and experience Milandi (Cedarberg) put together… we have experienced TWO previous “dream holiday” from Milandi and Crew. How could a 3rd be better?… It simply was. “I may have left Africa” … “Africa will NEVER leave Me”… I (WE) will be going back, with Milandi’s guidance B4 this decade is over It has been 3 weeks since return, still dreaming/thinking/processing this tremendous experience. Milandi and Cedarberg are My “Tools” towards many rewards!!! Thank-You, ALL" Mr Wally Rohrer

A varied and fantastic holiday that we will never forget

"Milandi interpreted all our needs perfectly and the tailor-made holiday was way beyond our expectations. As a first time visitor to South Africa, we were quite apprehensive about safety, but all the places chosen for us to stay in were comfortable and hospitable." Mr Andrew Thompson

We will certainly use Cedarberg again

"All the arrangements worked perfectly – no hiccups at all. We will certainly use Cedarberg again and will recommend the company to others. We were particularly impressed by the fact that the ground agents met us from every flight and saw us on to the next flight so if anything had gone awry there was someone on hand to help us sort it out. As one gets older that is enormously comforting." Ms Sandra Clark, UK

Sonja Brand

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I'm Sonja, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience

LET'S PLAN YOUR ULTIMATE SAFARI

Popular tours & safaris

We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.

Cape & Garden Route Walking Tour

This private walking tour from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth allows you to enjoy some of the classic walks of the Cape with plenty of time to enjoy the scenic highlights as well.

WHEN Sept - May

DURATION 9 Nights

FROM $ 3,155

Drakensberg Walking Tour

The Drakensberg walking tour encompasses some of the best walking in KwaZulu Natal. Our tour offers a diversity of walks – from forest walks, to dramatic river gorges and mountain hikes.

WHEN Jan - Dec

DURATION 5 Nights

FROM $ 1,434

Cedarberg Hiking tour

This hiking tour is a series of day walks in the Cedarberg Wilderness area, with its wild and dramatically coloured and weathered rocks and stunning scenery. It is ideal for the keen hiker.

WHEN Mar - Dec

DURATION 3 Nights

FROM $ 1,240

Cape Town Walking Tour

This short private walking tour in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands allows you to enjoy some of the scenic delights of the area on foot. We offer a diversity of walks – from a hike on Table...

WHEN Sept - May

DURATION 3 Nights

FROM $ 1,068

South Africa on Foot

This South Africa on Foot walking tour encompasses some of the best walking areas in South Africa, namely Cape Town, Hermanus, the Garden Route and ending with the magnificent Drakensberg...

WHEN Sept - Apr

DURATION 14 Nights

FROM $ 4,912

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Accommodation

Hermanus

Grootbos Garden Lodge

Grootbos Private Reserve, located amidst the spectacular fynbos and ancient dunes of the Whale Coast, is a multi-award winning gem. Grootbos Garden Lodge is the original family-friendly lodge...

PRICE (PPS) $ 678

RATING Luxury

Clanwilliam

Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge

Cederberg Ridge is a luxurious wilderness lodge offering delicious food, hospitality and adventure. The lodge overlooks the panorama of the Cederberg Mountains with its unique raw, rugged beauty....

PRICE (PPS) $ 161

RATING Luxury

Natal Battlefields

Three Trees at Spioenkop

Three Trees at Spioenkop overlooks the battlefield of Spioenkop and is set against a backdrop of the Drakensberg mountains. The lodge has been constructed using wood and iron to resemble the 19th...

PRICE (PPS) $ 343

RATING Premier

Natal Battlefields

Fugitives' Drift Guest House

Fugitives' Drift Guesthouse is the second lodge on the Fugitives' Drift estate, set a short distance from the Lodge. It offers simple yet comfortable accommodation. The original homestead is now...

PRICE (PPS) $ 267

RATING Premier

Cederberg Mountains

Mount Ceder

Mount Ceder is a delightful lodge high in the Cedarberg which offers well-appointed self-catering accommodation with the option of booking all meals at their restaurant as well. It's ideally...

PRICE (PPS) $ 49

RATING Comfortable

Drakensberg Mountains

Cathedral Peak Hotel

The Cathedral Peak Hotel is a traditional mountain resort hotel with stunning panoramic views - ideal for walkers and families. It runs like a well-oiled machine, with a range of guided activities...

PRICE (PPS) $ 100

RATING Premier

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Ginny made excellent suggestions

"Ginny made excellent suggestions for our holiday ensuring we had a good variety of things to do which suited the whole family." Mrs Mary Creayen, UK

Delivered the goods

"Cedarberg took on board what we wanted and delivered the goods!! Accommodation everywhere was fantastic we couldn’t have asked for any more! Preferred safari at madikwe as saw loads more because the rangers could go off road, would definitely look at this type of safari next time." Mr Eastwood, UK

10 out of 10 for everything

"The holiday was exceptionally good and we all enjoyed every moment, especially my son Stephen (10 years old). The fact that Stephen enjoyed it says a lot since he is a seasoned traveller (as are most expat kids) having been to almost 20 countries already in his lifetime. We returned with more than a thousand photos and wonderful memories of what Africa can offer at its best" Family De Waal,

Walking Tours in South Africa Articles

Walks in the Central Cederberg Wilderness

The Cederberg Wilderness area offers some excellent walking opportunities. Given that it is a mountainous area, most of the walks in the central Cederberg involve some steep sections. But the...

Walks in the northern Cederberg

The Cederberg Mountains are best-known for the classic hikes of the central Cederberg. But there are also plenty of great walking in the northern Cederberg, in the Pakhuis area close to...

Behind the scenes of the Cederberg Heritage Route

A few years ago Cedarberg Africa joined up with the Not-for-profit organization, Cederberg Heritage Route, to offer a series of slackpacking trails in the Cederberg mountains, only 2 hours north...

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