. . . yes, take up the challenge and come hike the toughest cross-country endurance hike in South Africa: in 21 days you will traverse over 400km of mountains, cross rivers, walk through wilderness areas, farms, private game reserves and National Parks - the entire area that makes up the Eden to Addo Biodiversity Corridor.

Join a select group of hikers in 2010 to walk this route known as The Eden to Addo - Great Corridor Hike. The route starts in the Knysna Forests, through the Tsitsikamma Mountains, over the Baviaanskloof and through the Springbokvlakte to Addo Elephant National Park. The Eden to Addo is only walked once each year, and follows a route that attempts to trace where elephants once roamed. Imagine walking through indigenous forests, over expansive mountains and through winding river gorges, side-stepping buffalo and rhino and keeping an eye out for sunbirds and leopards.

HIKE FOR CONSERVATION

This is a walk for and about conservation, it is a fundraising hike where all money raised contributes to building 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. These linkages are vital for preserving biodiversity in times of climate change. The Eden to Addo hike walks through portions of all these reserves and others.

At the start of each week, we explore an ecological and environmental theme relating to the area we are walking through, stimulating fire-side chats are encouraged in the evenings.

Bookings for the 2010 Eden to Addo Ð Great Corridor Hike are now open. If you have friends who you think would enjoy the hike why not get them to walk with you - new friends are made and old friendships grow stronger when out in the wild.


HIKE IN STYLE

The Eden to Addo is a ÔSlackpackÕ 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.

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.

On most nights showers are available, or at the least a bucket of hot water for washing off. Water is very limited in many places which influences the frequency of washing opportunities.



HIKE PROGRAMME AND STRUCTURE

Just because your main packs are transported between camps, does not make this hike any easier. The hiking day starts at 6:00am with a wake-up call and we start hiking at 8:00am. After a full day of walking we generally arrive in camp between 3:30pm and 5:30pm.

The average distance covered in a day is in the 20-26km range, the shortest day being about 12km and the longest 35 km. Even on a short day we will not get into camp before 3:30pm. There is 1 full rest day included.

The hike is facilitated by intrepid hikers with knowledge of the local fauna and flora, indepth understanding of the role of conservation corridors and a wealth of expereinece 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.

DAY 1 - DAY 6

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. That night we camp on a ridge over-looking the forests towards the north. 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 7 - DAY 13

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 14 - DAY 21

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: 4th - 23rd September 2009


COST: R 20 000.00

Price is fully inclusive of 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. Price also includes special edition bags, consiting of a dry bag and carry bag per hiker. 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 not included in the price.


FACTS AND FIGURES:

Dates: 4th - 24th September 2010
Distance Covered: 400km plus
Mountain Ridges Linked: 7
Number of Biomes: 5
Hiking Days: 21
National Parks & Nature Reserves: 6


BOOKINGS:

To participate in The Eden to Addo - Great Corridor Hike, please download and complete the entry form:

Eden to Addo Entry Form

For more detailed information about the hike contact our hike organizer, Galeo Saintz

To find out more see the chapter on The Eden to Addo "Mega-Hike" in Fiona McIntosh's new book "SlackPacking in SA"


The Eden to Addo is a celebration of nature, a pilgrimage for biodiversity and an opportunity to contribute towards important conservation corridors linking the Eastern and Western Cape.