High Adventure Africa

Escape to a land of wide open spaces, fine weather, and friendly people. High Adventure offers a full range of mountain guiding services in South Africa and Namibia.

So let us welcome you with true African hospitality to some of the most ancient mountain ranges on earth. Chat with us to find out more about our scheduled climbing trips
or let us know what you have in mind and we will help you plan your great escape. High Adventure Africa offers a professional mountain guiding and training service based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Founder member of the South African Mountain Guides Association and MDT-accredited training provider. Cape Rock Tour
Join us for a fully guided, two-week rock climbing trip, as a ‘taster’ of some of the best climbing areas in the Western Cape province of South Africa. We visit Table Mountain, the Du Toit’s Kloof/ Valley, and the central and northern Cederberg range.

Experience a variety of excellent climbing on good rock in scenic surroundings and fine weather. The climbing we do is mostly of the traditional style on routes of up to five pitches (max. 150m), but there are also single-pitch sport routes for us to climb at some of these venues.

Other attractions
A scenic drive around the Cape Peninsula, including a visit to Cape Point; climbing on the granite domes of Paarl Rocks; viewing San/ Bushman rock art in the Cederberg; wine tasting, swimming in natural pools in mountain streams, wide open, uncrowded spaces, fine weather and friendly people.

Itinerary
Please note: This itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and meet your guide. Drive to the guesthouse in Cape Town, settle in and relax for a while. Take a scenic drive around the Cape Peninsula, visiting Cape Point, and do some sport climbing or bouldering in the Silvermine area on the way back. Eat out at a restaurant and overnight in guesthouse in C.T.

Day 2
Leisurely rise, then spend the rest of the day climbing on the sandstone cliffs of Lion’s Head overlooking the Clifton and Camps Bay beaches. Eat out at restaurant and overnight in Cape Town guesthouse.

Day 3
Full day of climbing multi-pitch traditional route(s) on Table Mountain. Eat out and overnight in guesthouse in C.T.

Day 4
Leisurely rise, then pack up and drive to the town Paarl, in the nearby Boland ‘Winelands’ region. Continue up onto Paarl Mountain and enter the nature reserve. Climb on the granite domes of Paarl Rocks. In the late afternoon, drive on to the Du Toit’s Kloof / Valley. Overnight at the Du Toitskloof Lodge/ hotel.

Day 5
Climbing at Hellfire Crags (single- and two-pitch trad routes, or sport routes) on the lower slopes of Du Toit’s Peak. Overnight at the Du Toitskloof Lodge.

Day 6
Full day of climbing multi-pitch traditional routes on Wolfberg. Overnight at Sandrift self-catering chalets on Dwarsrivier farm.

Day 7
Rest day or more climbing at Hellfire Crags in the morning. Pack up after lunch and drive, via Ceres to stock up on supplies, to the Dwarsrivier farm in the central Cederberg mountains. Overnight at Sandrift chalets.
Day 8
Climbing single-pitch sport and trad routes at the nearby Truitjieskraal crags. Possibly also go to view the San / Bushman rock art and explore at the ‘Stadsaal’ rock outcrops.
Overnight at Sandrift chalets.

Day 9
Optional rest day. Either relaxing at the chalets and down at the river and/ or exploring and viewing Khoisan/ Bushman rock art at ‘Stadsaal’ rock outcrops, with an optional visit to and swimming in ‘Maalgat’ river pool. Or, further climbing either on Wolfberg or at Truitjieskraal. Overnight at Sandrift chalets.

Day 10
Optional rest day. Pack up and drive to the Pakhuis Mountains in the northern Cederberg, via the town Clanwilliam to stock up on supplies. Set up camp at the Kliphuis campsite. Then for the remainder of the day either relax at the campsite, do some bouldering on the nearby ‘Campsite Boulders’ and/ or have a brief taster of the Rocklands sport climbing/ bouldering area. Overnight at Kliphuis campsite, Pakhuis Mountains, northern Cederberg.

Day 11
Climbing sport routes, bottom-roped climbing, and bouldering at Rocklands. Overnight at Kliphuis campsite.

Day 12
Climbing at Rocklands. Pack up camp and vehicle and return to Cape Town in the afternoon (3 hours driving time). Overnight in the guest house in Cape Town.

Day 13
Full day of multi-pitch climbing on Table Mountain. Overnight at guesthouse in Cape Town.

Day 14
Time at leisure in Cape Town, or go climbing somewhere in the Cape Peninsula, until time to get ready to drive to the airport. Fly back to the UK.

Fitness
This trip is suitable for climbers with, at least, a few years climbing experience (including traditional climbing as a seconder) with a reasonably good level of mountain walking fitness.
Climbers should be competent climbing multiple pitches and seconding on traditional routes of, at least, grade: SA – 17: UK – HVS 5a: USA – 5.9: Fr – 5c+: W Ger – 6

Cape Country Classics Tour
Join us for a fully guided 3-week climbing trip visiting some of the best ‘backcountry’ climbing areas in the rugged fold mountains of the Western Cape province of South Africa. We climb the buttresses and faces of some of the highest peaks of the region (up to 1995m) via long, classic multi-pitch traditional rock climbing routes, that date back as far as 1896.
We climb Table Mountain, Du Toit’s Peak, Klein Winterhoek Peak, Milner Peak, the Cedarberg Tafelberg and Great Krakadou. Experience the full splendor of these mountains and the superb vistas out over the surrounding countryside whilst climbing this selection of classic routes on good quality quartzitic sandstone.
These climbs are similar to summer Alpine climbing – usually long [ up to 3 hrs] steep approaches, sometimes up to high bivouac (bivy) sites, early start-ups, sustained multi-pitch climbing with a daypack and long (sometimes technical) descents. Climbing these routes will take you up into some spectacular settings and exposed positions, leaving you with a deep sense of satisfaction and long-lasting memories.

Other attractions
A scenic drive around the Cape Peninsula, including a visit to Cape Point; cragging at the excellent Hellfire Crags; spectacular mountain passes; wine tasting; Bushman rock art; Karbonaatjieskraal guest farm on the northern tip of the Hex River mountains, the historic and isolated missionary village of Wupperthal in the northern Cederberg. Savor a land of wide open spaces, fine weather, and friendly people.

Itinerary
Please note: This itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1
Fly into Cape Town. Meet your guide and drive to guest house accommodation in Cape Town. After settling in, take a scenic drive around the Cape Peninsula, visiting Cape Point, with the option of some climbing in the Silvermine area, or other accessible crags, on the way back.
Overnight at guest house in Cape Town.

Day 2
Climbing on Table Mountain. Climb the impressive north face of this famous mountain via one of the classics like “Right Face” (11), “Arrow Face” (11), “Africa Amphitheatre” (20) [min. 10 pitches].
Overnight at guest house in C.T.

Day 3
Leisurely rise. Drive out to the Du Toit’s Kloof at midday, unpack and have lunch at the Du Toitskloof Lodge. Climb at Hellfire Crags in the valley in the afternoon.

Day 4
Optional climbing at Hellfire Crags in the morning. Lunch at the Du Toitskloof Lodge. Walk-in (max. 3 hours) to the bivy site beneath the North West Wall of Du Toits Peak in the afternoon. Overnight at bivy site, Du Toits Peak.

Day 5
Slog up the scree slope to the start of the route. Climb the “North West Face (Frontal) Route” (19) on Du Toits Peak [14 pitches]. Traverse off below the summit and descend via Currey’s Ridgeback to bivy site. If time allows, pack up bivy and descend to the Du Toitskloof Lodge for the night. If not, start preparing brews and evening meal at the bivy. Overnight either at Du Toitskloof Lodge or at bivvy site on Du Toits Peak.

Day 6
Rest Day. If still at the Du Toits Peak bivy, descend and go to the Du Toitskloof Lodge, to have tea/ lunch and to collect stored luggage. Drive via the Du Toitskloof Pass and the scenic and historic Bain’s Kloof Pass, to the historic town of Tulbach. Overnight at guest house in Tulbach.

Day 7
Drive early to the nearby farm, Bergplaas, beneath Klein Winterhoek Peak. Hike up to the high bivy camp (3 hours) and relax the remainder of the day. Overnight at bivy, Klein Winterhoek Peak.

Day 8
Start early, scramble up to the start of the route (1 hour) and climb “Klein Winterhoek Frontal” (16) to the summit [12 pitches]. Descend to bivy. If time allows, pack up bivy and descend to the vehicle(s), returning to the guest house in Tulbach. If not, start preparing brews and evening meal at the bivy. Overnight either in Tulbach guest house or at bivy site on Klein Winterhoek Peak.

Day 9
If still up at Klein Winterhoek bivy site, descend and drive to the guest house in Tulbach, to refresh and to collect stored luggage. Drive into the Hex River Valley and through to Karbonaatjieskraal Guest Farm. Check in and then go climbing at the local crag in the late afternoon. Overnight at Karbonaatjieskraal.

Day 10
Drive through to Canetvlei Farm and hike up (max. 3 hours) to a bivy site in a spectacular setting on Milner Peak. Relax for the remainder of the day. Overnight at bivy site, Milner Peak.

Day 11
Slog up the scree slope, traverse across above the lower amphitheater and continue up to the start of the route. Climb the “Milner Frontal Route” (16) to the summit. [9 pitches]. Descend to bivy site. Overnight at bivy site, Milner Peak.

Day 12
Rest day. Descend to vehicle(s) and drive, via Worcester to restock on supplies, to the central Cederberg mountains. Overnight at self-catering chalets at Sanddrif on the farm Dwarsrivier.

Day 13
Leisurely rise, then pack up and drive to nearby Welbedacht and hike up to Cederberg Tafelberg in the afternoon. Overnight at bivy in Spout Cave, Cederberg Tafelberg.

Day 14
Climb “Cederberg Tafelberg Frontal Route” (12) [6 pitches], or more modern route(s) on the main face of Tafelberg. Overnight at Spout Cave bivy, Tafelberg.

Day 15
Climb on Cederberg Tafelberg in the morning. After lunch descends and drive to the town of Clanwilliam. Overnight in the guest house in Clanwilliam.

Day 16
Drive to Wupperthal mission village then on to Heuningvlei in the northern Cederberg. Hike up to a bivy site on Great Krakadouw Peak. Overnight at Krakadouw bivy.

Day 17
Climb “Kakadouw Amphitheatre Direct” route (20) [10 pitches] up the center of the main amphitheater on Great Krakadouw Peak, or “Krakadouw Frontal Route” (15) or “Chimpanzee Tea Party” (18) up the ridge on the right of the amphitheater. [Min. 8 pitches]. Overnight at Krakadouw bivy.

Day 18
Optional rest day, or more climbing either on the bigger faces of Great Krakadouw peak or the small crags of Middle Krakadouw. Overnight at Krakadouw bivy.

Day 19
Rest Day. Descend and drive via the hot springs in Citrusdal for a rejuvenating experience en-route back to Cape Town.
Overnight at guest house in Cape Town.

Day 20
Climb on Table Mountain, or the “Slangolie Direct Frontal Route” (16) [10 pitches] on Slangolie Buttress, one of the “12 Apostles” Buttresses on the west flank of the “Back Table” of Table Mountain. Overnight at guest house in Cape Town.

Day 21
Day at leisure until departure.

Fitness
This trip is suitable for climbers with a minimum of 4 – 5 years climbing and mountain experience, with a reasonable amount of that being on multi-pitch traditional routes (as seconder or leader), with fairly high level of mountain walking fitness.
Climbers should be competent climbing multiple pitches and seconding on traditional routes of, at least, grade: SA 19: UK – E1 5b: USA – 5.10b: Fr – 6a+: W Ger – 6+/ 7-

Namibian Rock Tour
Join us for a two-week guided climbing trip visiting some of the best climbing areas in Namibia.
We focus on the central and western regions of the country moving from desert to bushveld ecosystems as we explore a fascinating land of stark contrasts and wide open spaces.
The highlights of the trip are climbing the Great Spitzkop – the ‘Matterhorn’ of Namibia – and the domes and boulders of the Erongo mountains. We climb single- and multi-pitch sport and traditional routes, mostly on granite rock, but also on sandstone.

Other attractions
Ancient desert landscapes, rich wildlife of the Erongos and the Waterberg Plateau, San/Bushman rock art, diverse cultures, wide open spaces, fine weather and friendly people.

Itinerary
Please note: This itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1
Arrive at Hosea Kotako International airport outside Windhoek. Drop off baggage at the guest house and refresh. Climb single-pitch sport routes in Harmony Gorge, just south of Windhoek, in the afternoon. Overnight in Windhoek guest house.

Day 2
Drive to the Great Spitzkop. Set up camp ‘in the wilds’ beneath Great Spitzkop and get orientated, with optional late afternoon sport climbing at the base of the Spitzkop. Overnight at Spitzkop camp.

Day 3
Climb the Great Spitzkop via the Standard Route. Optional late afternoon sport climbing. Overnight at Spitzkop camp.

Day 4
Climb in the Spitzkoppe area, either another route on the Great Spitzkop, or on one of the four Pontok Spitze, or on the Sugarloaf, and/ or single-pitch sport climbing on the big boulders scattered around the base of the Great Spitzkop. Overnight at Spitzkop camp.
Day 5
Climb in the Spitzkoppe area, either another route on the Great Spitzkop, or on one of the four Pontok Spitze, or on the Sugarloaf, and/ or sport climbing. Overnight at Spitzkop camp.

Day 6
Pack up and drive via Usakos to Ameib Ranch, a game farm on the southern edge of the nearby Erongo mountains. Set up camp and explore or climb sport routes on the Ranch in the afternoon. Overnight at Ameib Ranch campsite.

Day 7
Rest day, with the option of climbing sport routes. Relax and rest at the Ranch or walk and explore in the area, including viewing rock art, for the day. Game drive in the late afternoon. Overnight at Ameib Ranch campsite.

Day 8
Pack up and drive to Omandumba, on the northern fringe of the Erongo mountains. Set up camp in the wilds and go climbing on single-pitch sport routes in the afternoon. Overnight at Omandumba wilderness camp.

Day 9
Climb in the Omandumba area. Overnight at Omandumba wilderness camp.

Day 10
Climb in the early morning, then pack up and drive to the Waterberg Plateau Park. Set up camp at the serviced campsite. Time at leisure at the campsite for the remainder of the day, or possibly some exploration. Overnight in Waterberg Plateau Park campsite.

Day 11
Possible early morning game viewing drive. Climb on the plateau cliffs in the Park. Overnight in Waterberg Plateau Park campsite.

Day 12
Possible early morning game viewing drive. Climb on the plateau cliffs in the Park. Pack up and drive back to Windhoek in the afternoon. Overnight in Windhoek guest house.

Day 13
Climb trad and sport routes at Falkenstein for the day. Overnight in Windhoek guest house.

Day 14
Climb at Harmony Gorge in the morning, or time at leisure before departing.

Fitness
This trip is suitable for climbers with, at least, a few years climbing experience (including traditional climbing as a seconder) with a moderate level of mountain walking fitness.
Climbers should be competent climbing multiple pitches and seconding on traditional routes of, at least, grade: SA – 17: UK – HVS 5a: USA – 5.9: Fr – 5c+: W Ger – 6

Notes: mountain walks & climbs
Notes for guided day hikes and climbs with High Adventure
1) Guide qualifications – All guides used by High Adventure are qualified with appropriate South African mountain guide qualifications, are registered as tourist guides, and are experienced and knowledgeable about local mountain conditions.
2) Medical insurance – all clients should have suitable medical insurance that is valid in South Africa and covers mountaineering, including rescue/ emergency evacuation.
3) Indemnity – Waiver release forms are given and explained to the clients by the guide when they meet and these must be completed and signed before the guided mountain activity commences.
4) Duration – Third-day from about 7.30 – 10.30am (roughly 3 hours); ½ day from about 7.30am to 12 am (roughly 4½ hours); a Full day is roughly from 7.30am to 5 pm (roughly 9 hours). The start-up time for any specific activity is to be confirmed as part of making arrangements when booking.
5) Fitness required – Fitness levels should be reasonably high, ideally, helping ensure the enjoyment of the hiking/ climbing experience. However, a wide range of fitness levels can be accommodated by tailor-making the mountain excursion.
6) Personal Kit List – Clients must have footwear and socks suitable for hiking, cool and comfortable clothing to walk in, a spare T-shirt or similar, warm clothing and, possibly, a waterproof shell jacket, a daypack , water, sun hat, sun block, camera (optional), extra cash (cable car, tip for guide?).
7) Transport – This is NOT included in the price but, if needed, the guide could lift up to four clients, if they are based fairly central in Cape Town, in his/ her personal vehicle for no additional cost. High Adventure can arrange transport for bigger groups than this, but the additional expense would be for the clients’ account.
8) Catering – This is NOT included in the short, day-hikes and climbs.
9) Cable car fares – These (where/ when applicable) are NOT included in the listed prices.
10) Payment – This is to be in cash or EFT, and paid in full before/ at the commencement of the hike.
11) Group discounts – These are available for larger groups – please enquire
12) Value Added Tax – No V.A.T. is payable, as High Adventure is not V.A.T. registered.
13) Commission – The commission for booking agents is NOT included in the price.
14) Routes may vary, or change depending on the weather and the clients’ needs and/or abilities.
15) Tailor-made guided mountain walks and climbs can be shaped to meet your specific requirements.