Ray Chaplin solo walk from Cape Town to Beit Bridge

Posted on 11 December 2009

While the Karoo drought beat me back on the first attempt, lessons have been learnt and adjustments made to the approach and I am heading back out there to crack the solo crossing of our gorgeous country on foot.

I have made changes to the route too, and am including some time in Botswana for added flavour and adventure and to add to the historical journey.

Below is a rough overview of the route – which may change along the way if needed. Reasons for change include environmental and ‘political’, and will only be made in extreme circumstances where I am left with little choice… or my life is endangered beyond the standard ‘day to day’ challenges.

STAGE ONE:
80km :: Cape Point Lighthouse to Cape Town Stadium, following the PUFfeR route
65km :: Cape Town Stadium to Paarl [including climbing Paarl Rock]
12km :: Paarl to Wellington
55km :: Wellington to Ceres [over Bain’s Kloof Pass & Michel’s Pass]
195km :: Ceres to Sutherland [entering the Northern Cape]
108km :: Sutherland to Fraserburg [incl. South African Astronomical Observatory]
135km :: Fraserburg to Carnarvon [incl. Corbelled Houses]
90 km :: Carnarvon to Vosburg [incl. Bushman paintings]
62km :: Vosburg to Britstown
77km :: Britstown to Strydenburg
68km :: Strydenburg to Hopetown [incl. Old Wagon Bridge]
80km :: Hopetown to Douglas [incl. site of first diamond discovery]
110km :: Douglas to Kimberley [incl. Big Hole and all the other sites]
Stage One distace = 1137km

REST DAY

STAGE TWO:
75km :: Kimberley to Warrenton
45km :: Warrenton to Hartswater
45km :: Hartswater to Taung Skull site
85km :: Taung Skull site to Vryburg
160km :: Vryburg to Mafikeng [incl. Maritzani]
25km :: Mafikeng to Ramatlabama Border Post [entry into Botswana]
50km :: Ramatlabama to Lobatse
70km :: Lobatse to Gaborone
45km :: Gaborone to Mochudi
170km :: Mochudi to Mahalapye [cross the Tropic of Capricorn]
75km :: Mahalapye to Machaneng
215km :: Machaneng to Pont Drift Border Post [entry back into South Africa]
115km :: Pont Drift Border Post to Musina
18km :: Musina to Beit Bridge [and success!]
Stage Two distance = 1193km

TOTAL distance :: 2330km

Departure is set to be sometime between Christmas & New Years… I am busy looking at all the options, keeping the holidays & my dad’s birthday (26th) in mind.




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