Eden to Addo Mega-Hike

Hike Programme

SECTIHike
Eden to Addo
2008
5
th
– 23rd September 2008

YOU ARE INVITED . . .

to walk the longest leisure hike in
South Africa: traversing 400km of
mountains, across rivers, through
wilderness areas, farms, private game
reserves and National Parks -the
entire area that makes up the Eden to
Addo Biodiversity Corridor.
Be one of a select few in 2008 to walk
this route from the Knysna Forests
over the Baviaanskloof to Addo
Elephant National Park.
W A L K T H E L O N G E S T S U P P O R T E D H I K E O F I T S K I N D I N S O U T H A F R I C A 4 0 0 K M F R O M E D E N T O A D D O I N 1 8 D A Y S
w w w. e den t oa d d o.co.z a

Dear Hikers . . .
This year the Eden to Addo Mega-Hike is more than South
Africa’s longest supported hike (400km over 18 days), it is a
unique programme, that includes the opportunity to increase
your understanding of the interconnected wonders of nature.
At the start of each week, we explore an ecological and
environmental theme, presented by leading scientists, writers
and ecologists who have been invited to host a programme on
our rest days.
Hike for Conservation:
This is a walk for and about conservation. A walk where your participation 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 the Greater Addo
Elephant National Park. These linkages are vital for preserving biodiversity in times of climate change.
The Eden to Addo Mega-Hike walks through portions of all these reserves and others.
We still have a number of spaces available for this year, but they are going quickly. If you have friends
who you think would enjoy the Mega-Hike why not get them to walk with you – new friends are made
and old friendships grow stronger when out in the wild.
How:
The Eden to Addo Mega-Hike 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 tent already set-up, a fire on the go and a beverage of your choice.

ON 1: DAY 1 – DAY 6
THE ECOLOGY OF THE KNYSNA FORESTS AND THE MYSTERY OF THE KNYSNA ELEPHANTS

 
hosted by Gareth Patterson
For 8 years Gareth has been living
in Knysna and completing
research into the last remaining
elephants of the Knysna forests.
This inspiring presentation will
track the history of the elephants
of the area and explore questions
The Zuurberge on the last day before Addo Elephant National Park
about their future.

HIKE ROUTE:

Starting in the indigenous forests of Knysna at the Diepwalle forestry reserve, we meander
through forest and plantation towards Perdekop near Prince Alfred’s Pass. The following day we
descend into the Keurboom river valley and over mountain Fynbos towards the Soetkraal
wilderness area of the Tsitsikamma National Park. For two days we traverse this mountain
wilderness. The final day takes us to Misgund in the Langkloof.

SECTION 2: DAY 7 – DAY 12

 
WILDLIFE TRACKING AND ECOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE
hosted by Dr Ian McCallum
Ian is a celebrated author, poet and wilderness guide. We are
privileged to have him join us. This workshop includes learning
the basics of tracking in the wild. We end with an exploration
Crossing yet another river . . . of poetry and the meaning of ecological intelligence.

 
HIKE ROUTE:

 
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 even leopard.

 

SECTION 3: DAY 13 – DAY 18

THE BAVIAANSKLOOF MATRIX AND THE WONDERS OF THICKET
hosted by Dr Richard Cowling
Leading international scientist, Richard Cowling is a Professor of
Conservation Science at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University,
with many scientific papers and books to his credit. He believes
strongly that for conservation science to be socially relevant,
scientists need to engage in the complex processes that lead to
implementation of conservation action.

HIKE ROUTE:

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 the next day is another highlight, a secluded river valley both
wild and beautiful. Cockscomb mountain beckons in the north-east before we cut through the
Springbokvlakte for a night at Perseverance. Our final camp is at Die Moot on the edge of the
Greater Addo Elephant National Park. We end the following day on the Sundays river with a
celebratory brunch after entering the Addo park.

September 2008
12th– 23rd September 2008
th– 23rd September 2008
Prices fully inclusive of all meals, lectures, permits, tents and return transport after the hike.

Bookings:

Please complete the registration form attached, and join us
in walking for conservation in September.

 
To find out more visit our website www.edentoaddo.co.za
or see the chapter on the Mega-Hike in Fiona McIntosh’s
new book “SlackPacking in SA”, alternatively contact
our hike coordinator Galeo Saintz: Cell 082 888-8181
Email: galeo@edentoaddo.co.za
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The MegaHike is a celebration of nature, a pilgrimage for
biodiversity and an opportunity to contribute towards
important conservation corridors in the Southern Cape.