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About

The Cape Camino experience is designed to improve people's lives through personal growth, deep thinking and a sense of adventure; bringing wealth, opportunities and power to local communities and small business.

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Cape Camino believes in supporting small/medium, family-run, local establishments and the revenue generated goes directly to the communities, which creates employment and business sustainability. On a typical 36 day Camino, over 100 small businesses are supported. 

Sacred space, Cape Camino personal Pilgrim journey, walk, meditation

Creating a culture of Peace, Unity & Thriving for the whole nation.

A Camino is a National Asset. It is a dynamic and organic unfolding of new routes, new sacred spaces and hosts as the locals embrace this new idea, participate and take ownership.

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A pilgrim's journey has purpose and intention for you and you alone. This is what sets it apart from a hike or a walk. We have organized for you, to the best of our ability, access to information to assist you with your journey. But it remains your journey and your responsibility to use the experience to best maximise your intentions. 

  • How do I walk the Cape Camino?
    See the BOOK page on how to get walking.
  • What about safety?
    This is most pilgrims first question. This is what we have put in place: ​ A Camino is by definition a way to take back our spaces from any unwanted elements. It is a way that the broader society can feel free to be outside, in nature and left to enjoy their experiences. The broader community knows this and have a protective attitude to those on Camino, and support and care for our visiting Pilgrims. Make this status clear with your bag tag and any other Camino signatures such as a Cape Camino T shirt. Any package that you take we designate you a local chaperone. These individuals are from the communities that are hosting you, and are very familiar with the comings and goings of local life. They are trained to leave you alone if you are wanting a reflective experience or answer any questions that you may have when asked. The people of Cape Town and the rural areas of the Western Cape have reached a nil tolerance attitude to the crime we have been experiencing and civil groups have organised themselves to protect walkers. Please contact these group and inform them of your times and route: Take Back Our Mountain Facebook Group Muizenberg Police 021 787 9000 SANParks emergency number 0861 106 417 Cape Town Tourism 021 478 6800 A Camino is not a hike. We stick with per urban routes and along farm roads. Your attitude: Be careful but try not to be fear filled. If you do not trust a route then don’t go down it . Walk with the Spirit of Camino; curious, respectful and open minded. All journeys have purpose, challenges and triumphs. Be mindful of yours. . It is always a good idea, generally, not to flaunt wealth in public spaces so be sensible and walk with confidence. In the 5 years we have been operating we have never had a single incident.
  • When's the best time to walk?
    The first 16 days (Wellington Hills to Aurora) can get very hot in the summer months so the best months to walk the Winelands, Farmlands and Community Sections are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. August and September offer the wildflower season and usually this is the busiest time of year on Cape Camino Farmlands and Community section. From Aurora to Darling there are a number of coastal walking which offers a cooler climate so this section can be walked all year round. In high summer months pilgrims are advised to start in Redelinghuys and walk to Grotto Bay, leaving out 3 inland stop overs. They can get get transferred to the Peninsula and walk an additional 7 days. The Peninsula section is wonderful all year round. Winter (June+July) bring the rains, but there are often breaks where the sun comes out and it this makes a perfect walking climate. Since the route is over 36 days long, no matter the time of year there is a section of Cape Camino to enjoy on foot.
  • Training
    We advise a training program. For both body and mind. Body Pilgrims should have a base level fitness to enjoy the route. It is recommended to practice long distance walking for a consecutive number of days. Incline training is also advisable and while the route is mostly flat, there are some days that require walking up hills. A good bench mark is to comfortably walk 4 km p.h. over 4/5 hours. Walk your shoes in, and learn how to prevent and deal with blisters. Mind It is advised that pilgrims practice awareness of their internal environment, especially when life feels uncomfortable. There will be times on Camino, as in life, that unexpected circumstance will arise. To be able to respond with grace and compassion is behaving in line with the Camino Spirit.
  • Where do I leave my car?
    We suggest getting dropped off at the start point of Your Camino by either a transport service, a friend or another pilgrim. If you have to take a car you will need to decide where the best place is to leave it. A suggestion for the peninsula route is in Schoenstatt Avenue in Constantia. This is a quiet road and friendly suburb. ​ The country route hosts are all quite relaxed about leaving cars at their establishments. If you start in Wellington at oude Wellington you are welcome to leave your car there.
  • Can children walk the Cape Camino?
    Yes, but they need to be supervised. We suggest a minimum age of 12. Pilgrims can adapt distances to suit their kid’s fitness and age. Full Legs can be broken up into two parts. We can tailor-make packages to suit families with children. Or, include a transport service for children and the baby-sitter to accommodation/lunch spots each day. Contact us about your family participating in Cape Camino.
  • What about laundry?
    Speak to your accommodation establishments about laundry, most of them have this service available. Many country route hosts provide clothes racks for drying clothes.
  • What about transport?
    Cape Camino doesn't offer a transport service back to your car or pick ups from the airport. Here are drivers along the route: Hendrick +27 84 793 3340 Shawn Hewit from Riebeek Valley Tours and Transfers +27 82 528 6785 or goodintentconnections@gmail.com Jeff Sillence from Velddrif +27 83 233 6015 or melanie@corecompetency.co.za Gerda from Langebaan +27 71 131 1737 For Airport transfers we suggest Wenda Aubrey C.T.I.A-TAXIS@mweb.co.za 082 555 6430 or Uber/bus. In general, you are welcome to leave your car at your starting host but its always a good idea to check with them.
  • Who's responsibility is it if something gets lost or someone gets hurt on the route?
    Yours. Each and every pilgrim is responsible for their own wellbeing and their own belongings. Take care with your gear and with walking the route. Look out for snakes, baboons and slippery areas. Cape Camino is not a company, but rather a community owned initiative. It is an attraction to the Western Cape, not a tour business. Our team may assist you organise a Camino but cannot be held responsible, nor will our partners be, for any incident that may occur. The route is a public space and it is up to you to look out for yourself. See T's&C's.
  • Cape Camino Passport
    Pilgrims carry a Cape Camino passport which gets stamped by hosts each day. A digital certificate of completion is issued upon receiving 24 or more stamps over 24 or more days. For shorter Camino itineraries pilgrims are issued with a digital badge.
  • What is a home stay/farm stay?
    From Wellington Hills to Contreberg, also known as the 'Country Route', many hosts offer farm stay and home stay type accommodation. These are pilgrim establishments where the owner has opened up their home or converted a living/sleeping/bathroom space to accommodate pilgrims. Sandvlei Farm offers a renovated school and Nuwefontein Farm has converted an old stable block to accommodate pilgrims. Mostly pilgrims will share a room with other pilgrims, unless requested otherwise.
  • Can I bring alcohol along?
    You are welcome to. However please limit the amount. For two reasons: being fresh and ready for an early start and if you are walking the country route and your package includes porterage, then for limited space in the porter service.
  • What about extra snacks?
    Our itineraries include two meals per day. Extra snacks for the course of the day is recommended.
  • Cancellation Policy
    Cape Camino hosts and suppliers are all small business owners and are paid in advance. While we understand emergencies happen last minute we cannot guarantee a refund for cancellations. Full refunds are only available when cancellation is done a minimum one month prior to the start date. Pilgrims have the option of filling their space or postponing within a 3 month period (with consent from hosts regarding new date) when cancellation is done two weeks or more before the start of their Camino. There is a 25% cancellation fee for postponing Camino dates.
  • Indemnity
    Each pilgrim signs an indemnity form which holds them responsible for themselves and their belongings when walking Cape Camino.

"A Camino experience is designed for you to explore and reflect how you are in the world."

Role Players

There are three role players in this experience

 

1. Cape Camino development and administration team.

2. The hosting community

3. The pilgrim

 

Cape Camino development team

  • Facilitates and supports a walking route based on articulated need from hosts and sacred spaces. Each host maintains sovereignty while taking ownership for their Leg. 

  • Offers opportunities for economic growth and expansion to local neighbourhoods who wish to participate in any way. 

  • Networks with other walking routes to create a walking web across the province and country.

 

Cape Camino administration team

  • Offers information on: terrain, difficulty, descriptions, details on each host. 

  • Books pilgrim dates with hosts.

  • Connects pilgrims on similar dates.

  • Offers tailor-made Camino routes on special request.

 

Hosting Community

Offers:

  • Clean, safe accommodation.

  • A variety of local food and meals. 

  • Assistance with navigation and safety.

  • Any other logistics the pilgrim might need.

 

Pilgrim

  • To Walk Your Way…

Perhaps you'd like to change something about yourself. Or simply take time away from your normal routine.  It can be used to bond with your partner or family. To heal from a loss. To meet your fellow country men and women. For a personal growth experience. It's all up to you. You walk with your own intentions and purpose, and are responsible for your own outcomes. 

 

The Spirit of Camino requires a clean slate. Be open to whatever your journey brings you. Manage your expectations and judgements. Allow the journey to offer you what it has, be it comfortable or difficult. This attitude will help you take what you need from whatever arises.

 

The Camino Spirit creates a momentum which stays with you long after you have completed the route, so keep this awareness with you.  

Cape Camino personal Pilgrim journey, walk, meditation
Paul Harris Award, Gabrielle Andrew, Cape Camino personal Pilgrim journey, walk, meditation

Paul Harris Fellow

Award presented to Gabrielle Andrew 20/11/2021

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In appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.

History and route development

Gabrielle Andrew, Cape Camino personal Pilgrim journey, walk, meditation
Peggy Andrew, Cape Camino personal Pilgrim journey, walk, meditation

The route is inspired by El Camino de Santiago in Europe.
A mother and daughter team, Gabrielle and Peggy walked Camino de Santiago in 2011 and Gabrielle was blown away by how much the broader community benefits from passing pilgrims. 
Cape Camino Peninsula section, a 7-day pilgrimage, was launched in 2015.
 
South Africa is in need of small business development and in 2016 the Department of Agriculture appointed Cape Camino to develop a route along the Berg River, into the Agritourism space. This gave rise to the extension route from Wellington to Velddrif, following the direction of the Berg River to its source in Velddrif. 
 
Another 7 days later, the Sandveld and Strand section through West Coast towns and along the coast was launched soon after. Today, in 2021 the Cape Camino is 32 days and approximately 640 kms. It is still growing. 
 
 
Gabrielle:
"I have total faith that this country is great in every way. We have endured the heart wrenching pain of separateness; the greatest lie in all humanity. And now, we shall overcome, we shall triumph, together. My skill is facilitation and my goal is to facilitate consensus within our powerful diversity. We have the same needs of decency and respect. The same needs for shelter,  employment and safety.  We need to hear our own voices, our history, our visions for the future. We all need spaces to play and work and worship.  And it is in these spaces of worship that we find Grace."


 
Peggy:
“On Camino, I found that it's OK for expectations not to be met. That unlikely people can have so much in common. That new adventures are good for my soul”

Gallery

Cape Camino Experience

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