A Pilgrim’s Mindset
A pilgrimage, according to many disciplines, is a space to cleanse. It is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about themselves, others, nature, or higher good, through the experience.
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To turn a walk into a pilgrimage, set the intention to do so. Know that the unexpected will occur, things may not go according to plan, and you will be tested and challenged throughout. But most of all, keep your awareness: of how you feel, what you think, how you react.
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Suggested resources before you walk
Journals by Cape Camino pilgrims
Book: Art of Pilgrimage by Phil Coussineau
Film: The Way
Cape Camino Itineraries
When you book Cape Camino you have chosen to walk with the help of a pre booked itinerary. This does not make the experience an organised hike or tour. It is still a personal pilgrimage and you are responsible for your own experience.
Hosts, who offer you logistics, prefer to receive pilgrim bookings through our team- since we have built strong and meaningful relationships with them over many years. This is why it is currently not possible to book with hosts directly, as you go.
Any logistics over and above the basics that have been pre booked, are up to you to arrange.
Once you have been sent your itinerary, it is your responsibility to contact hosts. Hosts are your emergency contacts on the route and if unexpected challenges arise they can assist.
Due to the nature of their daily lives and businesses, unexpected changes may arise and there may be changes to your itinerary. Hosts may also be slow to respond, please be patient and give them time.
Sacred Spaces
Cape Camino is anchored by diverse sacred spaces and is inclusive to all.
These sites keep you safe on your journey and offer a spiritual element to your personal pilgrimage. They are listed on Cape Camino <Google My Maps> on our Route page.
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Go explore and see which ones interest you. They are all optional to visit. Use the afternoons to explore these sites or during the day's walk.
Some sites include: Shrines, Kramats, Churches, temples, First People caves, Labyrinths, viewpoints and other natural sacred spaces.
There are considerably more sacred sites on the Peninsula route than on the Country route.
Pilgrim Passport
Your Camino passport is valid for as long as it takes you to get all your stamps.
Stamp locations are at Cape Camino hosts (mostly establishments and some pop-ups).
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If an establishment does not have a stamp for some reason, please let your chaperone know. A signature is also valid.
Whatsapp Group
You will be added to a WhatsApp group a few weeks before your Camino. This is a way for the group to stay connected with each other and share travel arrangements and other details during Camino.
Our team will also be on the group and will use your photos on social media unless you indicate you don’t want this. Remember, your hosts are your first point of call on Camino and can help with logistics.
Cape Camino Forum
A safe space online to share pics, connect with other pilgrims, invite pilgrims to join you, offer and receive advice. All on Facebook.
We encourage you to use the Forum as much as possible, to assist creating an organic and true flow of information.
Solitude and socialising with hosts and other pilgrims
Cape Camino hosts welcome you into their spaces as guests. They are eager to please- if you would like quiet time or a meal alone, please ask for it. They are aware of what it means to be on Camino, but can sometimes not help being so friendly.
There is no expectation to socialise if you do not want to. Practice setting boundaries and politely excuse yourself. Please respect hosts boundaries if they too prefer to politely decline socialising. The same applies to socialising with other pilgrims.
Accommodation Establishments
Clean and safe hosting facilities include home stays, farm stays, backpackers, lofts, guesthouses, beach cottage, private rentals. Each host is different and unique.
The Route page offers more information about stopovers.
Home stays and farm stays: These are pilgrim establishments where residents on the route have opened their homes to accommodate passing pilgrims. On the rare occasion you will share a bathroom with the family, however this will be made known to you in your itinerary.
Most times you will share a room with other pilgrims, unless you have requested a private room. The establishment can be compared to a boutique ‘albergue’ on Camino de Santiago.
​Private rooms are available on request and for an additional fee. Bathrooms will still be shared at most establishments.
Chaperones
Unique to Cape Camino, on some days a chaperone is required for extra safety and navigation. Other days do not require or have a chaperone. On these days use your maps provided and the route should be marked by your host.
Where applicable chaperones will meet you at first light in summer. It gets very hot and we advise you to stick with this timing. For the cooler winter months please chat to chaperones about your set-off time.
If your Camino falls on a public holiday/weekend please be patient with
chaperones that have to travel to meet you. Public transport can delay their movements. If you’d like to offer to arrange a lift for them with a local driver or host so that they can be there earlier, you are encouraged to do so. Use the transport information above to arrange.
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The chaperones role is to assist with safety and navigation.
They, as well as your hosts, are your points of call when on Camino, however, cannot solve all your problems and are not responsible for your experience. They are not history experts. They are not there to carry your bag. They walk at a steady pace. They respect your time on Camino. If you are running late please contact them and if you decide to leave early or take a rest day, please let them know.
Gratuity is welcome and appreciated either as a tip or as a coffee or snack on route. When tipping, pilgrims gift from R100-R500 but this is totally up to you.
Maps
Maps are created for each day by pilgrims and by hosts on the route. You will get these maps in your itinerary. Please feel free to share your maps with us after each day.
If you choose to walk ahead and are comfortable using a map, please go ahead. ​
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The Peninsula section has its own eBook with detailed maps for each day. We recommend also getting a Slingsby map of the Cape Peninsula.
Google Maps
​The entire route is marked on Google Maps which is on our Route page.
Many pilgrims like to walk at their own pace. If you walk faster than the chaperone and other pilgrims and prefer to go ahead, use Google Maps to navigate. ​
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You’ll need a local sim card with data and the Google Maps App. When loading it, select the ‘walk’ option.
Google Maps works offline and shows you your live location in the form of a blue dot. You can zoom in and out to see distance and terrain ahead, as well as where your end location is. You can even navigate through sand dunes and along foot paths.
Please bear in mind that Google Maps will sometimes try to suggest main roads, which is far from ideal and the route is mostly off-road along beautiful natural areas. It’s advisable to use your discretion, and the advice of the chaperones, to help plan your route, if you prefer to walk ahead.
Signage
There is limited signage along the route. Hosts are constantly putting up signs, please feel free to assist.
On some days the route is well marked.
Transport
Cape Camino doesn't offer transport services or pick ups, but we’ve connected with drivers along the route who can all collect from the airport and Cape Town surrounds.
​Winelands
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Shawn Hewit from Riebeek Valley Tours and Transfers 082 528 6785 or goodintentconnections@gmail.com
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Theresa from Blou Porcelein in Hermon 082 378 7595 theresa@swartlandmail.co.za (Theresa also offers pick up onthe route if there’s an emergency or you are tired)​​​
Sandveld & Strand
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Ammie Liebenberg, Laaiplek 078 793 7302
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Jeff Sillence from Velddrif 083 233 6015 or melanie@corecompetency.co.za
West Coast
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Niel Bumblebee Taxi Service, Langebaan 076 084 7981
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Gerda from Langebaan 071 131 1737
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Bel n Pel Dial n Buddy Saldanha Bay 071 034 9254
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Jean de Bruyn Saldanha Bay 060 874 1195
Peninsula
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Mavis 060 789 0391
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Marius 079 486 4228
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Deno Farmer (luggage transfer only) 071 142 1181
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In general, you are welcome to leave your car at your starting host but its always a good idea to check with them.
Meals
Your hosts provide 2 meals per day, a supper and a packed breakfast (except the Peninsula where only breakfast is provided). This is usually enough for pilgrims, however, if you are a unique eater or enjoy a little extra, please pack your own snacks.
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Please bring along your own special dietary substitutes such as milk alternatives. ​
Lunch is for your own arrangement.
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Towns where you can buy lunch: Hermon, Riebeek Kasteel, RiebeekWest, Tulbagh, Koringberg, Aurora, Redelinghuys, Elands Bay,Dwarskersbos, Velddrif, St Helena Bay, Paternoster, Jacobs Bay, SaldahnaBay, Langebaan, the entire Cape Peninsula except Smitswinkel.
There are farm stalls and 'pad-stals' scattered throughout the route where you may be able to purchase biltong, cooldrinks and other dried goods.
Some hosts offer lunch at an extra cost. They require at least 1 week warning to provide this meal since many of them only do grocery shopping once per week. Settle with them directly.
Water
Pilgrims carry on average 3L of water with them per day. You can fill up on route at hosts.
Snacks ideas
Nuts, protein bars, cup of soup, instant oats, biltong.
Alcohol
You are welcome to bring your own wine/beer along. Please limit the amount due to carrying capacity of luggage transfer and for the sake of being up early and having long distances to walk. Some hosts do provide drinks with meals and some may offer you wine/beer for your
account. We encourage wine sales on the wine route from Paardeberg to Koringberg.
Training
Please follow a sufficient training plan weeks before your Camino.
Practise both long distance and incline walking. <Download Fitness Guide Here>
Include 3 consecutive days of 15km per day in your training.
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It is advisable to mentally prepare yourself for challenges and
difficulties. A Camino is not a holiday.
Packing
Essential items to remember to pack
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Insect repellant, especially for a Camino in the spring and summer months.
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Earplugs if you are a sensitive sleeper. Spaces are shared unless you have booked otherwise. Couples will usually have a private room.
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A lunchbox for your packed breakfast (an eco-friendly option to using plastic every day). A suitable size is one that fits a yoghurt cup.
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You will carry a daypack and in it we suggest: enough water for 5 hours of walking, your lunch box, a snack,sunblock, a hat, wind sheeter, plasters, painkillers, camera, cell phone, journal. A towel.
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A few clothes pegs to hang up your towel and other washing. A portable washing line is also a good idea.
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A sheet and pillow case for extra comfort. Sleeping bags not essential but recommended for winter months.​
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Warm clothes for the evenings.
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Cash for your journey. We recommend between R200-R500 per day. This could be for cool drinks, beer and wine,tips.
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Vix and/or coconut oil for blisters.
Laundry
Speak to hosts on arrival about laundry for a fee. This is arranged by you. Or, bring some hand washing powder along and in true pilgrim style wash as you go.
​Deb Shucka who walked the full route writes:
“The first laundry services were available on Day 7. After that it was possible every 5 or 6 days, sometimes every other day. Because tumble driers are rarely used, getting things dry was a challenge, especially if I arrived later in the day. The only thing that was of real concern was socks because it was impossible to get them clean by hand (sand, dust, grit).
So if you bring extra socks, and wash underwear by hand (or bring extra), it’s possible to go more than a week. Sweating wasn’t a big concern, so I hung my clothes out to air at the end of a walking day, and they were good to go the next day. A couple of times I washed tops by hand because I was wearing the same thing every day. Most hosts would not take payment, but accepted tips for the workers who did the laundry. Because I checked my bag, and didn’t need to use travel sizes, I did not need to buy additional toiletries along the way.”
Cape Camino Books
A project initiated by one of our chaperones, Hanti Badenhorst.
Books are given to local children in an effort to raise literacy in rural areas. If you would like to contribute, please bring children’s books along in your backpack.
Magazines are also appreciated (in Afrikaans if possible).
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Or buy books in Wellington at Book Traders 14 Burger St,Wellington, 7655, Hester +27 72 997 4813.
Disclaimer
Do your own research ahead of time; on the area, the terrain, the weather, or any other information that may be of interest to you. This is neither a tour, nor a hike. It is a pilgrimage and our services are to assist you with your logistics.
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Cape Camino is South Africa's community owned national asset. It is a personal pilgrimage, from a personal perspective, creating a personal experience. We recommend a letting go process, full participation and a metamorphosis. Observe too, your delayed response after your Camino experience. It is not an organised hike or tour.
Each pilgrim signs an indemnity form before their Camino which holds them responsible for any loss of property or injury.
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How do I walk Cape Camino?See the BOOK page on how to get walking.
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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.
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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.
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TrainingWe 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cape Camino PassportPilgrims 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.
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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.
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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.
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What about extra snacks?Our itineraries include two meals per day. Extra snacks for the course of the day is recommended.
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Cancellation PolicyCape 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.
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IndemnityEach pilgrim signs an indemnity form which holds them responsible for themselves and their belongings when walking Cape Camino.
Journals
Read real pilgrim experiences