TANKWA CAMINO

The Tankwa Camino

The Tankwa Camino is a contemporary version of the "Great Trek", which will guide participants through one of the most stunning areas of our country, the Tankwa Karoo.

To succeed in this challenging journey, you will need inner strength, a strong mind, and emotional intelligence. As Jim Rohn said, "Your emotions need to be as educated as your intellect. It is important to know how to feel, respond, and let life in... so that it can touch you." The Camino is considered a test of physical endurance and a spiritual pilgrimage.

Hiking the Camino, the Tankwa desert will intoxicate you for ten days as you walk through one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Africa. This landscape is so unique that it will make you realise God's presence in all the details.

The Tankwa desert is a place where time and distance seem to stretch out endlessly. Every turn brings a new and astonishing panorama, and the horizons seem to dance and disappear. However, as the sun sets, the flat, harsh, grey and brown tones give way to beautiful reds, purples, and chocolate browns. At that magical hour, you will vow to return.

Your epic Camino journey will take you through vastly different landscapes, a journey that many can only imagine. This experience will stay with you long after you've shaken the Karoo dust from your hiking gear.

The challenge of hiking an average of 27 km per day for 10 days straight can test any hiker's abilities. It's a journey of self-discovery and a chance to experience the region's vastness, sheltered by mountain ranges and offering serene silence that will reverberate in your ears. You'll cross the boundary between two provinces on the longest gravel road in South Africa, which connects two adjoining towns. Safety and old-world hospitality are integral to the Tankwa and its people. With even the slightest bit of rain, the scorched earth transforms into a theatre of floral beauty.

PLEASE NOTE:

Tankwa Camino Pty Ltd management has decided to change Tankwa Camino's route starting in 2024 because the road through Karoo Poort (R355) carries much traffic and has become unsafe.

The new route stretches from Calvinia to "OP DIE BERG" The changed route is the OU TREKPAD from the KOUE BOKKEVELD to the Tankwa Karoo. Winter times are cold, and there is less food for the animals. That is why the farmers moved to the warmer part of the Tankwa Karoo. Today, they farm largely with apples, pears and plums in the valley. At the white bridge just after the Tankwa Padstal, we turn right and walk over the KATBAKKIES PAS through the Koue Bokkeveld valley to a small town, " OP DIE BERG." The number of walking days "may" change from 10 to 9 or remain the same. The mileage "may" change. We have already laid out the route and started our planning. The new route is to be confirmed.

Tankwa Camino Travelling Distance Information:

Day, Distance, From, Waypoint, To, Waypoint

1, 22.5,Calvinia, S31°47.532' E19°77.174', Boskloof, S31°38.741' E19°44.347'

2, 28.2, Boskloof, S31°38.741' E19°44.347', Kleinbrak, S31°51.652' E19°44.683'

3, 27.2, Kleinbrak, S31°51.652' E19°44.683', Witkloof, S32°04.512' E19°41.994'

4, 26.3, Witkloof, S32°04.512' E19°41.994', Onder-Stompiesfontein, S32°17.350' E19°39.671'

5, 28.3, Onder-Stompiesfontein, S32°17.350' E19°39.671', Witwalle, S32°31.481' E19°41.471'

6, 29.1, Witwalle, S32°31.481' E19°41.471', Grootdam, S32°46.503' E19°44.819'

7, 27.3, Grootdam, S32°46.503' E19°44.819', Beukesfontein, S33°00.455' E19°46.268'

8, 21.3, Beukesfontein, S33°00.455' E19°46.268', Karoopoort, S33°13.081' E19°42.207'

9, 31.4, Karoopoort, S33°13.081' E19°42.207', Rhodona, S33°17.916' E19°26.079'

10,15, Rhodona, S33°17.916' E19°26.079', Ceres, S33°21.555' E19°18.325'

Total = 256.6Km

T

and C's

PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION IS ONLY OFFICIAL ONCE DEPOSIT HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND IS MADE ON A FIRST-PAID, FIRST-SERVED BASIS!

A 50% deposit needs to be paid with registration to secure your place. (Payment will be required within two weeks at this point). The remaining amount will be collected 3 months ahead of the event.

If you have registered during the previous year, your registration fee will be adjusted according to the calculated tariff for your specific trail.

Payment details (including an information pack with all the information you need about the Tankwa Camino) will be made available upon registration.

Confirmed dates for 2023

1 - 10 September

R 6285 pp.

Confirmed dates for 2024

17 - 26 May

R 7600 pp.

Fees include the following:

Meet-and-greet dinner on the evening before the event
Transport your belongings along the route
Support vehicles and a team that travels with hikers
Coffee/tea/milk/sugar in the early morning and after dinner
Snacks upon arrival at base camp each day (Boere high tea)
Dinner daily of potjiekos or braai, pot bread with kaiings/dripping (if available), syrup & homemade jams
Hot water will be available on arrival at each overnight camp for washing purposes. You collect your own water out of the heating pots but are limited to 5 liters per day. No showers are allowed.
Daily drinking water allowance
Tankwa Camino certificate

All above is subject to change due to COVID-19 regulations.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

No transport before, during or after the event is included in the fee.

Transfers from Cape Town Airport to Calvinia and Ceres to Calvinia can be arranged upon request - the price will depend on demand.

Transport fees are subject to change annually.

Your Guest House stays are not included in the Fees.

**If you have registered during the previous year, your registration fee, t-shirt and tent-pegs fees will be adjusted according to the calculated tariff for your specific trail.**

Please contact us for our most recent rates

*If hiker prefers to move from one hike to another, a request must be made within two months before the event

registered for. Hikers will only get one chance to move from one hike to another. No refunds will be made after hiker cancels for a second time.

Our cancellation policy is as listed below (R50 admin fee will apply to ALL refunds):

Cancellation made 3+ months ahead of event - 50% Refund

Cancellation made within 2 months of event - 25% Refund

Cancellation made within less than 2 months of event - 0% Refund

If a hiker prefers to move from one hike to another, a request must be made within two months before the event is registered for. Hikers will only get one chance to move from one hike to another. No refunds will be made after hiker cancels for a second time.

Please contact us for our most recent rates.