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.
