Where dramatic cliffs plunge into turquoise seas and ancient vineyards roll into mountain wilderness, South Africa’s running routes weave through landscapes alive with penguins, baboons, and majestic elephants.
This journey carries you from Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain to private game reserves, blending world-class trails with luxurious lodges and the rich flavors of African wine country into an adventure that defies categorization.
Welcome to Cape Town! Once you arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) where we will meet you and transfer to our boutique hotel in a buzzy, pedestrian-friendly part of the city. Enjoy a nice welcome dinner on the waterfront before turning in for a long night of much-needed sleep – we’ve got a big day tomorrow!
We will begin the day with a hearty breakfast and a briefing with our guides before heading out for the big event – hiking up (and back down!) Table Mountain! At 240 million years old, Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains on earth, is home to many endemic species found nowhere else on the planet and presides over Cape Town, beckoning to all with the promise of unparalleled hiking opportunities. That evening we will enjoy a memorable sunset dinner and plenty of details about everything to come in the week ahead!
After breakfast we’ll head a few minutes down the road to the start of our run, a point-to-point cliff top trail run featuring spectacular ocean views every single (technical) step of the way – expect to be out for several hours, and bring a camera!
The finish line is a lovely local cafe where you’ll have time to relax before continuing our journey on to Storms River, a tiny village located amid the thick forests and rugged gorges of Tsitsikamma National Park. Settle in, this is home for the next two nights!
Wake up to the sound of the birds (and probably some troublemaking troops of baboons) in Storm’s River, the adventure epicenter of the Garden Route. After breakfast we’ll head a few minutes down to the coastline for a morning spent running, scrambling, hiking and boulder hopping along a short stretch of the famously beautiful (and technical!) Otter Trail until we reach a waterfall cascading directly into the ocean – make sure to take whale and dolphin-spotting breaks!
From there we’ll wander over to the mouth of Storms River itself, a place where the river meets the sea and a swinging suspension bridge provides a bird’s eye view of it all. We’ll have lunch just nearby before heading back to the village where everyone will have the chance to join an afternoon canopy tour through the indigenous forest and then kick back for a cozy home-cooked potjie dinner prepared by our very own crew.
Wake up early (or don’t) for a pre-breakfast run through the surrounding forest before hitting the road towards the grand finale of our adventure – the Addo Elephant National Park! Addo was created in 1931 as a sanctuary for 11 remaining elephants, and is now home to over 600 of them, along with cape buffalo, lions, zebras and black rhinos. We’ll transfer to open air safari vehicles and explore the reserve in hopes of spotting as many of these animals as possible before the sun goes down – astonishingly close elephant encounters are pretty much guaranteed! After that we’ll clean up and get settled at a gorgeous lodge before gathering for a very special final dinner together.
If you were to combine the best features of all our destinations into one location, the result would be South Africa. This run tour offers endless kilometers of trails to explore, cliffs plunging into the ocean, rugged mountains, idyllic vineyards, turquoise seas, sandy beaches, copious wildlife, and a fascinating mix of cultures found nowhere else.
Most importantly, it provides an off-the-beaten-track feel that lends itself to unique experiences that can only be discovered in person while running in South Africa.
The price includes pre-trip communication & guidance, airport transfers, all accommodation, all meals & snacks, water, wine tasting, transportation, drivers, experienced running guides, organized supported runs, a canopy tour, safari drives, all permits / entry fees, and Rogue Expeditions swag.
In short, almost everything is covered from the moment you land until you depart your South African running adventure!
Airfare is not included in the price to allow for flexibility in travel arrangements. Participants are responsible for booking their travel and ensuring they arrive in Cape Town no later than 3pm on the first day and depart Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha no earlier than 2pm on the final day of the running tour.
We’ll provide suggestions and guidance once you’re signed up for the South Africa run tour.
While South Africa has a reputation for high crime rates in certain areas, our run tours are designed with your safety in mind. We partner with local logistics experts who are also avid runners and know the area intimately.
The trails we use are selected for both amazing views and security. By using common sense and following basic precautions, the vast majority of travelers on our South Africa running tours encounter no issues whatsoever.
Menus will showcase a diverse mix of regional specialties and traditions. Breakfasts offer a range of hearty cooked and lighter continental options. Lunches include picnics and cafes with fresh, healthy choices. Dinners feature a mix of restaurants and home-cooked meals, including a traditional South African braai (BBQ) and potjie (made by one of our local hosts!). Excellent seafood is abundant.
Most dietary requirements can be accommodated – just let us know in advance.
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