Cape Fold Mountains, 50 Passes in 9 days
Overview
Ok, you found me out. The pass in the picture is not in South Africa, it is in Morocco and you can drive it with me on a different tour…
However we are blessed with a spectacular country with mountain ranges, and therefor hundreds of passes. On this tour we follow the Cape fold mountains from the Cederberg area all the way around to the ADDO national park.
The tour is designed in such a way that we arrive early in our camp after a day of passes, for you to have time to visit a local attraction like a wine farm or olive farm or famous place or restaurant. Or even go for a game drive.
We start our tour in the Cederberg, you will notice the same rock formations for the whole trip as we follow the ancient Cape Fold Mountains. Cederberg, Wellington, Barrydale, Prince Albert, Knysna, Baviaans, ADDO.
We will explore 50 mountain passes, with a total of 512km in the passes, a combined vertical component of more than 12 km. ( That is the difference between the low point and high point of each pass. )
We drive the oldest unmodified pass, the longest pass, the first pass ever built in South Africa.
I will tell you about the Bain father and son influence on road construction in SA. If your surname was Bain, and you saw a mountain, you built a pass. Thomas Bain was responsilble for more than 40 passes in SA in the mid 1800’s
The route will be a comfortable driving route for the first few days, 4×2 welcome for the first section. But then we will turn in to the Baviaanskloof and on to ADDO where only 4×4 will be allowed for the last section. So you may break away after the 40th pass, Prince Alfred pass, if you wish.
This is a great route and I have spent more time on research than even my Serengeti tour.
Join me on this incredible experience.

The Itinerary
Day 1.
We all make our way to the starting point of our journey, the Cederberg mountains near the Cederberg wine estate, They have great wines if you wanted to go for a wine tasting in the afternoon. Join me here for our first night.
Day 2.
After breakfast we start our journey and head south towards the Wellington area. Today we have 8 passes on our schedule, we arrive and camp near Wellington with many olive farms and wine farms around.
Day 3.
After breakfast we turn east and we have another 8 passes lined up for the day, including crossing the oldest single span stone arch bridge in South Africa. ( recent floods have closed it but we will see if it open in a years time. )We make our way along the Langberge and finally stop for camp at Bontebok national park for the night.
Day 4.
After breakfast we start our day with one of Thomas Bain’s top passes. He has built some of the best passes in SA.
We stop in Barrydale for a bit of a feel for the town. Then on to the Swartberge. We camp at the foot of the Swartberge after the 7 passes of the day including the Seweweekspoort.
Day 5.
We drive the Swarberg pass, lunch in Prince Albert and then Meieringspoort on our way to the coast where we camp near George.
Day 6.
From here several passes for the day through the Knysna area with loads of history, finally up with Prince Alfred pass heading for the entry in to Baviaanskloof.
This is where the 4×4 section starts and you may break away here after we have done 40 passes already.
Day 7.
We take the day to drive through the Baviaanskloof. It is a casual day and we stop for coffee and lunch in the kloof during the day. Once we are out we head towards our campsite for the night.
Day 8.
We pack our gear and head off to Addo first thing in the morning. We enter the park and sleep on the Bedrogfontein route for a lovely peacefull night.
Day 9.
We start the splendid Bedrogfontein eco route. The route takes us through and over some of the most spectacular mountains with incredible flora. The route is a 4×4 route and requires low range, but that is more for managing your speed on rocky river beds and steep mountain passes. The 4×4 driving is not very technical. Once done we exit the park and this is where our tour ends.
We end on the R400 near a small community of Waterford, where the Sundays river crosses the R400. It will be about 2 pm. I am heading north to Cradock if you want to join me you are welcome. If you are heading to the Cape you might want to break to the south heading to the N2 Jeffreys bay area.
Day 10.
After my Cradock night I head back to JHB at first light.
Tour specific comments
Vehicle:
For the first section a vehicle with high ground clearance will work. Once we enter Baviaanskloof a normal 4×4 with low range as you buy them from the shop floor. No special kit required.
Drivers:
No experience required, I personally guide the tour and will give you everything you need as we go.
Towing:
We are driving passes so try to be sensible. You may bring your off road trailer, no Caravans.
Other:
We will drive all the passes at a slow pace to enjoy the pass, we will often stop for the view or coffee or lunch. We will not rush the passes.
