Hi Folks,
Planning a 6-week family climbing vacation with 4 and 7-year olds who want to "see the savanna". Wondering about best/tolerable/worst seasons for areas in SA and Namibia. We're experienced climbers--I prefer trad but am open minded. Any advice regarding nice spots to combine climbing and family-style adventures would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for giving it a thought,
Deon.
Planning Climbing Vacation from Canada
- Nic Le Maitre
- Posts: 1382
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:40 am
- Real Name: Nic Le Maitre
- Location: Stellenbosch
Re: Planning Climbing Vacation from Canada
Hi there
So definitely winter in Namibia (April-August), Spitzkoppe is THE climbing destination there. It's a few hours drive from Windhoek. From there you can easily then head north to Etosha etc.
Winter for the northern part of the country is probably the better time too and for game viewing as its the dry season, the grass has died and the animals are concentrated at the remaining water. It's cold in the mornings (not Canada cold -5C to 5C) but rapidly warms by around 0900 to around 20C. Waterval Boven is the premier climbing destination in the north but it is mostly sport.
The best trad in the country is in the Western Cape, with country climbing in the various ranges and fantastic shorter (2-5 pitch) climbing in Cape Town and the Cederberg (Wolfberg, Tafelberg, Krakadouw). Winter however is the wet season in the Cape, with lots of rain. It rains less in the Cederberg than it does in Cape Town most of the crags are south facing and therefore shady, making the climbing very cold.
So definitely winter in Namibia (April-August), Spitzkoppe is THE climbing destination there. It's a few hours drive from Windhoek. From there you can easily then head north to Etosha etc.
Winter for the northern part of the country is probably the better time too and for game viewing as its the dry season, the grass has died and the animals are concentrated at the remaining water. It's cold in the mornings (not Canada cold -5C to 5C) but rapidly warms by around 0900 to around 20C. Waterval Boven is the premier climbing destination in the north but it is mostly sport.
The best trad in the country is in the Western Cape, with country climbing in the various ranges and fantastic shorter (2-5 pitch) climbing in Cape Town and the Cederberg (Wolfberg, Tafelberg, Krakadouw). Winter however is the wet season in the Cape, with lots of rain. It rains less in the Cederberg than it does in Cape Town most of the crags are south facing and therefore shady, making the climbing very cold.
Happy climbing
Nic
Nic
Re: Planning Climbing Vacation from Canada
There's this, and then the Climb Angola festival is the week after:

https://climbangola.com/climbing-festival

https://climbangola.com/climbing-festival
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- Posts: 1769
- Joined: Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:32 pm
- Real Name: Willem Boshoff
- Location: Cape Town
Re: Planning Climbing Vacation from Canada
April - May will give you the best chance of mild, dry weather and a variety of experiences.
Good options are combining Kruger National Park with Waterval Boven (Mpumalanga) and visit Blyde River Canyon while you're in the hood.
The Western Cape offers a wider variety of climbing and other experiences but lacks the quintessential African encounter of the Big 5 in thorny bush and savanna. The Cederberg offers world-class climbing (bouldering, trad and sport) and Cape Town & Montagu are both worthwhile.
Spitzkoppe is incredible on all accounts but the climbing isn't family friendly. You can also check out climbing areas just across the border that are reachable by car from Cape Town.
Good options are combining Kruger National Park with Waterval Boven (Mpumalanga) and visit Blyde River Canyon while you're in the hood.
The Western Cape offers a wider variety of climbing and other experiences but lacks the quintessential African encounter of the Big 5 in thorny bush and savanna. The Cederberg offers world-class climbing (bouldering, trad and sport) and Cape Town & Montagu are both worthwhile.
Spitzkoppe is incredible on all accounts but the climbing isn't family friendly. You can also check out climbing areas just across the border that are reachable by car from Cape Town.