South Africa has abundant climbing in every province with great opportunity for further development. We are fortunate to have some world class bouldering, sport and trad climbing with great weather to add.
Sport climbing is a form of rock climbing that may rely on permanent anchors fixed to the rock for protection, in which a rope that is attached to the climber is clipped into the anchors to arrest a fall. This includes lead and top rope climbing.
Traditional (or trad) climbing, is a style of rock climbing in which a climber or group of climbers place all gear required to protect against falls, and remove it when a pitch is complete.
Bouldering is a form of free climbing that is performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or harnesses. It involves climbing short distances with a crash pad underneath as protection.
Quick Links
Route Guides
Our friends at theCrag.com have built an incredible website and are the world’s largest collaborative rock climbing and bouldering platform. We share the theCrag’s beliefs in that information about climbing areas should not be owned by individuals but by the community of climbers. This index is built collaboratively by climbers around the world.
If you are looking for route guides, want to keep a climbing log book or are able to add routes, descriptions, topos, and images for the crags you know well, this is the platform for you.
Route Guides by Province:
- Limpopo/ Northern Province Northwest Province Gauteng Mpumalanga
- Kwa-Zulu Natal Free State Western Cape Eastern Cape Northern Cape
Popular Route Guides:
For our avid pebble wrestlers we have partnered with Bouldering Cape Town, their mission is to discover and document boulders to climb in Cape Town, South Africa.
This free resource website provides bouldering guides/Topos and an opportunity to contribute new boulders or updates to upload for others to climb.
MCSA | Guides
The Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) was founded in 1891 in Cape Town, and is the only mountain club in Africa that is affiliated to the world mountaineering body, the UIAA. The MCSA offers mountaineering which includes climbing of all types and hiking opportunities to its members and is involved in mountain search and rescue, training, conservation of mountain areas and procurement of access for mountaineering across all provinces in South Africa. With sectors in each province, being a member of MCSA not only allows you access to some of SA’s most pristine areas, but you are apart of a community of like minded individuals that care and conserve these beautiful places. Each sector hosts monthly hiking and climbing meets.
All phone numbers are the emergency numbers that can be contacted in case of a mountain rescue emergency (primary numbers are in bold). Please specifically state that you are calling regarding a ‘Mountain Rescue Emergency’. The primary cities from which the teams operate are shown in italics. Where a provincial coordination centre that uses MCSA Search and Rescue as a resource exist, the number of the provincial coordination centre is given as the priority contact number.
The MCSA does not charge for rescues, helicopter flight criteria applies, MCSA SAR reserves the right to perform its own assessment of incidents and may transfer incidents to more appropriate agencies or request additional assistance, assistance is dependent on resource availability, resources provided on a volunteer basis.
Your Guide:
Gavin Raubenheimer
Qualifications:
- Registered South African Cultural and Nature Guide (level 4)
- MDT certified Mountaineeriing Instructor
- NQF National Mountaineering (level 7)
- Convener of Mountain Rescue for KZN
We are passionate about mountains! It’s what we do every day, with safety and care. Do you want to improve your mountain skills?
Come train with us and get a MDT training and award. Rock climbing, ice climbing and Mountain Walking courses. Gavin Raubenheimer is an MDT Mountaineering Instructor and NQF Assessor & Trainer and can teach all the skills you need.
1 on 1 Adventures is a specialised service offered by an adventurous sports coach looking to make a bigger difference in the lives of children, parents and adults. Specialised climbing training and skills development – Based in Randburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
Your Guides:
Ryan Peel
Qualifications:
Founder and cheif instructor of 1on1Adventures
- Registered South African Tourist Guide
- MDT Multi Pitch Rock Climbing Supervisor
- MDT Wall Climbing and Single Pitch Rock Climbing Supervisor
- Professional Drivers Permit (PDP)
- MDT Basic Mountain Walking Guide <2400m asl
- MDT Abseil Supervisor
- First Aid Level 3 (First On Scene)
Nicholas Meinel
Qualifications:
- High Performance and Competition Climbing Coach
- Full Time Climbing Coach
Josh Greaves
Qualifications:
- High Performance and Competition Climbing Coach
Offwidth’s team of facilitators, guides and coaches are here to help you as an individual, you as a departmental team, you as an organisation, to creatively analyse your way through these awkward spaces, finding the mental power to move beyond the ”offwidth
Qualifications:
- DEAT Registered South African Adventure Guide
- MDT Wall Climbing Supervisor
- First Aid Certified
We will give you expert instruction and guidance at every level, whether it is your first time climbing or you are already an accomplished climber.
Join us for a great day out and experience some of the best rock climbing in South Africa.
Your Guide:
Justin Lawson
Qualifications:
- Registered South African Adventure Guide
- First aid certified
- Fully insured for operating as a climbing/abseil guide
Founded in 2007, based out of Cape Town, South Africa, Vertigo has specialised in Southern African Mountain-Adventure Experiences from Rock Climbing and hiking Table Mountain to extended Drakensberg Treks and most everything in between.
Your Guide:
Mario Maulicino
Qualifications:
- Experience based
Brigitte Pegado, qualified mountain guide and certified adventure-seeker, is delighted to present Climbable – a brand-new outdoor adventure organisation. With ample experience in both the mountains and the classroom, Brigitte is the ideal mentor to guide you through the fundamentals of enjoying epic and (most importantly) safe outdoor escapades.
From climbing technique and mindset, to rope management, tradding and emergency skills, Climbable will equip you to become an independent, confident, capable and reliable adventurer.
www.climbable.co.za Email: info@climbable.co.za
WhatsApp: +27 (0)84 448 4848
Your Guides:
Ross Suter
Qualifications:
-Founder and member of the South African Mountain Guides Association
-MDT-accredited training provider.
Kai Fitchen
Qualifications:
-NQF/AQN Mountain, Trekking, Multi-pitch Rock Climbing leader
-MDT Mountain Guide specialized in Abseiling and Multi-pitch rock climbing leader.
Megan Beaumont
Qualifications:
-MDT Multipitch Rock Supervisor
-AQN Multipitch Rock Guide
Tony Lourens has been involved in climbing and mountaineering for over 40 years and has climbed, trekked and guided extensively in many countries around the world. He is passionate about all things climbing and loves to explore new places and climb in as many different areas as possible. Tony has been a guide and instructor in mountaineering, climbing and trekking since 1992 and has guided numerous nationalities from around the world, as well as many locals, and enjoys a very high success rate and a 100% safety record.
Your Guide: Tony Lourens
Qualifications:
NQF level 4 Adventure Guide: Rock climbing, multi-pitch trad, Advanced mountain walking.
Region: All of South Africa
Climb Table Mountain is a premier climbing and hiking agency based in Cape Town, offering Trad and Sport climbing as well as hiking experiences on Table Mountain as well as throughout the Cederberg, and Montagu. Kai Fitchen’s goal is to provide a unique and rewarding experience for visitors of all skill levels, with expert guidance and knowledge of the area. Safety is their top priority, and they take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Climb Table Mountain offers instructional courses, half and full day trips as well as multi-day rock adventures.
Your Guide:
Kai Fitchen
Qualifications:
- Qualified as an NQF/AQN Mountain, Trekking, Multi-pitch Rock Climbing leader
- MDT Mountain Guide specialized in Abseiling and Multi-pitch rock climbing leader
Big SKy Adventures offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, canyoning, kloofing, rock climbing and ice climbing!
https://bigskyadventures.co.za/
Your Guides:
Neil Margetts
Qualifications:
- NQF Unit Standard 9283 Abseil Guide up to 60m height.
- NQF Unit Standard 9282 Abseil Guide up to 150m height.
- NQF Unit Standard 9286 Full Rock-Climbing Guide, multi-pitch trad with unlimited scope.
- NQF Unit Standard 9287 Full Canyoneering Guide, unlimited scope including multi-day canyons.
- NQF Unit Standard 9288 Full Mountain Walking Guide, unlimited scope including off-trail, overnight and steep ground.
- NQF Unit Standard 9287 Canyoning Guide.
Samuel Chowles
Qualifications:
- NQF Unit Standard 9283 Abseil Guide up to 60m height.
- NQF Unit Standard 9284 Single Pitch Rock-Climbing Guide, including trad climbing.
Based in beautiful Cape Town, on the Southern Tip of Africa, since 1994.
Venture Forth is your leading specialist in the African adventure industry.
Adventure trips & tours – Outdoor education – Adventure guide training & qualifications – Adventure skills development.
https://www.ventureforth.co.za/
Your Guides:
Jeremy Colenso
Qualifications:
-Jeremy is one of the few people in the country who has completed all the pre-requisites for joining the IFMGA. He now holds the International Mountain Leader qualification.
Arie van Wijk
Qualifications:
Joined in 2014, Arie is a registered adventure guide, instructor, as well as a registered medic (BAA). Favourite adventures are traditional climbing, hiking and has a soft spot for wild flower (orchids).
Gary Storm
Qualifications:
Joined in 2020, Gary is a registered guide who specialises in facilitating the GASG process for the guide school. His favourite adventure styles are ice-climbing and traditional climbing.
Be you a nature lover, a casual walker, a regular mountain climber, or a specialist rock climber, Ross Suter can help you find what you are looking for in the Cape Town area, or South Africa and Namibia.
https://www.highadventure.co.za/
Your Guides:
Ross Suter
Qualifications:
-Founder and member of the South African Mountain Guides Association
-MDT-accredited training provider.
Indoor Climbing
All indoor competition sport climbing in South Africa is governed by the South African National Climbing Federation(SANCF).
Competition Sport Climbing involves lead climbing, bouldering and speed climbing on artificial climbing environments. SANCF oversees competitive climbing across the country as well as the promotion and development of the sport through its provincial Sport Climbing bodies. SANCF is affiliated to the world body International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) with full member status, and SASCOC.
Each province has a dedicated Sport Climbing body that manages their local Climbing Clubs and provincial competitions.
Provincial and National South African climbing colours can be achieved. SANCF sends qualified athletes from u15 up to world cups all over the world including the Olympics to represent South Africa on the world Sport Climbing Stage. Competition age groups include u13, u15, u17, u19, Open. Junior fun competitions ( u5 to u13) are run by local clubs and venues to gain experience.
If you are interested in competing you will need to follow the following steps:
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- Join your local club at your local climbing gym
- Participate in a Boulder, Lead or Speed provincial selection competition
- If you qualify at your local selection competition, you will be invited to compete at a Provincial selection competition
- If you podium at a Provincial selections you will be awarded Provincial colours and invited to compete at a National selection competition
- If you podium at a National competition, you will be awarded South African Colours and invited to participate at a World Cup Competition
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