About Us
Our Story
About Us
A mother and daughter team, Gabrielle and Peggy walked Camino de Santiago in 2011 and Gabrielle was blown away by how much the broader community benefits from passing pilgrims.
Cape Camino Peninsula section, a 7-day pilgrimage, was launched in 2015.
South Africa is in need of small business support and in 2016 the Department of Agriculture appointed Cape Camino to develop a route along the Berg River, into the Agritourism space. This gave rise to the extension route from Swartland Winelands to The Sandveld, following the direction of the Berg River to its source in Velddrif.
The coastal routes were added a few years later which now makes the route approximately 650km
Gabrielle and Peggy have a shared vision and yet very different strengths that compliment the skills required.
"I have total faith that this country is great in every way. We have endured the heart wrenching pain of separateness; the greatest lie in all humanity. And now, we shall overcome, we shall triumph, together. My skill is facilitation and my goal is to facilitate consensus within our powerful diversity. We have the same needs of decency and respect. The same needs for shelter, employment and safety. We need to hear our own voices, our history, our visions for the future. We all need spaces to play and work and worship. And it is in these spaces of worship that we find Grace."
Gabrielle
The Vision Awakened
Gabrielle
I live in Hopefield to be positioned centrally along the Cape Camino route. This choice has meant living, working, and playing in a very small rural town – something I wasn’t accustomed to at all.
After seven years here, though, I would never return to city life. I’ve truly come to love the rhythms and quirks of small-town living.
You can’t help but know everyone – and everyone’s business – and if you’re a gregarious person like me, that’s a genuine pleasure.
I also delight in the wealth of fresh, healthy, locally grown and produced food. As a foodie, I love that almost anything can be sourced right here in or around the village – from homesteaders and market gardeners – as well as the daily greens and herbs from my own courtyard garden. It’s idyllic in the most unpretentious way.
My favourite moments on Cape Camino are the connections that unfold: when a host and pilgrim bond over a heartfelt conversation, when strangers meet and click while walking the route, or when hosts support one another and collaboration far outweighs competition.
Our very small team works incredibly hard to create this special experience for both pilgrims and hosts. Every day is unique and tailor-made, with countless moving parts to coordinate. It’s a massive exercise in collaboration – no two pilgrims, no two hosts, and no two days are ever the same. When a Camino flows like clockwork, we know everyone has taken up their responsibilities and that the hand of Grace is gently resting upon us all.
I live on a game reserve in the Klein Karoo with my husband, which, in the beginning was a bit of an adjustment, but over time I’ve started to notice so much more. I’m tuned in to the subtle shifts of the land, the wildlife around me, and the changing light each day. Because I’m surrounded by it every day, not just visiting, I feel nature’s support. It’s more than beautiful scenery; it’s a living, breathing system that works with me to restore energy, focus, and emotional wellbeing.
I walk every single day. To clear my head, to stretch my body, to catch up with voice notes. Movement is how I come back to myself.
Although I live on a farm, my community and closest friends are in Cape Town, which I return to often. I am part of a deeply supportive circle of entrepreneurs and forward thinkers – people who work hard, think boldly, and know how to play just as fully.
My favourite moments on Cape Camino:
- Noticing how things often fall into place through small coincidences.
- Witnessing the Camino spirit and being open to receive.
Walking It Forward
Peggy
The Connector
Kayla Griffiths
Kayla leads operations and administration with steady care and precision. She offers tailor-made communication between hosts and pilgrims, thoughtfully connecting people while managing the practical details of each journey. From coordinating logistics to answering questions and navigating unexpected changes, Kayla ensures the experience unfolds with clarity and ease. Her dedication behind the scenes allows the spirit of Cape Camino to shine.
Cape Camino exists to create space – for walkers to explore their own journey, for communities to share their culture and earn sustainably, and for the route itself to be cared for and celebrated.
Walking Camino is about moving intentionally along a defined path and not “going somewhere”. Over several days, the rhythm of walking, stopping, and sleeping in small towns allows you to slow down, step away from distractions, and return to the basics. Each day builds on the last, giving space to notice your surroundings, your thoughts, and the natural rhythm of the route. Stops, towns, and landmarks often have stories, heritage, or symbolic significance.
Cape Camino is not a religious route. People walk for many reasons – reflection, healing, curiosity, setting personal challenges, or simply the joy of walking.
Welkom
Welcome
Wamkelikele
In the Press
Media Features
01
Mail & Guardian
02
Cape Town ETC
03
Cape Town Magazine
04
Cape Times - IOL
05
Personal Blog by Talya Davidoff, Free diving champion
06
Travel Ideas Article, Guy Hawthorne's experiences on the route. November 2021
07
Financial Mail Article - Sarah Buitenbach 2022
Paul Harris Fellow
Award presented to Gabrielle Andrew 20/11/2021
In appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
Google Reviews
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