Ultimate 4×4 Trails & Adventures in South Africa
Free State
Korannaberg/Van Zoelens-hoek (13)
Korannaberg Adventures, on the farm Van Zoelenshoek on the Lesotho border, offers two trails of varying difficulty. Matopos is a laid-back route that takes about five hours to complete after passing seven waterfalls (in rain season, of course). The Malutis Trail is shorter, but takes about seven hours due to hairy obstacles that will test both you and your vehicle’s skill.
The way there: Van Zoelenshoek is at the foot of the Korannaberg Mountains, 30 km east of Excelsior on the R703.
Accommodation: The farmhouse has two double en suite bedrooms and an en suite family room which sleeps four (from R450 a room a night). There are self-catering three-storey silos that sleep seven each (R900 a unit a night). Backpackers can stay in a stable that steeps up to 12 people (from R90 a person). Camping is from R90 a person a night.
Contact: Heleen Conradie cell 082-706-0058, email.
Riverside 4×4 Trail (14)
If you’re looking for a great day of fun, Riverside 4×4 won’t disappoint. The grading might be a little misleading, though. While it’s novice friendly, the overlapping circular route will test you and your vehicle through sand, mud, water, over rocks, up steep inclines, down sharp descents and across some serious cross-axle cambers. It may even test your recovery skills. With all that to get through, make sure you have time to park off for lunch among the willows..
The way there Riverside 4×4 is about 20 km from Steynsrus on the R76 towards Lindley.
Accommodation: Riverside 4×4 offers rustic accommodation on the banks of the Vaal River in an old sandstone shed (sleeps 20, from R70 a person a night) and in the Ou Huis (sleeps 17, from R100 a person a night).
Contact: Hans and Alethea de Vos tel 056-471-0812, cell 083-444-5499 or 083-290-4344.
Moolmanshoek 4×4 Eco Routes (15)
More than 50 km of 4×4 tracks can be found at Moolmanshoek Nature Reserve in the Witteberg Mountains. Best done over a weekend, the four trails – Kiepersol Garden, Visierkerf, Langesnek and Suikerhoek – cover different terrain and are suitable for newcomers and experienced drivers.
Grasslands, sandstone plates, streams and rocky inclines and descents are just some of the obstacles. To top it off, a variety of game can be spotted along the way.
The way there: Take the R70 from Senekal or Ficksburg towards Rosendal. The turn-off is about 10 km before Rosendal (on the Ficksburg side).
Accommodation: The four-star Sandstone Lodge on Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve has 15 en suite bedrooms, a restaurant and spectacular views. DB&B starts from R870 a person a night, including all activities.
Contact: Willie or Wiseman Nel tel 051-933-2220, email, websites.
Tussen-Die-Riviere (16)
The 23000-hectare Tussen-Die-Riviere Nature Reserve takes its name from the Orange and Caledon Rivers between which it sits.
There are two trail options that aren’t particularly challenging (although there are optional sections requiring low-range), but they do offer spectacular scenery and game viewing. It’s a long day on the road, so make sure you have enough padkos and a good set of binoculars.
The way there: Turn right about 30 km after Bethulie on the R701.
Accommodation: There are three cottages, from R310 to R600 a night.
Contact: Francois van den Berg tel 051-763-1000, cell 084-549-6676.
For more places to stay in the Free State.
Other Trails in the Free State
Introduction P1 | Western Cape P2 | Northern Cape P3 | Eastern Cape P4 | Free State P5 | Kwazulu Natal P6 | Gauteng P7 | Northwest P8 | Limpopo P9 | Mpumalanga P10 | Overlanding P11
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