Ultimate 4×4 Trails & Adventures in South Africa
Western Cape
The Dunes
The name of this trail is a dead giveaway. More than 250 hectares of rolling, snow-white dunes lie just outside Lamberts Bay. Under the trusty guidance of Oom Joos Engelbrecht, you can negotiate this sandy playground on a number of routes.
While getting airborne on a dune crest may sound like fun, it can cause some serious damage to your vehicle. A combination of power, momentum and deflated tyres is what is required to conquer the sand like a pro.
However, there are also escape routes throughout if you feel you should need them.
The way there: The trail is 10 km before Lamberts Bay on the R364 from Clanwilliam.
Accommodation: There are a couple of options in nearby Lamberts Bay. See Getaway. Contact: Theunis and Susie Engelbrecht tel 027-432-1244. email, website.
Biedouw 4×4 Route
The Biedouw 4×4 Route is best known for its spectacular scenery and is not a very demanding trail. There are some places where rock and sand need to be negotiated, but the risk of vehicle damage is minimal.
This makes it an ideal trail for a family outing. Rock pools and waterfalls, bushman paintings and awe-inspiring views of Sneeukop and Krakadouw Peak are just some of the highlights of a great day out in the Cederberg.
Remember to pack a picnic basket and swimming costumes.
The way there: From Wupperthal in the Cederberg, head north for 15 km into the Biedouw Valley. From Clanwil-liam, continue over the Pakhuis Pass for 40 km and turn right onto the R364 to the route.
Accommodation: There’s a self-catering farmhouse sleeping eight from R200 a person a night and shady camping on grass with ablutions (from R50 a person a night). Contact: Barry and Mariette Lubbe tel 027-482-2845.
Buffelspoort Adventure Trail
The start of the Buffelspoort Adventure Trail is at the Driefontein Farm, 30 km outside Laingsburg. It runs along a gorge carved out by the Buffels River and the cliffs can reach up to 500 m above. This makes the trail highly dependent on weather conditions. As this is a national heritage site, each driver receives a booklet containing a detailed history of the area. The trail itself is fairly treacherous and extremely exciting. With names such as the ‘Car wash’ and ‘Devil’s workshop’, you’ll want to be on top form tackling the many water crossings and rocky terrain. Slanggat 4×4 Trail is another option here, taking you up to the top of the Swartberg for breathtaking views.
The way there: From Laingsburg, turn south onto the R323 for roughly 16 km. Then turn left onto a tar road marked ‘Seweweekspoort’. After 5,6 km, turn right onto a gravel road and after another 1,7km, turn right through the ‘Driefontein’ gate.
Accommodation: There is basic camping at the beginning at Driefontein and at the end of the trail at Van Zylsdamme. The cost is included in the trail price for two people for two nights. It is R50 a night for each extra person.
Contact: Rudy Nel tel 028-551-2117.
Bojaankop 4×4
Low-range and high ground clearance rule at Bojaankop, which runs along the Gamka River on Matjiesvlei Farm. The trail runs to the top of Bojaankop, a koppie with uninterrupted views into Gamkaskloof and Die Hel. There’s space to drive around some obstacles.
The way there: From Calitzdorp, take the R62 to Ladismith and after 5 km take the Matjiesvlei turn-off on the right. After 4km, turn left to Matjiesvlei Guestfarm.
Accommodation: Matjiesvlei has four self-catering cottages sleeping between four and six people each. All have fully equipped kitchens, braai facilities, bedding, oil lamps, candles and hot water. Prices from R350 a night for two people. Contact: Bennie and Selma Nel on tel 044-213-3756, cell 083-453-2209 or 073-174-1028, email, website.
Kagga Kamma 4×4 Trail
Starting from the reception area, this slow route descends from 1 160 to 365 metres above sea level and is mostly easy going, but has some very steep places.
On a clear day you’ll have magnificent views over the vast Karoo and the mountains and valleys of the Cederberg, From mid-August to mid-November there are lots of flowers to see, perfect for nature-lovers, Also stay on the lookout for game such as eland, bontebok and, if you’re lucky, caracal and mountain leopard, You wouldn’t ordinarily do every section of the road, so you wouldn’t need more than one night’s accommodation.
Getting there: From Ceres, follow directions to Prince Alfred Hamlet, and go over Gydo Pass, Turn right at the Kagga Kamma sign just after Op-die-Berg, Follow all the Kagga Kamma signs for about 50 kilometres until you reach the gate.
Where to stay: The lodge has various luxury twosleeper caves and huts, Rates from R1 750 to R2910 a person a night sharing, Prices Include three meals, two guided excursions and access to the 4×4 route, Camping sites are available 1,5 kilometres from the lodge.
Who to contact Tel 021-872-4343, email, website.
Boegoeberg 4×4 Trail
Enjoy panoramic views of the Cederberg Mountains, Clanwilliam and Graafwater from the top of Platklip, which you’ll climb from the start of the trail.
There’s a variety of challenges from steep ascents and descents to technical driving sections where you’ll have to negotiate your passage around and over large rock formations.
On the last section to the Platklip viewpoint, you’ll cross a stream and the difficulty depends on the time of year. Your skills and vehicle traction will be tested, but damage to your vehicle Isn’t likely.
Getting there: The easiest way to reach Boegoeberg is from Graafwater. If you come from Lamberts Bay drive through Graafwater on the R364. As you exit Graafwater you will go over a railway bridge. From the foot of the bridge measure about 1.3 kilometres and turn right at the Jakkelsvlei gravel road (that is at 32°09’19″S, 18°37’30″E). If you are coming from Clanwilliam, this will be 1.3 km before Graafwater.
Continue on this gravel road for about 18.5 km and turn right at the blue sign on the right saying “Nokkie se Hokkie” (the turn-off is at 32°15’59″s, 18°45’46″E). After you turned right here just follow this road all the way until you reach the camping site. (The camping site is at 32°17’14″s, 18°45’15″E)
Where to stay: Five- and seven-sleeper self-catering units are available and there’s also a rustic six-sleeper sandstone shelter with bunk beds, bucket shower and long drop toilet. From R450 a night for up to five people and R80 for each extra adult.
Who to contact: Tel 083-632-2634, email OR Website
Gecko Rock Eco Adventure
Depending on your experience, you can choose the hand-built, grade-four trail or the more scenic grade-two drive, which is suitable for 4x2s. Ideally you should try both.
A qualified guide leads groups. If you want to do the tougher nine-kilometre route, you’ll have to demonstrate your abilities at the test terrain beforehand.
Vehicles must have good ground clearance, low-range and a diff lock is recommended.
The 12-kilometre one-hour trail is great for novice drivers and there’s a training course for 4×4 drivers.
Getting there: From Touws River, pass the Bloutoring tumoff and continue for 25 kilometres. Tum left at the Gecko Rock sign.
Where to stay: There are two campsites from R65 a person a night. The selfcatering cottage (sleeps two to four) is R275 for two (R50 for each extra person, max four).
Who to contact: Tel 023-358-9902, email Or Website.
Other Trails in the Western Cape
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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