Baviaans Oct 2011

[SuidWes]

I’m not really one for writing trip reports but here goes. We drove through the Baviaanskloof from East to West and camped at Bruintjieskraal, Doringkloof and Uitspan.

THE Group:

Jaco, Natasha en Christo – Hilux SFA
Chris and Elize – Honda CRV
Chris, Yolandi and Lume’ – Pajero
Tania, Clarrisa en Nicke – GWM

Friday (30 September 2011)

We left Johannesburg very early (02:30) and arrived at Bruintjieskraal just after 17:00 where we were joined by my parents, Chris and Elize. In total we went through 14 “Stop&Go” sections, 4 on the N1 and the rest on route to PE – NOT nice but the beauty of the area quickly made up for it!

Saturday

The rest of the group arrived around 12:00 and setup camp – Bruintjieskraal was great but the site being so close to the river meant that we had to keep a constant eye on the little ones. We had our own kitchen area, shower with donkey and flush toilet. No electricity but the SWAMBOS were happy. Spent the day relaxing and even managed to catch a fish – yip only one.

Sunday

Rain, rain and more rain – It rained for most of the day and only cleared up later that evening. Thanks to technology the kids watched movies all day - Portable DVD player definitely one of the best gadgets ever purchased.

[Rebel 4x4]

Mooi om te sien daar's mense wat na ons wereld toe kom!

[SuidWes]

Monday

The sun was out! We packed and got ready for the drive through the reserve. This is one of the most spectacular reserves in SA and the drive was enjoyed by all. A number of river crossings but even the Honda managed without any major issues. We arrived at Doringkloof around 16:00 and setup camp. A really nice camp with clean ablutions, electricity, and a lot of green grass – The sites are big with lots of space in-between sites. Really NICE place!

[SuidWes]

Still Monday...

Tuesday

The women sorted out all the muddy clothes and we decided to tackle one of the 6 4x4 trails . We chose nr1 which took about 2 hours to complete – Nice views and an easy drive (2).

BF's.... The only puncture of the trip but quickly fixed

[SuidWes]

Still Tuesday....

The Honda’s centre bearing housing got bent slightly the previous day which caused it to grind against the prop shaft – This was quickly sorted by winching it back into place.

Wednesday

We tackled trail nr3 which was great. Took us about 3 hours to complete and also an easy drive with one or two difficult sections (3). Another relaxing day and that evening we moved the kuier into the Lapa where Chris made a lekker potjie. Around the fire we decided that we just have to do trail nr6 which is rated between a 4 and a 5.

[SuidWes]

Thurdsay

We got up early, had some coffee and made our way to THE trail. It starts with a nice climb and zig-zags up the mountain followed by a flat section on top and then another climb to the tower. Not too hectic but would definitely rate it a 4 because of the narrow track. Took us about 3 hours to complete and very glad we decided to do it.

We packed and headed to the last camp where we arrived at 15:00. Uitspan is a working farm and campsites are really neat and the ablutions brand new and clean.

[SuidWes]

Friday

The kids really enjoyed the farm animals and we had another relaxing day, hiking, swimming, etc.

Christo enjoying a tjop

Saturday

We left the camp at about 08:00 and had an uneventful 13 hour drive home.

This was really a nice relaxing trip which we will easily do again.

The Hilux, as always, was brilliant. Thanks Louis for sorting out the cooling system and front axle before the trip and F1 Air for fixing the AC!!

[Bulletjie-3]

Thanks for the report, beautiful country man.

[ToyX4]

Jis Jaco, dit lyk na n fees. Het jy n GPS roete wat jy my kan stuur? Ek net prentjies gekyk, sal later lees...

[Family_Dog]

Nice trip report Jaco, seems you guys had a ball!

Many thanks!


-F_D

[Polarbear2008]

Nice Jaco!

Ek kannie gou genoeg teruggaan na die Baviaanskloof nie! Beautiful deel van ons ou land!

[SuidWes]

Groot Plesier - Hier is die roete

[OOOOMS]

Wonderlik Jaco, dankie vir die post en mooi ... nee, pragtige pics

[Mud Dog]

Yep it's a beautiful area!

[Donkey]

Hi Jaco, you say you not the one for trip reports? I think you should be writting for an outdoor magazine , wonderful pictures and I'm sure you guys had a blerry good time.

It's way too beautiful out there!

[FIRSTGEER]

Nice trip report and good fotos,Also been there but never spent enough time there.so much to see and explore so I will also return again in the near future.Incedently, I see you guys also met our slow drinking buddy on your trip.

[george]

Lekker Jakes

[legend35]

Very nice Jaco .I will also go back to do some more trails.

[Thunder02]

Nice looking trip,great area

[Haboob]

Lekka Jaco, Thanks for the nice trip report. I also want to go do some of those trials as well as the northern road above Baviaans which joins the Uitenhage road north of Patensie.