Dirt-Road Diaries

Avid off-road motorbiker and last year’s Toyota Fortuner 4x4 Challenge winner, Byron Coetsee, shares some of his favourite travel destinations in Southern Africa

KLEIN-KAROO I have fond memories of a trip that I did with my father via the Seweweekspoort Pass, a rugged and scenic route through the Swartberg to the disused Calitzdorp railway station. The pass is beautiful – as much of Thomas Bain’s work tends to be – and being someone who appreciates history and has an affinity for the old-fashioned, I found the station, which now offers accommodation, an agreeable place to spend the night (081-473-3232).

CEDERBERG I’ve driven my old Toyota Hilux from Cederberg Oasis to Rocklands and also done this trip many times on my motorbike. I recommend spending a night at Sanddrif (027-482-2825), so that you can see the Wolfberg Cracks and Arch, two of the most beautiful rock formations in the Cederberg. The route to Wuppertal is just as spectacular. It’s about an hour’s drive, with a waterfall, the quaint village of Eselbank, beautiful rocks (very appealing to me as a rock climber) and amazing scenery.