Game On

Trail Review Donkerpoort 4x4 Trail, 10km From Gariep Dam

- Nick Yell

From the moment I saw the Donkerpoort 4x4 website, I suspected that this 19km track would provide some challenges. And, when I saw farm-owner Ernie Griessel’s customised Toyota Legend 45 3.0 D-4D Hilux, I felt that these suspicions had been confirmed. It was game on.

What concerned me more than the bakkie’s ability, or my own, was my brief rather to err on the side of caution with the long-term Mazda BT-50 4x4 ‘camper’, and if I was in doubt about a particular section, rather to leave it out. Trouble is, you never really know how difficult a section is until you’re in it. Besides, after what I’d already been through with this vehicle, I was confident that it could take on all but a Grade 5. I hoped I was right.

“Okay, Nick, should I take it over this first obstacle, or would you like to?” Ernie asked me about five minutes after we’d left his farmhouse. We’d already faced some rough shale tracks before arriving at the short, 40° slope in front of us, and I was glad I’d had some strong plaas coffee before we’d set out. I needed my wits about me from the start of this trail.

In the end, I let Ernie take the BT-50 over the first challenge − marked by red flags on either side − while I took some photos; he got the bakkie over that one easily. This kind of optional obstacle was one of the many that visitors can choose to take on (or not) along the route, and is one of the reasons why the route is offered only on a guided basis.