Nobody can describe the Baviaanskloof more accurately than its natives. Consider the writer PH Nortjé’s rendition in the opening paragraph of his book, The Wild Grape Tree: “Hans’s father, Faans, was a fastidious man who ruled his house and his farm with an iron fist. For him, matters were either right or wrong. How could it be any other way here in Baviaanskloof between the Kouga andWinterhoek Mountains – in this harsh, rough country with its rock faces and mountain chasms, its spike-thorn, wild plum and prickly pear thickets and its scorching summers and freezing winters – miles from the nearest town or railway-line.”
Set aside a few days and join us on a drive through this rough country.We’ll explore chasms and cross six mountain passes – and traverse rivers and streams no fewer than 80 times.
THE BAVIAANSKLOOF STRETCHES along 99 km as the crow flies – provided crows fly as we think they do – and 130 km on our GPS device if you take the road. The western section (Willowmore side) is known as Baviaanskloof’s Heartland and is accessible in a family sedan. The eastern section (Patensie side) is a mountainous nature reserve with challenging gravel passes that may require four-wheel drive.You can travel in any direction – some people say it's easier from east to west - but on this tour, we depart from Willowmore so that we can end the route on a literal high note: the Combrink Pass being the highest pass in the Baviaans.
First, we drive the N9 motorway towards Uniondale, but 2 km outside Willowmore we meet a road sign that guides us left towards the Baviaanskloof. Follow the gravel road until you enter a narrow gorge between tall cliffs. A sign plastered with stickers welcomes you with the words: "Welkom In Die Baviaanskloof".
Denne historien er fra August/September 2023-utgaven av Go! Drive & Camp.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August/September 2023-utgaven av Go! Drive & Camp.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The pinch of the pump
In a time where every penny counts, you should be cautious about where to spend it, says Neels van Heerden.
Is the Jimny suitable for overlanding?
He has a theory on whether the Suzuki Jimny is suitable for overlanding, but he is also about to find out for himself, says Mic van Zyl.
Klein-Kariba chronicles
His family has camped so often at ATKV Klein-Kariba that they now consider this popular resort their holiday home, says Roelof van Eeden of Witbank.
So ugly it's cute
Longing for the good old days when vehicles took inspiration from aircraft? Citroën has the compact mobile home just for you.
WHO'S THE BAKKIE KING?
Eight brands, seven categories... and one overall winner. We find out which double-cab bakkie performs best when towing a caravan and off-roading.
Viva, Amarokoroko!
We take a spin through the Western Cape's Cederberg to See if the Ford-built Volkswagen Amarok retains its poshness.
Hook, line and tune
That exhilarating rush you feel when something tugs at your hook and races away with your line is what perpetually draws him back to the angler's paradise, says singer Bok van Blerk.
Discover Dinokeng: beyond the Big Five
The Dinokeng Big Five Reserve is a favourite for weekend getaways, but just past its borders lies an untapped haven waiting to be explored.
Life's a farm in Bonnievale!
Bonnievale presents a unique setting where kids, camping and church come together for a unique family holiday.
Into the heart of the Cederberg
From Duiwelsgat to Heuningvlei, from Wupperthal to the Biedouw Valley. Drive through a world where poet Boerneef's mountain goose sheds a feather and author Jan Rabie's dreamland begins.