Description
This tour will start at the beautiful Rooiberg Lodge and end in Storms River, exploring the tranquil beauty of the Garden Route – which plays host to one of the largest indigenous forest reserves in South Africa.
The routes we have chosen are generally not difficult, but we can’t take off-road caravans or trailers on this tour. (Please note that no pets are allowed.)
Important dates:
- Distance: 700 km.
- Drivers’ Briefing, VHF Radio Fitment & Welcoming Party: 18h00 on Saturday, 10th September, 2022 at the Rooiberg Lodge, near Vanwyksdorp.
- Start: Rooiberg Lodge – 08h30: Sunday, 11th September, 2022
- Closing Function & Prize-giving: Storms River Mouth Restaurant, 18h00 Thursday, 15th September, 2022
- End of Tour/Departure: 09h00 – Friday, 16th September, 2022
All vehicles will be supplied with FM marine-quality two-way radios so we can all communicate. (This is included in the tour price.)
4×4 Tour Itinerary
Saturday 10th September: The group meets up at the Rooiberg Lodge just outside Vanwyksdorp between 1400 and 1700 where we fit your two way radio and magnetic aerial, deflate tyres for gravel travel and have our meet & greet session where the finer details of the tour will be explained, indemnity forms signed, distribution of personal folders with notes, convoy driving order sheets, name tags and maps as well as a Q&A session. We enjoy a hearty dinner and a good night’s rest in preparation for the next day.
Sunday 11th September: 08h30 After breakfast we run a radio check to ensure everyone has comms and then we take to the road. Our route heads south towards the Langeberge along the R327, then east to cross the Gouritz River via the single lane low level bridge at the Jan Muller Pass and remain on gravel via Cloete’s Pass and descend to Herbertsdale. We take some fabulously scenic back roads via Haelkraal where we intersect with the tarred R328 and stop at the lovely 8 Bells Inn for lunch.
Our route ascends the Robinson Pass where after we take a shortcut through Kleni Karoo farms to bypass Oudtshoorn. We descend the Outeniqua Pass and finish the day at our overnight venue in Wilderness.
The passes are marked (G) for gravel and (T) for tar:
Jan Muller Pass (G)
Cloetes Pass (G)
Hagelkraal Pass (G)
Robinson Pass (T) – Ascending
Brakpoort (T)
Beweraaskloof Pass (T)
Outeniqua Pass (T) – Descending
Kaaimans River Pass (T)
Overnight at our selected hotel/lodge in Wilderness. (Dinner, bed and breakfast)
Monday 12th September: Depart 0900 after breakfast.
Our routing will be:
White’s Road (G) (ascending)
** Map of Africa ** viewpoint
Silver River Pass (T) (7 Passes Road)
Kaaimansgat Pass (T) (7 Passes Road)
Montagu Pass (G) Oldest unaltered pass in SA
** Louvain Farm**
Old Voortrekker Pass (G) (Quite a technical drive)
** Bergplaas Forestry Station **
Hoekwil Pass (T)
Overnight at our selected hotel/lodge in Wilderness. (Dinner, bed and breakfast)
Tuesday 13th September: Depart 0900 after breakfast.
Routing for the day:
Heights Road Wilderness (T)
Touw River Pass (G) (7 Passes Road)
Hoogekraal Pass (G) (7 Passes Road)
Karatara Pass (G) (7 Passes Road)
Homtini Pass (G) (7 Passes Road)
** Millwood Gold Mine **
Phantom Pass (G) (7 Passes Road)
** Lunch break at The Heads in Knysna **
Cony Glen Road (T) to viewsite
Overnight at Belvidere Estate overlooking the lagoon (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
Wednesday 14th September: Depart 08h30
This is a full day of scenic driving, mainly on gravel
Simola Hill Climb (T)
Gouna Pass (G)
Kom se Pad (G)
Prince Alfred’s Pass (G)
** Spitskop viewsite **
** De Vlugt / Angies G Spot **
Klein Langkloof ( P1660) / Williamsburg Reserve (G)
Potjiesberg Pass N9 (T)
** Avontuur **
Prince Alfred’s Pass (Langkloof Section (G)
Paardekop Pass (P340) (G)
Keurboomstrand overnight venue (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
Thursday 15th September:
Our final day takes us to Kurland for some souvenir hunting for the ladies at a Mohair centre and we pay a visit to The World of Birds.
Grootrivier Pass (T)
** Natures Valley **
Bloukrans Pass (T) (The original one built by Thomas Bain)
** Storms River Bridge **
Tsitsikamma National Park for our overnight stop (Dinner, bed and breaksfast)
Friday 16th September:
End of tour after breakfast -.
Tour price (adults):
1 vehicle/1 person = R 7,990
1 vehicle / 2 people = R 9,980
1 vehicle / 3 people = R 10,990
1 vehicle / 4 people = R 11,990
What is included in the price:
The price of the tour includes guiding, pamphlets, maps, name tags, radio hire, standard recovery costs, administration and documentation, but excludes accommodation & food.
Recovery costs do not include mechanical breakdown, lowbed recovery, but does include towing out of a difficult situation or kinetic recoveries, and assistance with punctures.
MPSA arranges every last detail. We send you a packing list of what you need well before the tour. All you have to do is arrive with your ‘padkos’ and snacks and enjoy the tour.
Accommodation & food:
MPSA will invoice you for your accommodation/meals about 3 week’s ahead of the tour.
• Work on R1350 per person, per day (sharing) for accommodation and two meals per day. All the accommodation is 3 to 4 star rated or higher. Single supplement rates apply if you’re driving alone. (Usually about 60% of the double rate)
Our lunch breaks are held wherever we can find a nice spot to stop (usually somewhere shady and scenic). Lunches are light and we suggest packing easy to travel foods like crackers, cheese wedges, dried and fresh fruit and a flask of tea or coffee in the car is great to have with on these tours.
We have a zero alcohol policy during the day whilst driving.
Note ~ no pets allowed.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cancel more than 60 days ahead of the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 80% refund or 100% credit voucher
If you cancel between 60 and 30 days before the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 70% refund or 90% credit voucher
If you cancel less than 30 days before the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 60% refund or 80% credit voucher
Accommodation & meal refunds:
Invoices are generally sent out between 4 and 6 weeks ahead of the tour start date.
* If you have already received your invoice, you are liable for it, subject to us interacting with the various venues to get you a refund. We pay the venues up front for your accommodation. Most of the establishments are reasonable and offer a full refund. Whatever we can negotiate will be credited to you in full.
Please get in touch with us directly with any questions you may have by email: info@mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za
