Our 2025 Katberg V2 4×4 Tour has been planned to offer a complete experience of nature, relaxation, easy and technical driving and some of the best sights you will see in the Eastern Cape escarpment zone.
The routes we have chosen are generally not difficult, and can be managed by any 4×4 vehicle with low range capability. The routes range from good tar to serviceable gravel roads as well as several two spoor track sections ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 3. (Please note that no pets are allowed.)
Key Details
- Distance: 500km.
- Drivers’ Briefing, VHF Radio Fitment & Welcoming Party: From 16.00 on Monday, 10th March, 2025, at Arminal Hotel, Hogsback..
- Start Hogsback– 08h30: Tuesday, 11th March, 2025.
- Closing Function & Prize-giving: Duke of Bedford, from 18h00 Saturday, 15th March, 2025.
- End of Tour/Departure: 09h00 –Sunday, 16th March, 2025.
All vehicles will be supplied with FM marine-quality two-way radios so we can all communicate. (This is included in the tour price.)
Scroll down for Itinerary, Pricing Info & Cancellation Policy
Katberg 4×4 Tour Itinerary
Day 0 – Monday 10th, March, 2025
Meet and greet at the beautiful Arminel Hotel in Hogsback anytime after 14.00. Radio fitments take place between 16.00 & 17.00. Welcome and drivers briefing at 18.00. Dinner at 19.00
Rest well as tomorrow will be a busy day.
The Arminel Hotel, Hogsback. A place of tranquillity.
Day 1 – Tuesday 11th March, 2025
Wolf River Pass / Photo: Derick Van Eeden
We drive the magnificent Wolf River Pass, through indigenous forests, and visit two waterfalls. Towards the foot of the pass we reach the Sandile Dam, where we will take a break. From there we route back into the Hogsback mountains via a different route arriving back in Hogsback with time in the afternoon to spend visiting some of the magnificent ‘open’ gardens around Hogsback village. We regroup at Arminel at 1800 for Chappies Hour and dinner at 19.00.
One of the magnificent gardens in Hogsback
Day 2 – Wednesday 12th March, 2025.
This will be a day of action as we depart Hogsback via the Grade 3 Michell’s Pass. Bring your pruning cutters and shears along, as this pass is quite overgrown, so it’s going to take some time and effort getting the convoy safely to the bottom near Seymore. Should the route prove to be impassable or dangerous, we will detour via the Pefferskop Pass. We traverse close by the Katberg Dam which is obviously fed by the Katrivier. After a roadside lunch break, we will head north east on the tarred R67 via the Nico Malan Pass, then turn off the tar at Fairfields for a nice gravel drive through verdant farmland, descending the mountains via the Old Katberg Pass, back to the Katberg Hotel.
Hogsback Mountains
Our overnight venue will be at the Katberg Hotel and Golf Estate, where we will be for the next three nights.
Day 3 – Thursday 13th March, 2025.
An easy day as we head to the Baddaford farm stall near Fort Beaufort to let the ladies enjoy some retail therapy and coffee. We then head up the mountains into the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve via the tricky Fuller’s Hoek Pass where we will take a lunch break under the giant trees near the summit. We return via the adjoining Mpofu Nature Reserve and the Blinkwater Pass. This is where Andrew Geddes Bain discovered a dinosaur like reptile, which became known as the Blinkwater Monster. We return to the comforts of the gracious Katberg Hotel for dinner, bed and breakfast.
Misty under the big trees at the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve
Day 4 – Friday 14th March, 2025.
A full day of deep forest driving in the very heart of the Katberg Forests. We get special permission from Katberg Forestry to enter their preserve. Much of this will be “driving by the seat of our pants “and using intuition to navigate the myriad forestry tracks available for us to explore. This will be a proper Camel Man day.
Day 5 – Saturday 15th March, 2025.
We bid the friendly staff at Katberg farewell as we pack up and depart early for our last day of adventure travel. It starts with the ascent of the Katberg Pass. This pass is not be taken lightly as it has a big altitude gain and gets very ropey in places. We will be in low range for most of the climb. We’ll take a break at the summit to enjoy the Devil’s Knuckles and the spectacular views from the 1625m summit point.
The Devil’s Knuckles taken from the summit of the Katberg Pass at sunset / Photo: MPSA
The descent will be via De Waalskloof Pass, Post Retief and a big drop down to Bedford via two optional routes – a short one (in case we are running short of time) and a longer one via De Beer’s Pass.
We plan to arrive at the Duke of Bedford Inn by 16.00 to allow time to freshen up, collect the two way radios and have an extended final night Chappies Hour ahead of dinner and a surprise party for two of our favourite guests and you’re invited!
Duke of Bedford Inn
Day 6 – Sunday 16th March, 2025.
Everyone heads home. You will have completed the safest part of your journey. Remember to reinflate your tyres before driving at highway speeds and most of all, remain in chill mode.
Our routes are always bespoke and you will be guaranteed the trip of a lifetime, packed with facts, folklore, history and geology snippets – all of it done in a safe, responsible manner.
Tour price (excluding accommodation and meals):
1 Vehicle/1 Person R15,777
1 Vehicle/2 People R16,777
1 Vehicle/3 People R17,777
1 Vehicle/4 People R18,777
Tour price is calculated on number of adults (over 18) per vehicle.
Tour price includes expert guiding, VHF radio hire, Route notes, folders, stationery, name tags, use of recovery gear, compressors and first aid, but excludes accommodation & travel costs.
Accommodation & Other Costs for this tour
Accommodation, meals and ancillary costs are extra, which we will invoice out to you separately about 4 weeks before the tour.
- Approximately R1450 per person, per day (sharing) for accommodation, breakfast & dinner. In some cases lunch is included as well. Single supplement applies.
- Pack your own ‘padkos’ for lunches, which we enjoy at whatever scenic spot takes our fancy along the route.
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
