The tour has been designed to provide a perfect blend of stunning scenery, fascinating history and mildly challenging gravel road driving.
You do not need to be experienced in off-road driving to do this tour. We will show you how!
4×4 Tour Itinerary
Day 0: Monday, 23rd September, 2024
Arrive at the Assegaaibosch Lodge in Kareedouw between 14.00 and 17.00. Check in, have a shower or swim and when you’re ready we will fit your two way radio and aerial as well as assist you with tyre deflation. There will be a driver/passenger briefing at 18.00 followed by welcoming drinks and a hearty dinner.
Day 1: Tuesday, 24th September
Starting in Kareedouw, the tour kicks off with a fantastic day of gravel travel as we head west on the R62 to the Langkloof town of Joubertina. There we depart the luxury of the tar and take on some really scenic gravel roads, which will include a number of passes you will unlikely have travelled before. These include the Kouga-Kleinrivier Pass and the Brakkloof Pass. Weather permitting we will visit the Kouga Wilderness 4×4 Trail, where the proteas grow thick and lush on the steep slopes. The scenery is exceptionally beautiful.
This route is a circular loop, which brings us back to the R62 and Kareedouw, where we return to the Assegaaibosch Lodge for overnight accommodation and meals.
Day 2: Wednesday 25th September
A full day awaits. Our route starts at Assegaaibosch and heads up the first mountain pass, the Suuranysberg Pass. Next up is the Kouga River Pass with its dramatic scenery and bridgeless river crossing. We drive the ominous sounding Moordenaarskloof Pass, which we will tell you about when we are there (for greater effect!) and stop in at the Rachelsrivier farm.
We double back and head west up over Meidenek and pop in at the isolated Baviaans Lodge for a comfort break and refreshments. The real fun begins as we tackle the Rus en Vreder 4×4 Route as it winds over the ridges and valleys of the Kouga Mountains. Our route ends at the Doringkloof farm in the western Baviaanskloof, where we head to Zandvlakte and other venues for our accommodation and meals.
Day 3: Thursday 26th September
This is an easy day which we use to explore the Western Baviaanskloof Conservancy. We will do a guided tour of the Sevenfontein farm and fountain as well as the wild fig tree forest under the guidance of Patrick Ruiters – a diminutive local guide with a fiesty character and high pitched voice, who is totally passionate about his job.
We will visit Babes se Winkel – a traditional trading store and stop in at Vero’s Restaurant for some of the best fresh roosterkoek imaginable. Vero’s is a proper Baviaans experience where we eat under the shade of a few trees next to the main road between miniature succulents and wind chimes.
Other points of interest include the Tree House at Speekhoutkloof (if there are no occupants), the Makedaat Caves, the brand new Interpretive Centre and the cherry on top is a double traverse of the Nuwekloof Pass. We will time that for late afternoon for best light for the photographers.
At Zandvlakte owner Piet Kruger will take us on an (optional) short tour explaining the delicate balance of nature and modern farming practices. Piet has converted his farm from sheep and goat farming to spekboom and lavender. He is a leading light in the arena of regreening the kloof.
We return to Zandvlakte for dinner under the starry skies.
Photo: Zandvlakte Guest Farm
Day 4: Friday 27th September
The distance for this day is fairly short, but it takes a fair amount of time to drive it, due to the nature of the topography and road condition. Once we have signed in at the control point, we reach the first big pass which is the Grasnek Pass, where we will pause at the upper viewpoint to enjoy the spectacular 360 views. The descent takes us to the plains near Rooikloof where game is frequently seen, such as kudu, warthog, baboons and the more elusive Cape buffalo.
At the eastern end of the pass we will face the crossing at Smitskraal which has a long unbridged water crossing. It’s been dry in the Baviaanskloof recently, so the crossing might be easy, but if the rains come….. well, its a lot more fun! We usually take a lunch break here as there’s a nice level camping ground with ablutions.
Next up is the Langkop Pass with its awkward paved sections and then up the Holgat Pass, which is notorious for its broken up concrete two spoor sections. Fantastic views await. At the summit there are toilet facilities as well as a short walk to see the old Le Roux Cableway that spans the Waterpoort – a deep rugged canyon.
Combrinks Pass is the last of the big passes, which we descend and enjoy the lush Poortjies section with its forests and streams to reach the exit point where we sign out. The citrus rich Cambria valley leads us to the Grootrivierpoort, one of the last passes that Thomas Bain constructed. It’s a perfect exit from the Baviaanskloof as the road closely follows the Grootrivier amidst towering cliffs and dense vegetation.
Most vehicles will need to refuel in Patensie, before we head to our overnight venue in Jeffreys Bay right on to the coast.
Day 5: Saturday 28th September
We start after breakfast with a visit to the Kouga Dam (previously the Paul Sauer Dam) and marvel at the quality of the old school engineering and take a drive through the access tunnel to the viewing deck. Our route climbs the Geelhoutboom Pass. Once we reach the top of this big gravel climb, we turn onto a two spoor track and head west under the watchful eye of the brooding Cockscomb Mountain to tackle the Antoniesberg Pass, where we again cross the Grootrivier through a drift and drive along the mountain ridges to Willowmore for our final night venue at the totally unique Willow Historical Guest House, where you will be transported back in time to the early 1900’s in this living museum adorned with fabulous photos, paintings and artefacts.
Day 6: Sunday 29th September
The group splits up after a final breakfast. Remember to re-inflate your tyres before commencing your journey home. There are two filling stations in town.
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.
Key Details
- Total tour distance: 650km
- Drivers briefing, VHF radio fitment & welcoming party: From 1700, 23rd September 2024
- Start: Kareedouw – 08h30, 24th September
- Closing function & prize-giving: 18h00, 28th September in Willowmore.
- Departure and end of tour: 09h30, 29th September
- All vehicles will be supplied with crystal-clear FM marine-quality two-way radios so we can communicate with you. (This is included in the tour price)
Vehicles
- 4×4 only – with low range and ample ground clearance
- Maximum of 12 vehicles on this tour
Cost
- Cost of accommodation, meals, drinks for your own account.
- We take care of all the bookings
- MPSA will invoice you for your accommodation/meals about 3 week’s ahead of the tour.
- Work on R1450 per person, per day (sharing) for the classic accommodation option, 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.
Please note that prices above are approximate.
Tour price (excluding accommodation and meals):
1 Vehicle/1 Person R13,980
1 Vehicle/2 People R14,980
1 Vehicle/3 People R15,980
1 Vehicle/4 People R16,980
Tour price is calculated on number of adults (over 18) per vehicle.
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.
What is not included in the tour price:
Accommodation and food (we arrange everything and invoice you separately. Work on R 1450 per person per night)
4×4 permits (usually around R250 per vehicle)
Sewefontein Tour (R50 pp)
Lunches
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