This tour will start and end at the popular Rooiberg Lodge near Van Wyksdorp, exploring the vast, rugged beauty of the Swartberg range – one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.
The routes we have chosen are generally not difficult, and can be managed by any 4×4 vehicle with low range capability. (Please note that no pets are allowed.)
- Distance: 980 km.
- Drivers’ Briefing, VHF Radio Fitment & Welcoming Party: 18h00 on Sunday, 7th July, 2024 Rooiberg Lodge.
- Start Rooiberg Lodge – 08h30: Monday, 8th July, 2024
- Closing Function & Prize-giving: Rooiberg Lodge, 18h00 Saturday, 13th July, 2024
- End of Tour/Departure: 09h00 –Sunday, 14th July, 2024
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
Itinerary
Sunday 7th July 2024
The group meets up at the Rooiberg Lodge between 14.00 and 16.00 when we fit your two way radio and magnetic aerial, deflate tyres for gravel travel and at 18.00 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.
Monday 8th July – 273 km
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 Langeberg. We will stop at the Muiskraal farm stall for a short break and if you like olive oil, this is where you can get first grade products at very affordable prices. Come prepared!
We then drive down the lovely Garcia’s Pass towards Riversdale on the tarred R323 and get back onto gravel for an enjoyable drive along the foothills of the Langeberg heading west past the Korintepoort Dam.
Our route takes in a long clockwise oval loop through some magnificent scenery, culminating in the two spoor Gysmanshoek Pass, followed by the little known Brandrivier Pass, after which we reconnect with the tarred R323, but only for a short while, before heading back east to the Rooiberg Lodge where we will enjoy our second evening on tour under bright Karoo stars and sample some fine Karoo cuisine in the thatched main lodge accompanied by a crackling log fire.
The passes are marked (G) for gravel and (T) for tar:
Muiskraal Pass (T)
Garcias Pass (T)
Plattekloof Pass (G)
Moodies Pass (G)
Boosmansbos Pass (G)
Doringkraal Pass (G)
Seekoeigat Pass (G)
Wadrift Pass (G)
Gysmanshoek Pass (G)
Brandrivier Pass (G)
Voetpadkloof (T)
Tuesday 9th July: 239 km
Depart 0830 after breakfast. We head north over the majestic Rooiberg Pass and stop in Calitzdorp for refuelling. We then head west along gravel roads taking in some passes you are unlikely to have traversed as we ply the farm roads south of the Swartberg range. Later we turn east and drive another set of remote passes, culminating the descent of the Bosluiskloof Pass just before sunset, when the hills come alive in the fading rays of the sun.
Our routing will be:
Assegaaibosch Pass (G)
Rooiberg Pass (G)
Calitzdorp (Town)
Huisrivier Pass (T)
Amalienstein & Zoar (Villages)
Hoekoe Valley Road (G)
Stanley’s Light (POI)
Vyversrus (Farm)
Klein Swartberg Pass (G)
Volstruispoort (G)
Perdenek Pass (G)
Kouberg Pass (G)
Bosluiskloof Pass (G)
Our overnight venue will be the Bosch Luys Kloof Lodge, which is located inside a private nature reserve. The lodge offers many activities including hikes, game drives, bird watching and 4×4 routes or you can just chill at your chalet and relax.
Wednesday 10th July: (Free day)
After a leisurely breakfast, the day is yours to enjoy as you please. Choose one of the activities on offer and soak up the incredible peace and quiet in and around the lodge. You can also take a drive to the Gamkapoort Dam which is just a few kilometres to the east. The lodge offers game drives (for own cost).
You can enjoy lunch at the lodge as well, which will be included.
Thursday 11th July – 272 km
Another big day getting into the flanks of the Swartberg range with sensational views and who knows, there might even be a bit of snow?
We head back up the Bosluiskloof Pass (as it’s the only road out of the valley) and drive the amazing Seweweekspoort. For many this road is superior to Meiringspoort, for its more leisurely pace and lack of traffic. The light will be perfect for photography early in the morning. We then drive the Huisrivier Pass for the second time and leave the R62 at Calitzdorp, following the back roads through quiet hamlets with art galleries and stunning scenery. Our route joins the R328 near the foot of the Swartberg Pass, but we turn south heading to Schoemanspoort, then we go back onto gravel as we drive east towards De Rust.
Another highlight of the day is Meiringspoort with a stop at the waterfall, followed by a trio of gravel passes, before reconnecting with the tarred R407 and an easy run into Prince Albert. Our overnight venue is the Mont d’Or Swartberg Hotel.
Depart 0830 after breakfast. Routing for the day:
Bosluiskloof Pass (G) (ascending)
Seweweekspoort (G) (descending)
Huisrivier Pass (T) repeat.
Calitzdorp (Rest rooms & Refuelling option for vehicles with low fuel ranges)
Kruisrivierpoort (G)
Huis se Hoogte Pass (G)
Doringkloof Pass (G)
Schoemanspoort (T)
Rus en Vrede Pass (G)
Oude Muragie Road (G)
De Rust (Refuelling point and rest rooms)
Meiringspoort (T) (Stop at waterfall)
Bloupuntrivierpoort (G)
Kleinvlei Pass (G)
Aapsrivierpoort (G)
Kredouw Pass (T)
Witkranzpoort (T)
Friday 12th July – 112 km
Although the distance is fairly short, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security, as it is a day requiring lots of concentration as we will be driving up the northern side of the Swartberg Pass, then we will peel away into the west following the 37 km long Gamkaskloof Road, also known as The road to Die Hel, or officially the Otto du Plessis Road.
Once we’ve descended the switchback peppered Elands Pass down into the Gamkakloof proper, we will have a light lunch at Fonteinplaas (included in your tour fee) and meet the owners for an informal chat about the amazing history of the secluded valley and their struggle for survival amidst droughts, floods and fires.
After lunch we retrace our route back to the Swartberg Pass and descend the southern side to our overnight venue – Swartberg Country Manor for dinner, bed and breakfast. It is located on the southern foothills of the Swartberg range, near the bottom of the pass.
Witkrantzpoort (T) (Repeat)
Swartberg Pass (G) Northern section ascending
Gamkaskloof (G) (Westbound)
Elands Pass (G) Descending
Die Hel – Light Lunch at Fonteinplaas)
Elands Pass (G) Ascending
Gamkaskloof (G) (Eastbound)
Swartberg Pass (G) Southern section descending
Saturday 13th July: Depart 08h30
Our final day is full of surprises. We remain on gravel as we head towards the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve via the following passes:
Doringnek Pass (G) repeat
Huis se Hoogte (G) repeat
Coetzee’s Poort (G)
Gamkasberg Nature Reserve
Lawson’s Pass (G/C)
Kleinfontein Pass (G)
Uitspan Pass (G)
Assegaaibosch Pass (G)
We get special permission to drive the 4×4 only Lawsons Pass. Once we have connected with the gravel road on the southern side, we enjoy a very scenic Klein Karoo farm drive all the way back to the Rooiberg Lodge.
Our final overnight stay is back at the Rooiberg Lodge (Dinner, bed & breakfast), where we will celebrate the end of the tour in style. The cuisine at Rooiberg is legendary. Arrive hungry!
Sunday 14th July
Depart for home any time after breakfast, but not later than 10h00.
Tour price (adults):
1 vehicle / 1 person R 12,950.
1 vehicle / 2 people R 13,950.
1 vehicle / 3 people R 14,950.
1 vehicle / 4 people R 15,950.
Tour price includes expert guiding, VHF radio hire, a detailed waterproof Slingsby Map (one per vehicle), 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 R1590 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
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