September 2016

September 2016

 Johannesburg, Kgalagadi, Goegap Nature Reserve, Clanwilliam, Cape Town, 

Victoria Bay, Karoo National Park, River Destiny Lodge

 and back to Johannesburg

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We had decided to originally take my remaining 2 weeks leave from IBM in September, but then IBM threw a curved ball and retrenched me. So, we amended our plans and took a few extra days in Cape Town and added in a few days at the Kgalagadi park. The round trip as per the map below.

This time we were travelling with the Chevrolet Trailblazer and our trusted Jurgens Avion L caravan.

Our first stop was to be a lodge in Upington. This was a total of 761 Km's for this first leg of the trip. So we made a early start as we wanted to have some time relaxing near the Orange River in Upington.

The trip takes us past Sannieshof and Kathu. 

In Sannieshof we stopped off at a small butchery, because we have previously found that the butcher sold some really great spices. So we bought 2 different types from him. 

Then we progressed onto Upington and to our accommodation for the evening. This I had booked over the internet and it looked good in the pictures and the reviews.

On arrival, the staff were very friendly and we were shown to our own private little chalet. Actually it was rather big. Two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen, bathroom with bath and full shower. The chalet looked out over the Orange river and green grass. It was perfect. The accommodation that I had booked was fantastic and we really enjoyed the few hours of sunlight there.

The trip up to the park was only 253km's. So we enjoyed a leisurely buffet breakfast which was most enjoyable and took a slow drive up thereafter.

The R360 is now a lovely tarred road. This tar road continued all the way to the gate of the park. Along the way there are numerous salt pans, some of which are being mined for their salt.

This is one of the many pans that you find along the road fro Upington to the park.

Just before the turn off to the park, you come across a small town called Askham. This is a little off the road (400m) and the access road is really terribly corrugated. We decided to go into the village to see what was on offer. We found a really nice coffee and gift shop (Padstal I suppose). 

We enjoyed a drink there.

We arrived at the Kgalagadi round about midday. 

So, after checking in, we parked the caravan under some trees near the chalet. We had decided not to camp and had booked one of the SanParks chalets. Good choice !

The braai facilities for each chalet are quiet a way from the chalet, for some strange reason. But n on the less we enjoyed a few braai's in the evenings.

We did see a large selection of animals, and here are a few :

Gemsbok.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemsbok

The gemsbok or gemsbuck (Oryx gazella) is a large antelope in the Oryx genus. It is native to the arid regions ofSouthern Africa, such as the Kalahari Desert. 

Springbok

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springbok

The springbok /ˈsprɪŋˌbɒk/ (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a medium-sized antelope found mainly in southern and southwestern Africa. The sole member of the genus Antidorcas, this bovid was first described by the German zoologist Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zimmermann in 1780

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Lion :

http://www.tswalu.com/media/blog-article/the-black-maned-kalahari-lions

The Kalahari lions are known for their majestic size and beautiful manes, although they are actually the same species as other lions found across Africa.

Giraffe :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giraffe

The giraffe (Giraffa) is a genus of African even-toed ungulate mammals, the tallest living terrestrial animals and the largestruminants. The giraffe's chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like ossicones, and its distinctive coat patterns.

Birds of prey :

There were so many birds of prey on this trip. We find it difficult to identify these, even using binoculars, Sasol Bird book and Sasol bird app. None the less, they were impressive.

Kori Bustard :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kori_bustard

he kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) is the largest flying bird native to Africa. It is a member of the bustard family, which all belong to the order Gruiformes and are restricted in distribution to the Old World. It is one of the four species (ranging from Africa to India to Australia) in the large-bodied Ardeotis genus. In fact, the male kori bustard may be the heaviest living animal capable of flight.

Secretary Bird :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretarybird

The secretary bird or secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a very large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemicto Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Saharan region. Although a member of the order Accipitriformes, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, hawks, vultures, and harriers, it is given its own family, Sagittariidae.

Other Birds and animals seen :

We decided to take the Leeudril 4x4 drive over the dunes. This drive is not very challenging but there are some soft sand dunes that you need to navigate. Some have been known to be stuck on these for a few hours. But the Trailblazer cruised through them all.

 It was amazing how much grass there was in the Kalahari, this time.

The picnic spots in the park are very good. Some are relatively far apart, but they have flush toilets and water. There are also tables and chairs which are strategically laced under some of the trees, to try and provide shade. We stopped off at a few of them, sometimes for a cold drink out of the Mobicool fridge and others for a bite of lunch.

They are currently working on revamping the petrol station at the camp. So there was only diesel there (lucky for me) and no petrol at all. I had to fill up at the temporary fuel depot.

When travelling on the corrugated roads, its recommended and advisable (by Sanparks officials) to drop the tyre pressure to 1.6 bar. I dropped mine to 1.5 bar and it really made a huge difference. They have a deflate and compressor at the fuel pump as well, so no problems pumping the tyres back up again.

Soon, it was time to leave the park and continue on our travels. Because we had 628 km's to travel, we left as the gates opened.

We traveled back to Upington and then continued along the N14 and traveled the 628Km's to Goegap Nature Reserve (just outside Springbok). passing through, Keimoes, Kakamas, Pofadder, Aggeneys and Springbok.

The Nature Reserve is roughly 10Km's outside of Springbok.

Our campsite at Goegap. It was lovely, as it was on the edge of the camping area and looked out over the "bush".

https://www.sanparks.org/parks/namaqua/

It is truly an amazing experience and site. We had decided that we would also travel to the Namaqua National Park, and in particular the Sklipad area. This is normally where the abundance of wild flowers are seen.

This year (2016) the flowers were not as good as they were during our last visit 3 years ago. But they were still amazing !

We left Goegap and our next destination was a caravan park near Clanwilliam.

We travelled through Kamieskroon, Garies, Ventersdorp and Klawer. We had booked at the Rondeberg resort which is conveniently situated just off the N7 Cape Town Namibia Route, 22 km north of Clanwilliam, on the banks of the Bulshoek Dam. I had booked a private ablution campsite. It looked superb.

So we decided to do a a round trip from Clanwilliam to Paternoster.

Paternoster is one of the oldest fishing villages on the West Coast of South Africa. It is situated 15 km north-west of Vredenburg and 145 km north of Cape Town, at Cape Columbine between Saldanha Bay and St Helena Bay.

We had lunch at a beach restaurant just inside the Cape Columbine park. It was really wonderful.

.

 We stopped off at a small curio shop in the village, as well.

Some people might appreciate this, if you enjoy rugby and support "province"

We also visited Lambers Bay and the bird island reserve to see the Cape Gannet. There is an information center and visitors look out where a very helpful and extremely knowledgeable official is at hand to explain the coming and going of these birds.

Bird Island lies about 100m off the shore of Lambert’s Bay on the Cape’s West Coast. It offers visitors a rare opportunity to see the blue-eyed Cape gannet up close. Bird Island is one of only six sites world-wide where Cape gannets breed, and it is the only breeding site easily accessible to the public.

http://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/bird-island-nature-reserve/

We also had some lunch at a lovely restaurant at the harbor.

Whilst in Clanwilliam we also decided to take a drive up the Pakhuis pass. This is an amazing pass and the scenery was fantastic.

http://mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za/find-a-pass/western-cape/item/52-pakhuis-pass,-cederberg.html

Our next camp was at Melkbosstrand, near Cape town.

From Clanwilliam we continued along the N7 all the way to Melkbosstrand. This is where we were to stay at the Ou Skip Caravan Resort. It was a total of 284km's and a very pleasant drive. Melkbosstrand is on the west coast and just about 30km's from Cape Town. You get a superb view of Table Mountain from the beach.

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Whilst in Cape Town we decided to just, basically, take it easy and relax. WE did a few of the drives around and also went up to the West Coast National Park and surrounds.

The flowers in the park are only in a small section in the top section of the park.

 Flowers were, however good.

The park is on the Langebaan lagoon and there are some amazing small beaches.

We went into Cape Town and took a walk around the V&A waterfront. However, they are busy with major renovations so it was a bit messy and noisy.

We took a drive up Signal Hill and there were some para-gliders making good use of the breeze.

Soon it was time to leave Cape Town and our next destination was Victoria Bay, about 6km's outside George.

We had decided to take the N1, as opposed to the N2. Basically this was because of some trouble that regularly erupts along the N2. Also because I wanted to take the Hugenot Tunnel,(the wind almost blew the caravan off the road, it was hectic !!) as well. So out trip of 479Km's would take us past and through, Paarl, Worcester where we turned off the N1 onto the R60 and onto Robertson, Ashton, Boesmanspad and Swellendam, where we joined the N2.  From there, it was through Heildeberg, Riversdale, Albertinia, Mosselbay (past the oil works), Brak River (Klein and Groot), Gerorge and finally to Victoria Bay caravan park.

At Victoria Bay I had also booked one of their private ablution sites and these were very nice. Own shower, toilet and wash up facilities. These sites have a full view of the spectacular beach.

We took a drive over the Montagu Pass. This is a dirt road and its very nice to drive.

We had some rain in Victoria Bay, which was very welcome.

From Victoria Bay we were travelling to the Karoo National Park. It was to be out first trip to this particular national park.

So we left Victoria Ban and traveled the 275 Km passing through George, Oudtshoorn, De Rust, and Klaarstroom. At Klaarstroom we took a detour to Prince Albert so that we could visit the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary. From there it was onto Beaufort West and arriving at the Karoo National Park.

We were unaware that you had to book to see the Donkey sanctuary. However, we took a chance and drove down the narrow farm road to the entrance. The caretaker had just arrived before us, so luckily he let us have a look and walk around the donkeys.

We had lunch at a great restaurant at the hotel in Prince Albert. From there it was onto Karoo National Park.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/karoo/

We had a daily visitor at the campsite.

The scenery in the Karoo was amazing. In addition they have introduced lion into the park and we were lucky enough to see a lioness and a cub. The cub was too fast for a picture, but it was there !

We took some of the drives around and also did the 4x4 trail, which was great fun.

National parks have always had a high standard of facilities and we ere not disappointing by those at the Karoo National park.

From Karoo National park we were on our way home and had one overnight stop remaining. So, we departed the park and traveled the 391 Km's through Beaufort West, Richmond, Hanover and Colesburg, all along the N1. Our destination was River Destiny Lodge which is situated on the bank of the Orange River (just downriver from the Gariep Dam).At Colesburg you basically have 2 options, keep on the N1 until the Gariep Dam and double back for a few Km's of take the R58. We took the R58. Its a bot of a bad road, but we made it, We were staying on one of their rooms for the night. We had an enjoyable evening meal and a good breakfast the next morning.

We had a lovely stay at River Destiny Lodge. Our room looked out onto the pool. The Orange river still had some water in it and it flows past the lodge.

had a great dinner. We left early the next morning, before breakfast, which we had at the Wimpy in Bloemfontein.

We continued along the R58, going through Norvalspont and Gariepdam, before taking the R701 to join back onto the N1. the 592 Km's from River Destiny to home, took us along the N1, through Springfontein, Trompsburg, Edenburg, Bloenfontein, Winburg, Ventersburg, Kroonstad and finally into Johannesburg.

What a fantastic trip !!

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Actual fuel and trip log details.

Total Km's Traveled : 6,839
Total Liters of Diesel : 961,20
Total Cost of Diesel : ZAR 11,488,28
Average l/100 Km : 14,05
Average Cost per Liter : ZAR 11,95
Cost per Km : ZAR 1,68

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Golden Gate National Park

Glen Reenen Rest Camp and Clarens - May 2016

Sue and I decided to go off to Golden Gates. We could not get into the accommodation that we wanted but settled for one of their family cottages. Luckily they have a fireplace.

So we set off on Friday afternoon and decided to take an alternate route, down the N1 then onto the R57 through Sasolburg, Heilbron, Reitz and onto the R26 to Bethlehem, Clarens and finally arriving at the Glen Reenen rest camp, a total of approx 337km.

This route was actually in very good condition. The R57 is good and even has passing lanes on  most of the inclines. I was pleasantly surprised.

We were travelling in our Chevrolet Trailblazer without any trailer or caravan as we were staying in a self catering chalet.

We arrived at Glen Reenen at about 14h00 and booked in. The reception was very friendly and efficient and we soon had the key to the chalet. Its about a 1 minute drive to the chalet from the reception and each chalet has covered parking.

This main  entrance is abandoned now and no longer manned. So you merely drive through.

The chalets were good, but you can clearly see the signs of age. Some of the wood is rotten. The shower ceiling is very marked from getting damp (as there is no ventilation such as an extractor fan).
But, there was a fireplace, as well as electric blankets on the beds. We were expecting to it be extremely cold so I had taken along 4 bags of wood for the fire.
The first night we had decided to make a curry and cook a pot bread. Both turned out well. There was enough bread for the braai the following evening as well as for lunch on Saturday.

When we arrived at the chalet there was a lone Eland standing on the hill above.

We were also visited by a number of birds in the later afternoon.

So, the evening was actually not that cold and we had a pleasant nights sleep.
So, whats to do in the area ? Well, at the park there are two routes which you can drive to see animals, plenty of hikes up into the mountains as well as a trip into Clarens, the nearby town. Then, on the way into the park, just before Clarens we had seen a sign for a water outlet, so that would also be on our list.

We took a small walk up one of the hiking trails, but did not go to far. You get to the hiking trails by walking through the caravan park. The ablutions looked good and there were actually 3 sites occupied. It really must have been cold as the caravan park is in a valley, below the chalets. And there was frost in the mornings !!

We decided that we would go to the water outlet, then  onto Clarens and finally do the two animal routes.

We left the chalet at about 09h00 and made our way past Clarens and onto the view site for the outlet.
Its actually the tunnel outlet which brings water from Lesotho Highlands Water scheme, into South Africa. This water flows along 3 rivers before finally reaching the Vaal Dam.

Its actually very interesting. The tunnel was drilled using enormous drilling machines. You can see the size in this picture.

At first, when we were driving down to the site, it looked as if there was no water flowing. But it turned out that it was running at maximum.
There is so much water that a local operation is now running white water rafting down the Ash river !!

Here are some pictures taken at the outflow.

After that, we headed to Clarens. I had actually heard so much about this little dorp and was hopeful that it would live up to its reputation. We turned off the R27 and into the main street. I was amazed at the number of people around. It was difficult to find a parking and the place was full, mostly with GP registered vehicles. But a few FS and ZN vehicles as well.

There are so many shops to pop into. They have some amazing stuff, if you have heaps of cash as the prices seemed to be Sandton type prices rather that country dorp type prices. Needless to say we did not purchase much.
We did find a very nice place where we had tea/coldrinks and I had a scone and Sue had a waffle.

However they have a local micro brewery. So I had a tasting and decided to purchase 6 bottles. 2 Blonds, 2 American pale ale and 2 English ale. I've brought them home, so will see how they taste at the next braai or so.

Every country town in South Africa has a Church, and Clarens is no exception.

After our meander around Clarens we headed back to the chalet for a late lunch.

We sat outside in the sun and also had a nice cup of tea.

Thereafter, we decided to go and see some animals !
We decided to take the two routes which are available. It was disappointing that the routes were so short.
On the first route, Oribi we were lucky enough to see 1 buffalo and 1 Bontebok. They were too far off for a picture.

On the second route, we did see a few Zebra. Also too far off for a picture.

It was disappointing that they seem to have removed most of the animals. But, at least the scenery was great.

Thereafter it was back to the chalet, late afternoon. I had a read of the SA 4X4 magazine and Sue was doing a few crosswords.

That afternoon, when we came back to the rest camp, we noticed a whole hoard of people mingling in the car park. This turned out to be a party. Of cause there was music, drinking, urinating  on the side of the road etc. It spoiled it for us. Also, what was amazing is that the SAN Parks officials allowed this to happen. There is a designated picnic site with ablutions and braai places about 1km down the road that these people could have been told to move to.

Anyway luckily day visitors have to be out before sunset.

That evening we had a very nice relaxing braai. It was not really very cold on the Saturday evening.

Sunday came all to quickly and we had breakfast and packed up. We had decided to stop off at the grave site of the Van Reenen family, which was just down the road from the rest camp. This must be the family after which the rest camp is named. If you study the grave stones, the family seems to have had a torrid time. Anyway.

From there we decided to head home on the same route as we had taken on the Friday.

We decided to stop off somewhere for lunch. First we tried Heilbron - but as it was a Sunday everything except the trading store was closed. So the next town was Sasolburg. We looked at the Garmin selection for restaurants and found a Spur and a Pub and Grub. Luckily the Pub and Grub was closed (it did not look good from the outside) so we decided on the Spur. They are always good.
I  had though that Sasolburg would be quiet a big place. But, I definitely would not go there again if I did not have to.

We arrived hoke at about 14h30.


Trip details according to Garmin:

Total Km                  -   772 Km's
Mx Speed                 -  124Km/h
Moving Average        -  82 Km/h
Overall Average        -  75 Km/h
Total Time                 - 10h15m
Moving Time             -   9h26m

I dont have fuel statistics as yet because I have not filled up and still have over a quarter of a tank left.