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.
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.
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.
