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Bonniedale Attaquaskloof
Reviewed: DO #17, 2007
         |
Awards:
Roll of Honour 2006 | Top 10 winner 2005 | Top 10 winner 2004 
Contact:
Nico & Danette Hesterman
Telephone:
044 695 3175
E-mail address:
bonniedale@mweb.co.za
Web page:
http://www.bonniedale.com
Nearest town:
Mossel Bay (54km) |
-33.871500, 21.855930
|
Route distance:
2 trails: 35km | 6-8 hours
Best time:
April, May and September
How do I get there:
GPS: S33.87383 E21.85996
Surrounds:
Located within the greater Attaquas Kloof Conservancy, this 1 650-ha natural fynbos farm is set amid the spectacular Outeniqua Mountains.
The Bonniedale Holiday Farm is a delightful stopover within easy reach of the Garden Route. Set against a scenic mountain backdrop, it's the perfect spot to unwind, or from which to explore their 35km of trails.
One of the highlights is taking a plunge in the secluded rock pool at the end of the drive, with Bonniedale's charming 1890 farmhouse beckoning you home at the end of a long day.
This is a back-to-nature experience blending historic and scenic 4x4 adventure with relaxing walks and refreshing swims in rock pools.
The trail:
There are over 35km of well-maintained, clearly-signposted and sensibly-challenging trails, divided into two 17½-km sections.
Trail 1, is a delightful and scenic trail that doesn’t pose too many obstacles. It's great for beginners or family outings.
The 2nd, offers a diverse range of challenges. From river crossings to rocky cambers, the trails are extremely challenging and very steep in parts.
The trails on the farm are well laid out, sensibly challenging and offer wonderful scenery and an interesting nature experience.
Although not suitable for vehicles without low range, the trails are not vehicle breakers. Escape routes are available at most of the tougher sections. The trails are self-drive but guides are available.
A chat with Nico will make the experience even more rewarding as he's a fountain of knowledge on the area, its fauna and flora.
Permits are issued at Bonniedale for the adjoining CapeNature’s 16-km Attakwas Nature Reserve Trail.
Accommodation:
Options include a farmhouse with three en-suite double bedrooms - self-catering. There’s a guesthouse for those who want a little luxury, a large self-catering chalet (with four en-suite bedrooms, an open-plan lounge, pub, kitchen and dining room) that sleeps 14 and a secluded three-bedroomed, self-catering cabin in the Attaquas Nature Reserve itself that sleeps 12.
Camping:
The well-shaded and grassed main campsite - with hot and cold water and undercover lapas - is situated about 400m from the main house on the Kamma River. It can accommodate large groups of campers.
A second campsite is situated alongside the dam and a third, more secluded site, lies alongside the Kamma River.
There are two further bush camps in the mountains, but these can only be reached by 4x4.
What else:
Hiking, rock pools, paragliding, horse riding, mountain biking and a shooting range for catapults, longbows, crossbows and rifles.
Abseiling and rock climbing is available on request.
Para gliders and quad bikes are welcome. 
101 Trail Guide | 2010
Bonniedale Holiday Farm
Bonniedale Holiday Farm is set on 1 650 hectares of natural fynbos, about 54 km from Mossel Bay and 72 km from Oudtshoorn. The farm is surrounded by the 14 000-hectare Attaquaskloof Nature Reserve.
The trail is situated in the Attaquaskloof, formed by the western end of the Outeniqua Mountains and the eastern end of the Langeberg. It is divided into two sections, both 17.5 km.
The Grootkloof/Sunbird section is graded 4, while the Goliatsberg/Bymans section has a grading of 3.
Both offer a significant test of driver skill. You can look forward to steep decents and nail-biting river crossings to get the adrenalin flowing. The reward from the top is views over the Outeniqua and Langeberg mountains.
Well maintained and well laid-out, the trail’s sections are not vehicle breakers, but they are challenging in parts and are not suitable for vehicles without low-range. The driver needs to exercise the necessary control.
The trail is a self-drive one, although guides are available on request. The owner, Nico Hesterman, is a fountain of knowledge on the area and its fauna and flora.
Accommodation:
There’s a guesthouse, a self-catering cottage, a cabin and camping. The thatched guesthouse has three double en-suite bedrooms (one a family room with double bed and double bunk), and can be fully catered or self-catering. The self-catering cottage sleeps 14 in four en-suite bedrooms, and has a lounge, pub, kitchen, dining room, open fireplace and swimming pool. There is also a secluded 3-bedroom self-catering cabin in the Attaquaskloof Nature Reserve that sleeps 12. The main campsite, 400 m from the farmhouse on the Kamma River, features hot and cold ablutions and covered lapas. Each site is grassed and shaded, with a private braai. There are also two bush camps in the mountains, one alongside a dam and a secluded site along the Kamma River.
What else?
Hiking, rock pools, paragliding, horse riding and mountain biking. There is also a shooting range for catapults, longbows, crossbows and rifles. Abseiling and rock climbing on request. Para gliders and quad bikes welcome. The animal checklist comprises 46 mammal species and 109 bird species.
What you need to know
Contact:
Nico and Danette Hesterman
044 695 3175;
bonniedale@mweb.co.za,
www.bonniedale.com
Full Review | ROLL OF HONOUR
Drive Out TOP TEN: 2004, 2005, 2006
Nearest town Mossel Bay (60 km)
Contact Nico & Danette Hesterman
Tel 044 695 3175
Email bonniedale@mweb.co.za
Website www.bonniedale.com
Best time of year April, May and September
Maximum vehicles 15
Route distance 35 km
GPS Points S33 52 25.8 E21 51 35.9
We can tell you about the thrilling driving.
We can tell you about the magnificent views.
We can go on about the awesome accommodation, the flora, the fauna and the birdlife, but the reason why Bonniedale is firmly entrenched in our Roll of Honour is that even if we were to say all that, we would only be scratching the surface.
“More than just a 4x4 trail,” wrote Drive Out publisher Andrew Nunneley. “
There is so much to do here that it really deserves a week of your time!” This makes it an ideal family venue.
Owners Nico and Danette Hesterman are sterling examples of how important good management is when it comes to running a 4x4 trail. After the recent floods, they not only had the campsite rebuilt, and the trail repaired and running in a matter of weeks, they also took the opportunity to improve a route that runs through their farm. “We now offer a fantastic alternative to driving along the N2,” says Danette. We can’t wait to try it out!
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