At Buffalo Gorge Eco Adventure Centre near Middelburg, Mpumalanga, you could practise on tough obstacles until you’ve mastered it. But you can also have fun in a softroader, writes Peter Levey.

If you want to sharpen your technique for crossing rivers and crawling over rocks on a 4x4 trail near Gauteng, head for Buffalo Gorge Eco Adventure Centre near Middelburg, Mpumalanga.

For apart from a 4x4 trail that is graded 2–3 (it is partly suitable for a 4x2), there is a playground with 16 crossings through the Bobbejaanloop River. The crossings range from a grade 2 crossing (you’ll make it in your 4x2 bakkie) to serious grade 5 obstacles over rocks, boulders and up slippery banks where you will need a spotter. Training in 4x4 driving can also be arranged.

You could spend hours in the riverbed, testing your skill against the obstacles. Just make sure you do it in a group so that someone can guide and help you make it over the obstacles.

After turning off the N11 between Middelburg and Groblersdal, we follow the signs to the centre, which is 36km north of Middelburg. At the reception tent in the campsite, the owner, Ryk Diepraam, welcomes us and hands us the indemnity forms and a detailed trail map. Seven viewpoints along the trail are clearly marked on the map.

The 4x4 trail is an 18-km long circular route that starts at the campsite and runs anti-clockwise along an escarpment above the Avontuur Valley. A 4-km stretch of the escarpment forms the farm’s eastern border.

At the start of the trail, Ryk takes us on a short walk to the ruins of an old stone kraal in the bush and points out the the impressive skills of the stonemason who built it without cement in the early 20th century. We return to the car and head out on the trail.

The trail runs mostly through grassy plains on old farm tracks. The tracks may be covered with long grass in summer, but the grass is cut down periodically to maintain the trail.

Soon after the start, we drive past the ruins of a 1922 school building in a clump of trees. A photograph of some pupils who attended the school is displayed on the campsite notice board, and one wonders what happened to all those fresh young faces.

After a while the trail runs along the edge of the cliffs where you can stop anywhere to abseil, rock climb or simply marvel at the views over the adjacent Avontuur Valley. If it’s your lucky day, you could see Verreaux’s eagles soaring over the valley.

If it wasn’t for the fact that Ryk had fought off Eskom’s plans some years ago to have electric pylons erected in the valley, you’d be looking at ugly power lines here instead.

You don’t have to be a superfit hiker to get to the viewpoints - they are all at the end of short marked walks from the trail.

Fasten your seatbelts

After quite an easy drive over the open grasslands, we park the cars near the lunch picnic spot and walk to it. Set atop the cliffs with grand views, you can braai here.

Those who are into adventure sports, can abseil down a 50-m cliff, and rock climb up it once they have reached the bottom. If you have a head for heights, you can also pose for a picture here on Ryk’s Klip, a huge rock balancing on the edge of the abyss.

From the lunch spot you have three options: you could continue on the main trail if you have a proper 4x4, take the alternative route for 4x2s and softroaders or take a shortcut back to the campsite.

The 4x4 trail crosses an eroded area where you need to choose the correct line to avoid crossaxle situations. It then descends a steep narrow section, which has been concreted to prevent erosion, before ejecting you on an open plain.

We head to a rock bank where we have two options to get to the turnaround point at the Dassie Chair viewpoint.

The easy route on the left of the rock bank twists along between boulders and fissures.

As we are a bit more adventurous, we choose the more challenging 100-m route over the rock bank to try out our rockcrawling skills. You have to be extremely careful to find a way through and over the rock bank by carefully placing the wheels in the correct place and by following the correct line. This is where you can’t do without a spotter.

We backtrack to the plain where the trail passes a deep donga that is home to hundreds of white-fronted bee-eaters in summer during the nesting season. Although there are no facilities and only drinking water is available here, this is a great area to bush camp if you’ve arranged it beforehand.
From the donga, we return to the track we used on the way in and continue to a sign indicating a right turn. The turnoff leads to the next braai spot where you can relax near a spring.

From here, the trail returns to the campsite past a dam where you could stop to watch many water birds and weaver birds.

Back at our tent in the campsite, we can finally put our feet up and relax in one of the most peaceful campsites you could hope for - it is set in an indigenous forest in a kloof and has a stream running through it.

What you should know

Why should I go?

To enjoy a great nature breakaway an easy drive from Gauteng.

En route:

How long is the trail? 18 km. There is also a short river trail with 16 river crossings.
How long will I be driving? 4 hours
Maximum number of vehicles? No limit
Do I need a map? A map is provided.
Will my car be scratched? No
Should I take the running boards off? It’s unnecessary.
Can I turn around halfway? Yes, and there are shorter route options.
Can we have a braai on the route? Yes
Are there ablution facilities for day visitors? Yes
Can I see game? No

The Surrounds

Best time to go? All year round, but it can get cold when camping in winter.
Should I take my family along? Yes
Just for the day or the weekend? Day visitors and overnight campers are welcome.
The nearest town? Middelburg (36 km)
The nearest fuel? Selonsrivier (15 km)
How do I get there? Take the N11 out of Middelburg towards Groblersdal and after 22km turn right onto the Elandslaagte road. Follow the Buffalo Gorge signs.
GPS: S25.51431 E29.56713

Where can I stay?

In a permanent tent or your own tent in a shady campsite that accommodates 40 people in the kloof. The permanent tents range from a big, single-roomed tent that sleeps 14 to dome tents with mattresses that sleep 4. The Honeymoon Nook dome tent has a double bed with bedding, ablution facilities and an equipped bush kitchen. The large communal bush kitchen has a fridge and freezer.

What else?

Should I take anything special? Abseiling gear, sunscreen, binoculars, bird books and tree books (80 trees have been tagged)
What else can I do there? Quad biking, horse riding (outrides, moonlight rides and two-day safaris are offered), hiking, mountain biking, abseiling, rock climbing, bird watching and swimming. Angling can be arranged on a neighbouring farm. Training in 4x4 driving is also offered.

Costs

Trail: R200 per vehicle, including all passengers
Camping: own tent - R75 pppn. Permanent tent - R250 pp for two nights. R1 450 for two persons for two nights in Honeymoon Nook (includes trail fee)

Contact

Ryk Diepraam 013 245 1049, 083 528 9586; info@hhashi.co.za, www.hhashi.co.za