Javascript is required to view this map.
NOTE: The balloons are on the exact location of the trail, or the nearest town (if we don’t have its coordinates).
Burchell's Track
Reviewed: DO #18, 2007
         |
Contact:
Katot Meyer
Telephone:
044 272 5114 | 044 272 0014
E-mail address:
info@burchell4x4.co.za
Web page:
http://www.burchell4x4.co.za
Nearest town:
Uniondale (35km) |
-33.815590, 23.136140
|
Route distance:
20km | 5 hours
Surrounds:
This scenically beautiful trail through the Klein Karoo traces the route pioneered by botanist W J Burchell, with an ox-wagon sled on the 21st March 1814, while collecting samples for later study in London. The trail was discovered at the end of 1998 when a fire exposed the original tracks.
The trail:
The route passes through constantly changing surrounds that evolves from indigenous forest to steep rocky inclines. There are three river crossings, with clay, slate and sandstone surfaces along the way. The narrow ‘tunnel’ to Burchell’s camp requires precision driving and fine-tuned marshalling, especially for wider vehicles such as a Land Cruiser station wagons. (The occupants of each crossing vehicle that successfully reaches Burchell’s campsite is asked to kill 10 exotic plants each as a contribution to the cause.)
Attractions along the way include diverse fauna and flora and the possibility of visiting rare rock paintings on guided tours when Katot is your warm and entertaining host. He recommends the use of at least two vehicles when the area is wet, as it can become treacherously slippery.
When the going gets tough, just remember Burchell did it in an ox-wagon!
Accommodation:
The closest option is the De Vlugt Outeniqua Trout Lodge log cabins (4km away). For alternatives contact the 4x4 Info Centre in Oudtshoorn.
Camping:
The option is camping or mountain chalets. Burchell’s camp is simple, offering basic shower and flush toilet amenities.
What else:
Spectacular scenic drives (including Prince Alfred’s Pass), hiking, trout fishing and mountain biking. 
101 Trail Guide | 2010
Burchell’s Track
This scenic trail through the Little Karoo traces the route pioneered by British botanist WJ Burchell in March 1814.
Burchell travelled over 7 200 km in a specially-built narrow ox-wagon, while collecting samples for later study in London. His tracks were only discovered at the end of 1998 when they were exposed by fire.
A 20 km self-drive trail, it passes through a kaleidoscope of fauna and flora, and four different plant biomes as diverse as renosterbos veld and indigenous forest. Guides are optional.
Tracing 10 km of Burchell’s exact tracks, it traverses clay, slate and sandstone surfaces, wrestling rocky inclines and three river crossings along the way. The narrow tunnel to Burchell’s camp requires precision driving and some marshalling, especially for wider vehicles such as a Land Cruiser. Bypasses are available on the more difficult sections.
The trail takes about five hours to complete, depending of course on how long you spend at the halfway mark – a delightful picnic spot alongside a forest stream, which is great for kids.
Attractions along the way include the diverse fauna and flora, and, on the guided tours, a chance to see rare rock paintings. When tackled alone as a self-drive, it is recommended that you use at least two vehicles, especially when the area is wet, as it can become treacherously slippery.
However, when the going gets tough, just remember ... Burchell did it all the way in an ox-wagon! As Burchell’s Adventure Trail forms part of the Middle Keurbooms Conservancy, you need a permit to do the trail.
What you need to know
Accommodation:
Rondekop camp, alongside a dam at the start of Burchell’s Track, can accommodate 15 vehicles in well-spaced sites. Facilities include hot showers and flush toilets. Pioneer camp, located in the forest next to a stream, caters for a maximum of 4 vehicles. It has no facilities but plenty of fresh air and silence. For those who seek more comfort, 16 km upstream you will find Williamsburg Farm Cottages (www.williamsburgfarm.net), and 6 km downstream, the Outeniqua Trout Lodge log cabins (www.outeniquatrout.co.za).
What else?
Drive Prince Alfred’s Pass, hiking, trout fishing and mountain biking
Contact:
Katot Meyer
044 272 0014,
044 272 5114;
info@burchell4x4.co.za,
www.burchell4x4.co.za
(“Daylight is for conservation” is Katot’s motto, so phone after dark till 9 pm, or leave a telephonic message.)
Nearest town: Uniondale (35 km)
Trail distance: 20 km
How long will I be driving? 5 hours
GPS: S33.79841 E23.12159
n/a
Add comment