Wild about this game drive

Cash in your Gautrain tickets and forget the zoo ... According to Geoff Levey, De Wildt 4x4 offers city-bound adventurers a lively ride and the chance to see lots of game.

The point of the De Wildt trail, laid out on 460 ha at the foot of the Magaliesberg, is of course to do some real challenging 4x4 driving. But it is also to see lots of game and get close to the beautiful mountain.

The farm sits just around the corner from the Hartbeespoort Dam, and it is made up of mountains, valleys, rivers and some savannah. It is close to Johannesburg and Pretoria and the ideal day-outing for the family ... and why not invite some friends along too.

The trail takes you through grasslands and bushveld, and over loose rock and sand, even mud. While most of the 14 km loop is in a valley, three loops run off it to more challenges on the mountain. The most difficult sections and obstacles have escape routes.

Although De Wildt is open to 4x2s with decent ground clearance, the loops aren’t softroader-friendly.

Axle-twisters and trophy pics

After arriving at De Wildt, you’ll be asked to complete an indemnity form and you’ll receive a map of the clearly marked trail.
Keep an eye on the map, because it indicates which sections you have to drive clockwise and which are done anticlockwise.From the starting point on a wooden bridge, the trail heads straight up the mountain with an easy high-range ascent.
Take your time and keep your eyes peeled − the guys at De Wildt reckon you will see more game here in half an hour than you will in the Kruger in a week.
Of course they’re exaggerating, but vast numbers of zebra, springbok, kudu, giraffe and brown hyena can be seen along the trail.

The trail was laid out to run through the areas that have the most game.
Once you’re on the plateau, the first loop runs off to the left and leads higher up the mountain where the terrain and view change dramatically.
A number of axle-twisters and steep, rocky slopes will make you work for the view from the lookout point on top.

After taking an award-winning landscape photograph, you complete the loop and end up back on the main track that descends into the valley.
The track crisscrosses a long kloof that has numerous challenging axle-twisters. An escape route allows you to bypass the kloof if it is flooded in the rainy season.
Gert se Klip, a sheer, 20 m-long rock face, is up next. It has enough turning space on top so you can tackle it from both sides, if you feel like it.

Some sightseeing and a water-stop later, you face another optional loop that challenges even the most experienced driver. It is only suitable for vehicles with good ground clearance and generous approach, departure and breakover angles.
After climbing a while, you encounter a variety of obstacles that combine rock, mud and dugouts − the type of tricky terrain where you can refine your driving techniques.
You’ll have some white-knuckle moments on sharp descents, while a number of cross-axle obstacles will leave one of your back wheels up in the air.

After rejoining the main trail, you drive through a quarry before returning to the starting point.

A Mitsubishi training centre with certified training facilities, De Wildt has a training track with the full array of obstacles on it. You can warm up here and get some experience before you head out to tackle the main 4x4 trail.

De Wildt is well equipped for day visitors and overnighters. It has a well-appointed picnic area with braai facilities, a lapa and sports bar.
Entertainment includes a play park for the kids, a swimming pool and mountain biking.

Accommodation options range from seven self-catering log cabins, which sleep a total of 21 people, and a Honeymoon Hut, to camping.
All the units have a bathroom, a kitchen and a braai area. The neat cabins are self-catering, but all you need to bring is food and drinks.
The Honeymoon Hut is situated at a water hole and has an outdoor shower.

The campsite has 20 stands for caravans and tents with power points and a central ablution facility.
On a deck overlooking the dam, you can relax and have sundowners.

Drive Out says: It is the ideal place to sharpen your 4x4 techniques and recovery skills, in a safe, relaxed and beautiful environment that the whole family can appreciate.

What you should know
The De Wildt trail offers solitude, beautiful surroundings and excellent, well-maintained facilities for everyone from small children to the manne, for a relaxing weekend close to Pretoria and Johannesburg. It is a family destination, because it gives the guys the chance to do challenging 4x4 driving at the foot of the Magaliesberg, while the chance to see game will keep the rest of the family busy.

THE SURROUNDS
Best time to go? All year round
Can I take my family along? Yes
Just for the day or the weekend? You choose.
Are there ablution facilities for day visitors? Yes
Can I see game? Definitely
The nearest town? Pretoria (20 km)
The nearest fuel? Pretoria (20 km)

How do I get there?
From Pretoria take the N1 North till you reach the N4. Turn left on the N4 towards Rustenburg. Take the M17 Pretoria West / Garankuwa off-ramp and turn left at the end of the off-ramp. At the first road turn right on the R513 towards Brits. Turn left at the De Wildt signboards about 20 km further.

GPS: S35.67601 E27.94518

WHERE CAN I STAY?
In a log cabin, the Honeymoon Hut or the campsite

WHAT ELSE?
Should I take anything special?
Binoculars, sunscreen, hat, swimming costume, animal, bird and flower books

What else can I do there?
You can go hiking or mountain biking and do game drives and 4x4 driver training. You can also visit the nearby Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre.

COSTS
Trail: R190 per vehicle for two persons,
R50 per person thereafter
Accommodation: Prices are available on request.

CONTACT
Louis van der Merwe 
083 268 8185;
info@dewildt4x4.co.za,
www.dewildt4x4.co.za

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101 Trail Guide | 2010

De Wildt 4x4

Situated next to the De Wildt Cheetah Breeding Station near the Hartbeespoort Dam, De Wildt is all about ensuring your appreciation of the animals and the Magaliesberg mountain scenery.

The 4x4 trail is clearly marked in correlation with a map, so you know where you are all the time. Keep an eye on the map as you drive, as some parts are completed clockwise and others anticlockwise.
While incorporating as much game viewing as possible, the route offers a number of challenges – from grassland to bushveld, loose rock to sand and even mud.
After climbing for a while, you will come across sharp descents on the plateau that will leave one of your back wheels high and dry, and a number of cross-axles that will have you begging for mercy.
These sections will be even more challenging if you try to negotiate them without spinning or engaging diff lock.

Although open to 4x2 vehicles, some sections aren’t suitable for softroaders and will need to be bypassed. Not least of these is a 20 m steep rock face and an old playpit quarry, which can be negotiated in both directions. All obstacles have escape routes, but whichever course you choose, the view from the top makes it all worthwhile.

De Wildt is a Mitsubishi training centre with certified training facilities.

ACCOMMODATION:
Options range from seven self-catering log cabins and the Moon House, to camping. All units have a bathroom, kitchen and braai area. For the newlyweds there is a Honeymoon Hut at a water hole, with a glass roof and outdoor shower.
There are also 20 sites for caravans and tents, with power points and a central ablution facility.

WHAT ELSE?
Hiking, a climbing wall, mountain biking, game drives, and 4x4 driver training.
Paintball and archery are available on request. The deck overlooking the dam is a great place for sundowners, and three lapas are available for weddings, conferences and functions.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Contact:
Louis van der Merwe
083 268 8185,
082 554 5334;
info@dewildt4x4.co.za,
www.dewildt4x4.co.za

Nearest town: Pretoria (20 km)

Best time to go: All year round

Trail distance: 14 km

How long will I be driving? 2-3 hours

GPS: S25.67601 E27.94518

FULL REVIEW | JULY 2006 (DO15) | Danie Vorster

Nearest town Pretoria/Hartbeesfontein/Johannesburg
Contact 1: Chris van Vuuren
Cell 083 268 8185 or
Contact 2: Louis
082 554 5334
Fax 012 504 1396
Email dewildt4x4@mweb.co.za
Website www.dewildt4x4.co.za
Best time of year All year
Route distance 2 options: 14km (2 hours)

De Wildt 4x4 Game Park is one of those destinations where both the beginner and expert can take their 4x4 and enjoy the game drive.

This trail has two options, making it accessible for both 4x4 and 4x2 vehicles. Travelling through the dense bush with the trees forming a canopy above, you might spot the elusive kudu, while on the open grasslands you tend to see springbok, blesbok and giraffe.

The trail makes its way up a koppie where you encounter blue wildebeest, zebra and eland.

The 4x4 trail has various challenging obstacles, such as sharp descents that will leave your back wheel high and dry and a number of cross-axle situations that can be even more challenging if you try to negotiate them without spinning and without engaging your diff-lock.

The trail traverses a variety of terrain, from loose rock to sand and even mud, thus giving the novice 4x4 enthusiasts the opportunity to test their own skills and their vehicles’ capabilities in a safe environment without the risk of damage.

For the more experienced there are some tricky obstacles, not least the 20m sheer rock face that can be negotiated either up or down.

But something that one must do at De Wildt is experience sunset from one of the viewpoints.

Back at camp the kids can go swimming or see who can climb the highest up the climbing wall. De Wildt has an excellent lapa that can be used for corporate team-building and conferences.

WHY I LOVED IT
“De Wildt is one of those places you can escape to when city life is getting too much. The trail itself is not so challenging, but the relaxed environment, the game-viewing and the Magaliesberg mountain scenery makes this a superb destination. Chris and Heleen go out of their way to make sure that everything is to your satisfaction and Heleen  makes a mean ‘pap tert’ that you can order for your braai under the stars.” Danie Vorster

WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation ranges from log cabins and a moon house to camping. 
All the units have a bathroom, a kitchen and a braai area.
The campsite has 20 camp sites and a central ablution facility.

WHAT ELSE

• Activities on offer include a hiking, a climbing wall, mountain biking, game drives on an open bakkie, 4x4 driver training and corporate team-building. Paintball and archery are available on request, as well as horse riding at the nearby stables. 
• Some very rare cactus species can be found in the Waterberge, and various trees in De Wildt have their own identification tags.
• Enjoy breakfast and pub lunches at the restaurant

SPECIALIST PACKING
Binoculars, camera, hiking boots, sunscreen, swimming costume,
hat, bird & plant books, raincoat and recovery kit

THE COST
Log cabins & Moon House R150 pppn;
Camping R40 per site & R20 pppn
4x4 trail R100 pv (2 people) & R20 pp extra
Hiking & mountain biking R30 pp
Game drives R50 pp (1½ hours)

WHY GO THERE

• The pristine environment at the foot of the Magaliesberg
• Several game species
• Peace and tranquillity
• Easy access – close to Pretoria, Johannesburg & Brits
• Variety of ecosystems