101 Trail Guide | 2010

Kalahari Seekoeibaard Sand Route

The Kalahari Seekoei-baard Sand Route, one of Drive Out’s 2007 Top Ten winners, lies 95 km from the Kalahari Witsand Nature Reserve, on the farm Transboegoe bordering the reserve.
Transboegoe offers four trails totalling over 100 km of off-road driving – much of that in thick, red Kalahari sand. The Seekoeibaard is a good one to start off with. It is a 28 km circular trail that takes in some of the best dunes on the farm. You have to get there first, though – and that involves a rocky climb over the Boegoeberge mountains that is a bit slow and tedious.
Just as you start to wonder if you’re on the wrong route, you round a corner … and there is your first sand dune. However, the Kalahari desert is not like the Namib or the Sahara, so don’t expect a sea of rolling dunes. “Thirstland” is a better way to describe it, and much of the landscape is covered by grasses and small trees.
Sand driving is tons of fun, but it takes a while to get used to and beginners often find themselves getting bogged down. Thankfully, the trail starts off quite easily, giving you a chance to settle in before you hit the serious stuff. Even so, you’ll want to let down the tyre pressure as soon as you reach the sand – rather now, while you’re on a level patch, than halfway up a dune later on.
The trail starts at the Boegoeberg Dam wall, going all along the riverside on sand banks, and up a rocky hill.
The slopes of the dunes are very steep in some parts, and a couple of rocky patches are hidden beneath the sand, so be careful.
All the dunes have name signs that are a good indication of what to expect ... be prepared for a surprise on Skrikduin. Dikeetduin offers just about the only shade on the route in the form of a simple netting lapa, with braai, so this is the place to stop for lunch. There are escape routes for the less adventurous.
Fuel supplies in the area are restricted, so if you’re planning to head straight from one trail to the next, you need to carry extra fuel.

What you need to know

Accommodation:
Set within a riverside forest of raisin and karee trees, Transboegoe’s grassed campsite is right on the river. There are power points, and extension cords are available on request. You can also hire self-catering chalets on the other side of the dam, provided you don’t mind being ferried across every morning and evening.
 

What else?
Boegoeberg Dam is great for water sports – and there’s a slipway at the campsite where you can launch your boat. Carp and yellowfish are plentiful, and you can go tubing or canoeing on the river. Quad bikes are welcome. Nearby attractions include Witsand Nature Reserve, the Orange River wine route and a small English graveyard from the Anglo-Boer War.
 

Contact:
Louwrens and Elzahn Fourie 
083 500 7180,
083 257 4730;
elzahnfourie@gmail.com
 

Nearest town: Groblershoop (50 km)

Best time to go: All year, but March is best.

Trail distances: The 4 trails total 113 km.

How long will I be driving? 6-9 hours to 3 days

GPS: S29.04219 E22.27015

FULL REVIEW | DO18
Kalahari Seekoeibaard Sand Route

Nearest town Groblershoop (50km)
Contact Louwrens Fourie
Tel 083 500 7180
E-mail info@transboegoe.co.za
Website www.transboegoe.co.za
Best time of year All year, but march is best
Route distance 27km - 41km

Historically, when one thought of visiting the wonders of the Northern Cape the association was always that of Witsands, and why not?
The reserve is a great stopover and, from a 4x4 perspective, acts as the perfect springboard to two fantastic sand trails, the Kalahari Mountain View 4x4 Dune Route and the Kalahari Seekoeibaard Sand Route.

These two trails, located on neighbouring farms, have made their respective facilities available to the reserve.
Both are excellent in their own right, but often get overlooked due to their location and association. No longer! The Kalahari Seekoeibaard Sand Route, one of Drive Out’s 2007 Top Ten winners, has gone independent.

The Kalahari Seekoeibaard lies 95km from the Kalahari Witsands Nature Reserve. It is one of four trails located on the Trans Boegoe Farm, and is now entirely managed by Trans Boegoe themselves.

It starts at the Boegoeberg dam wall, goes all along the riverside on sand banks and up a rocky hill with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. A couple of rocky patches are covered with red Kalahari sand, so be careful.
And remember, the slopes of the sand dunes are very steep and difficult to drive in some parts. But that said, it’s a beautiful and unique route.

There are escape routes for the less adventurous, but be aware that fuel availability in the area is a problem. If you’re planning to head straight from one trail to the next you’ll need to carry your own fuel with you.
Plus, if you are planning to visit both routes whilst there, make sure you put enough time aside to really enjoy it!
Trans Boegoes’ credo is that mother nature is our privilege, not our right, so come and appreciate the tranquillity of nature.

WHERE TO STAY

Trans Boegoe boasts excellent camping facilities right on the river. The camp is situated within a natural riverside forest of raisin and karee trees, and the entire camping area is covered by a soft lawn.
Power points are located throughout the terrain and extension cords are
available on request.

WHAT ELSE

• The dam is not only ideal for swimming, but has proven to be a fishing paradise. In the streams below the dam, carp and yellowfish are plentiful. The entire area is also ideal for fly fishing.
• Bring your jetski or motor boat and enjoy the waters of the Orange River.
• Quad bikes are welcome.