Mountain thriller tests your mettle

Hole in the wall. The elements eroded a hole in this rock on the Malutis Route.

In the Eastern Free State, between Excelsior and Clocolan, lies an adventure farm where you can do some hectic mountain 4x4-ing. Philip Sackville Scott made the grade on Korannaberg Adventures’ impressive trails.

If your family is looking for a little more over a weekend than lazing next to a dam and watching some fishing rods, you should give Korannaberg Adventures a go.
The foothills of the Korannaberg offer some of the best mountain 4x4-ing you can imagine, and for those with different tastes in the family, there are other adventure activities, like abseiling and horse riding. And it’s an easy drive from Bloemfontein.
Korannaberg Adventures is situated 30 km east of Excelsior on Van Zoelenshoek farm, which is run by Bruwer Conradie and his wife, Heleen, who welcome you warmly on arrival. The trail was built on the former Korannaberg/Van Zoelens¬hoek Trails. The facilities and adventure activities immediately impress, but we’re here to 4x4 on the mountain.

The low-down

There are two trails, the scenic Matopos Trail and the challenging Malutis Trail, as well as two playpens. You have to take a guide along on both trails.
The 38 km-long Matopos Trail is the more scenic of the two. It takes about 5 hours to complete. Although the Malutis Trail is shorter at around 20 km, it is more challenging and takes 6-7 hours to complete.
Both routes are on top of the Korannaberg and both are accessed by the same pass. The Matopos Trail lies on the western side of the mountain, while the Malutis is on the eastern side. Both offer stunning views.
Bruwer is planning to reopen a third trail that has fallen into disuse, the Canyon Trail.
Before you set out, you can warm up and hone your skills on the rollercoaster slopes of the playpens along the way.

The Matopos Trail

We leave the reception and wind south towards the Korannaberg. Soon we start to climb up the steep 2.5 km ascent to the Korannaberg plateau.
Easy at first, it becomes progressively steeper. The tricky part is slippery and dotted with run-off mounds that protect the trail against water erosion. Good ground clearance and the correct line are imperative on this section. Once on top, we pass through a gate and turn right onto the Matopos Trail, an unpretentious grassy farm jeep track that is overgrown here and there.
We trace the edge of the flat-topped mountain as the track meanders across sandstone plates, through grasslands and amid a vast variety of indigenous trees including karee, blue guarrie, wild olive and cabbage trees (a total of 52 tree and 769 plant species have been identified on the farm).
Our first stop is next to a dry riverbed through which we clamber to view some Bushman paintings. From there it’s a short drive to the edge of the plateau where you can look out over a waterfall, a 300 m walk away.
The trail continues, tracing the plateau edge, over grassy tracks and rock plates. We stop for lunch at Holkrans Cave where we park in the shade of a cheesewood tree, and take a short walk up to the cave.
The 70 m-long cave is lined with sleeper benches and has a table and anchor points in the rock for hammocks. You can braai here and collect water from a perennial stream nearby. Hikers and 4x4 groups frequently use it as an overnight stop.
After lunch, it’s back to the pass and down the mountain.

The Malutis Trail

Back up the mountain we go the next day to do the Malutis Trail. This time we head east.
“We did the scenic route yesterday, today we 4x4,” Bruwer warns.
The Malutis Trail follows the eastern edge of the plateau. Once on top of the mountain, our first stop is the abseil point. It’s a sheer drop down, and it offers a good view over the pass below.
When Bruwer built this track, he aimed at testing more than just your skills and your car. He wanted to test your courage and your         head for heights. Many of the obstacles place you and your vehicle in seemingly impossible positions: above steep drops, on crazy side slopes and up big boulders.
You are scared of rolling over, of falling off the mountain and of your carburettor engine stalling at that critical moment halfway up a steep rock − as happened to me a few times. Not a pleasant experience when your brakes depend on a running engine.
The trail takes you over sandstone plates, boulders, down gravel slopes and up grass tracks, testing you all the time. Even the Cruiser, with its impressive wheel travel, was coaxed into lifting a hind leg and posing for the camera.
Less than a kilometre in, high up against the sandstone cliffs, we pass a cave that served as a hideout for Osse¬wa¬brandwag (OB) saboteurs who fought against Jan Smuts’s support of the British during WW II. The OB emblem is still clearly visible on the rock walls.
It’s a respite before the barrage of challenges continues.
Obstacles with names such as Bang Jan Dooie Jan, Roer¬klip Moerklip, and Moerhoog take their toll physically and psychologically. You need to concentrate constantly while following Bruwer’s guidance.
Holkrans Hel, a climb over a huge boulder, marks the final challenge. Once down from the monster rock, the trail leads uneventfully back to Holkrans Cave and down the pass.
Korannaberg Adventures isn’t a location where you just pop by for the day. You could spend a day in the playpens alone.
Whether you’re a twitcher (they have over 270 bird species on their list) or into game viewing (black wildebeest, blesbok and springbok have been reintroduced), whether camping beneath giant sandstone cliffs is your thing, or you prefer the luxury of a hot bath followed by a gourmet meal, Korannaberg Adventures has you covered, chapel and wedding services and all.

The devil drives Prado: You'll need first gear, low-range to make it down Roerklip Moerklip, also on the Malutis Route.

Drive Out says:

The Malutis trail will test you. But no worries, Korannaberg is also a place where you can relax properly after the action, and where your kids will have lekker jol.

What you should know

WHY SHOULD I GO?

The trails offer stunning views and cater for drivers of all skill levels, challenging even the most experienced. The facilities are excellent.

EN ROUTE

How long are the trails? Matopos Trail: 38 km; Malutis Trail: 20 km
How long will I be driving? The Matopos Trail takes about 5 hours to drive, while the Malutis Trail should keep you busy for 6-7 hours
Maximum number of vehicles? 12-15
Do I get a map? No, it’s guided only.
Will my car get scratched? It’s unlikely.
Should I remove the running boards? Yes
Should I take a compressor? Yes, and you should deflate your tyres to about 1.2 bar.
Can I turn around halfway? Yes, there are shortcuts on both routes.
Can we have a braai en route? Yes, and the wood is free.

THE SURROUNDS

Best time to go? All year round
Can I take my family along? Yes
Just for the day or the weekend? Go for at least a weekend.
Are there ablution facilities for day visitors? Yes
Can I see game? Yes, there is game such as black wildebeest, blesbok and springbok.
The nearest town? Excelsior (30 km)
How do I get there? Take the R703 from Clocolan in the direction of Excelsior. Turn right onto the S356 after 5 km and follow the Korannaberg Adventures signs to the reception.
GPS: S28.85851 E27.28120
The nearest fuel? Excelsior 30 km

WHERE CAN I STAY?

Apart from camping, you can stay in a guesthouse (self-catering or catered), or in one of 3 converted silos or 3 converted stables.

WHAT ELSE?

Should I take anything special? Braai goodies for the lunch stop
What else can I do there? You can go horse riding, abseiling or rock climbing (all equipment supplied), hiking (1- or 2-day trails), play paintball or have fun on the foefie slide. There’s also mountain biking, fishing, quad-bike outrides and archery. Otherwise, simply braai at the lapa and relax at the swimming pool.

COSTS

Trail: R200 per vehicle per day (If you don’t have your own vehicle you can tag along with Bruwer.)
Accommodation: Camping R60 per person per night; Silos R900 per unit per night; Stables R90 pppn; Guesthouse R2 000 pn

CONTACT:

Heleen Conradie  082 706 0058;  korannaberg@vodamail.co.za, www.korannabergadventures.co.za

Doll’s houses. Disused grain silos have been converted into these triple-storied rondavels, complete with creaking floors and all.

101 Trail Guide | 2010

Korannaberg/Van Zoelenshoek

The Van Zoelenshoek farm and guesthouse, home to Korannaberg Adventures, is situated in the foothills that lead up to the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
There are two 4x4 trails, the scenic Matopos and the challenging Malutis, both of which are on the top of the mountain.
Before you set out, you can spend some time at the playpen along the way, honing your skills on the rollercoaster inclines, after which you will be nicely warmed up for the challenges to come.
The Matopos is a leisurely 38 km, and takes about five hours to complete, including regular stops. First up is a 2½ km steep ascent to the top of the Korannaberg plateau, after which you follow the trail in a north-easterly direction, hugging the edges of the cliffs. There are no less than seven waterfalls in the area.
When you circumnavigate the eastern edge of the plateau, you reach Jonas se Plek; be sure to ask about the story behind this place. Your lunchtime stop will probably be at Holkrans, a cave with an overrunning waterfall and 450-million-year-old fern.
At around 20 km, the Malutis Trail is shorter, but it takes 6-7 hours to complete due to its degree of difficulty. Many of the obstacles will test your willingness to drive your vehicle over steep drops at crazy side angles and up very high boulders.
Most are not really difficult from a driving point of view, but the real challenges lie in other factors such as fear of heights, fear of rolling over, fear of falling off a mountain, and fear that your carburetor engine will stall when you are halfway up a steep rock.
The trail requires constant concentration as it takes you onto a sandstone plate, over builders, down gravel slopes and back up grass tracks.
It goes past places like Ossewabrandwag and Roerklip Moerklip, where your nerve will really be tested, and just a little while further on, Bang Jan Dooie Jan.
For those who prefer a more relaxed drive, these obstacles are optional, and there are more leisurely detours available.

What you need to know

Accommodation:
There is a guesthouse that sleeps 4 and is entirely self-contained. Three silos on the farm have been converted into luxury self-catering units that sleep 7 people each. The Stables are suitable for backpackers and hikers, and can accommodate 8-12 people, with ablution facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, braai area and lapa. The bush camp also has full ablution facilities with warm water, electricity, braai and wood. And, finally, there is the Holkrans cave overnight option (yes, the same cave you stopped at for lunch on the Matopos Trail.) Rent a hammock and experience the real outdoors.

What else?
Horse riding, abseiling, rock climbing (all equipment supplied), hiking (1- or 2-day trails), paintball, foefie slide, quad bike outrides, and fishing

Contact:
Heleen Conradie
082 706 0058,
korannaberg@vodamail.co.za,
www.korannabergadventures.co.za

Nearest town: Excelsior (30 km)

Best time to go: All year round

Trail distances: Matopos 38 km, Malutis 20 km

How long will I be driving? 5-7 hours per trail

GPS: S28.85851 E27.28120

Full Review | TOP TEN 2006

Nearest town Excelsior (30 km)
Contact Gert Conradie, Connie Conradie, Francois Prinsloo
Tel 082 783 0092, 082 338 0776, 084 599 3703
Email koranna@telkomsa.net
Website www.korannabergadventures.co.za
Best time of year All year
Maximum vehicles 20
Route distance 3 options (half and full day)
GPS Points S28 51 17.4 E27 15 02.2

Ah, the magic of the Korannaberg! Forming part of the foothills that lead up to the legendary mountain kingdom of Lesotho, these magnificent sandstone ravines and rolling grasslands are truly one of the most beautiful places in South Africa.

Korannaberg is a nature lover’s playground with extensive grasslands, lush valley forests and rocky terrain. What Gert Conradie of Korannaberg Van Zoelenshoek has succeeded in doing is to create a 4x4 trail experience that manages to convey the history, magic and versatility of this region into
one well- rounded experience. For example, the lodge on the farm is a sandstone building predating the Boer War. It offers one of the best views in the whole of the Korannaberg. You must stay there!

There are three 4x4 routes at Korannaberg/Van Zoelenshoek, each offering spectacular scenery and challenges to the newcomer and more experienced driver alike.

Before you set out though, Drive Out suggests that you spend some time at the playpen along the way, honing your skills on the roller-coaster inclines. After this you’ll be warmed up for the challenges to come. Your first taste being 2,5km of steep ascent up to the top of the Korannaberg plateau.

After the adrenaline rush of the ascent you will follow the trail in a north-easterly direction, hugging the edges of the cliffs. Along the routes there are no less than seven picturesque waterfalls. When you circumnavigate the eastern edge of the plateau, you reach Jonas se plek. Make sure to ask Gert about the story behind this place.

Your lunchtime stopover should really be at Holkrans, a cave with an overrunning waterfall and 450-million-year-od fern. Here you’ll find some excellent examples
of ancient rock art. Interesting to note is that the depictions of horses indicate that these were not drawn by the Khoisan but by the Koranna people.

Jonas van Tonder, a Zulu who lived on this mountain for many years, planted pear and orange trees in the 1880s and a few can still be seen here. That’s if you can tear your eyes from the magnificent sculptured sandstone structures along the way. Having had your fill of lunch and culture, it’s time for a bit of fun. The track continues past places like Ossewabrandwag and Roerklip Moerklip, where you can test your nerves. And just a little while further on, Bang Jan Dooie Jan. However, these are optional.
From there it’s a fairly relaxing drive where you can enjoy breathtaking scenery towards the east of the valley.

If you still haven’t had enough adrenaline for one day, we suggest you prearrange with Gert to do the abseiling that you will find towards the end of the trail.

Korannaberg Van Zoelenshoek is the perfect ecotourism destination where exhilarating driving and adventure activities (like abseiling and a 210m long,
86m high foofie slide) combine to guarantee you an experience of a lifetime.

Accommmodation-wise, there are a variety of options on offer. You can choose between the main guest house, the silos and a great bush camp. It’s really up to you as to what type of experience you want and what you are willing to pay. Either way Korannaberg/Van Zoelenshoek is lekker! 

WHY GO THERE?

• Great family outing and value for money
• Excellent accommodation and warm Free State hospitality
• Spectacular scenery with beautiful views

WHERE TO STAY

• Guest house: two en suite rooms, sleep two or one en suite room, sleeps four.Fully functional kitchen, living and dining room, lapa.
• Three silos sleep seven each: kitchen, living room and bathroom.
• Bush camp: ablution facilities with warm water, electricity, braai facilities
  and wood.
• Stables each can accommodate 8 – 12 people.
  Separate ablution facilities for gents and ladies.
  Fully equipped kitchen and braai area and lapa.

WHAT ELSE?
Koranna Adventures also offers you the following activities:
horse riding, abseiling, rock-climbing and paintball.

 

FULL REVIEW | OCTOBER 2006 (DO16) | Jannie du Plessis

Nearest town Excelsior (30 km)
Contact Gert Conradie, Connie Conradie, Francois Prinsloo
Cell 082 783 0092, 082 338 0776, 084 599 3703
Email koranna@telkomsa.net
Website www.korannabergadventures.co.za
Best time of year All Year
Maximum vehicles 20
Route distance 3 options (half and full day)

Korannaberg/Van Zoelenshoek (aka. Korannaberg Adventures) is located at the Korannaberg in the Eastern Free State about 30 km east of Excelsior. Distances to a few of the bigger centres are: Bloemfontein, 135km, Welkom, 155km and Kroonstad, 162km.

The farm house, now the guest house, was built from sandstone  before the Boer War and is set among spectacular natural and historical wonders.

Korannaberg is a nature lover's playground with extensive grasslands on the mountain plateau, lush valley forests in several places and rocky terrain.
Along the routes there are no less than seven picturesque waterfalls. The cave with an overrunning waterfall and the 450 million-year-old fern are fascinating. There are as many as 277 bird species to be seen in the area, including the beautiful black and marshall eagles.

Korannaberg has a rich historical past. Rock paintings can be found in the caves on the mountain. Jonas van Tonder, a Zulu who lived on the Koranna mountain for years, planted pear and orange trees in the 1880s and a few can still be seen at the site.

There are three 4x4 routes at Korannaberg/van Zoelenshoek which offer challenges to the newcomer and the more experienced driver.

Accommodation available: guest house stables, silo’s, and a great bush camp.

The sincere hospitality of the owners, Gert and Connie Conradie, makes your stay complete.

WHY I LOVED IT
At Korannaberg you rediscover nature in its purest form. Your first visit will not be your last.

WHERE TO STAY

• Guest house:
  Two en suite rooms, sleep two; one en suite room, sleeps four.Fully functional kitchen, living and dining room, lapa.
• Silos:
  Three silo’s sleep seven each: kitchen, living room and bathroom.
• Bush camp:
  Ablution facilities with warm water, electricity, braai facilities and wood.
• Stables:
  Each stable can accommodate 8 – 12 people.
  Separate ablution facilities for gents and ladies.
  Fully equipped kitchen and braai area and lapa.

WHAT ELSE
Koranna Adventures also offers you the following activities:
horse riding, abseiling, rock-climbing and paintball.

SPECIALIST PACKING
Binoculars, camera and video camera are a must.
Warm clothing in winter months.
Rain jackets for the well-known thunderstorms.
Winch and recovery kit are recommended.

THE COST

• Guest house:
  Two en suite rooms, sleeps two; R300 pppn.
  One en suite room sleeps four; R450 pppn
• Silos: Three silos: two rooms per silo sleep seven; R600 per silo pn
• Bush camp: R50.00 pp pn
• Stables: R80.00 pp pn
• 4x4 Route (at least three vehicles); R200.00 pv pd.

Meals can be provided by the owners; cost of meals on request.
Kids under 12 years pay half price (accommodation only).

WHAT ELSE

• Great family outing and value for money.
• Excellent accommodation and warm Free State hospitality.
• Spectacular scenery with beautiful views.