Little Karoo flower power

On a private nature reserve in the Little Karoo you could learn a lot about plants, and about your own driving skills... Johann Grobler tackled some rough, mountainous terrain.

Minwater Eco Adventures near Oudtshoorn, in the foothills of the Gamkaberg, offers two things: 4x4 trails for any skills level and one of the best plant interpretation walks south of the equator.
This private reserve has trails that range from grade 2 to grade 5, and its owner, Louis Jordaan, is keen to share his vast knowledge about the wide range of fascinating plants in his reserve.

A staggering 6 000 plant species are found in this region, the so-called Succulent Karoo Biome. It is such a great diversity that the biome has been included in a list of 34 internationally recognised biodiversity hotspots, in other words, places that need protection.

Even more staggering is that of the 6 000 species, 40% only occur in this region. At Minwater you’ll find about 550 of these endemic plant species.
When it comes to plants and birds, Louis knows what he is talking about. And he likes to share it. He’ll gladly take you on a walk among the 550 species. Minwater is rich in birdlife too, with 140 species identified.
Louis has also developed a number of hiking trails, ranging from 1 to 20 km, so you can learn more about the reserve’s plants and animals.

Located some 24 km southwest of Oudtshoorn in the foothills of the Gamkaberg, between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains, the terrain at Minwater is rough and mountainous, which makes for challenging driving.
But before you start driving, upon arrival at the reserve you’ll receive a comprehensive booklet with maps of the trails in the reserve, as well a vast amount of additional information on the plants and animals.
Those planning on tackling the trails have to complete an indemnity document, while Louis also establishes driver’s skills levels and their vehicle capabilities.

Trails and challenges

Minwater offers three primary trails and two short challenging tracks. My favourite is the grade-2 Rooiberg Trail, a 7-km out-and-back trail to the top of the Rooiberg. From here, you can see clear across the Swartberg on a cloudless day − from Toorwaterpoort, a ravine 48 km southwest of Willowmore in the east, to Towerkop, 100 km to the west at Ladismith.
Heading straight up the side of the mountain, it takes less than 3 hours to complete. About 20 plant species have been numbered along the way and the brochure contains information on each one.

The grade 3-4 Steenbok Trail is a one-hour, 4.5-km circular route.
Crisscrossing several dry riverbeds, this trail has very steep ascents and rocky ridges where you will have to stick to the textbook’s “as slow as possible; as fast as necessary”. Its well-maintained surface offers enough traction when it’s dry.
You need a vehicle with ample ground clearance, generous approach and departure angles, low-range, and even diff locks.
To prevent damaging your tyres or your vehicle, you should get out of your vehicle at several spots to choose your line of descent.

The Sandberg Trail is a 4-hour, 17-km track up the Sandberg. Although it’s steep and rough in places, if driven clockwise it is a grade-2 trail that is suitable for softroaders. Driven anticlockwise, steep sections challenge even experienced drivers.

Pushing the envelope

At the westernmost point of the Sandberg Trail is the steep grade-4 Die Gat. It takes about an hour to complete.
This 500-m-long there-and-back track descends into the Appelfonteinkloof, which separates Minwater from the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve. Hugging the precipitous mountainside, it drops 100 m over the 500 m.
The ravine is not for the faint-hearted, the ill-equipped or the inexperienced. It should only be attempted by seasoned drivers in groups of at least two vehicles. The vehicles should have low-range, good ground clearance and diff lock. You’ll have to walk it before tackling it with your vehicle, and avoid it when it’s wet.
The same goes for the final challenge, the grade-5, 1-km Kloof Trail. It’s located in a dry, rocky riverbed, and it takes about one hour to complete and can’t be attempted alone.
You need to walk the trail first with an experienced spotter, carefully choosing your
line before scaling rock after rock for the whole length of the course.
You need a vehicle with low-range, very good ground clearance and diff lock.
The numerous trail options make Minwater a long-weekend destination rather than a place where you just pop in. The reserve offers three well-shaded bush camps − all with running water, hot showers and pit latrines − and a campsite on lush lawn next to the Moeras River, accessible to caravans.
Apart from providing accommodation when it rains, a recently restored old barn doubles as an indoor classroom and theatre, with the actor and radio/TV personality Paul Eilers regularly entertaining guests with a puppet theatre and one-man shows.

Drive Out says: For those who prefer greater luxury, there are a number of guesthouses within a 15 km radius. Try La Plume, Thylitshia Villa, De Denne Country Guesthouse and Mooiplaas Guesthouse.

What you should know

WHY SHOULD I GO?
If you are even vaguely interested in plants, Minwater is a must-do outdoor experience. It also offers great views, excellent 4x4-ing and a campsite that makes it a good family destination.

EN ROUTE
How long are the trails? 30 km in total
How long will I be driving?
Doing the 3 primary trails takes 4-6 hours, while it takes an hour each to complete the two short, challenging tracks.
Maximum number of vehicles? 20
Do I get a map?
Yes, and a comprehensive briefing. The trails are also logged on Tracks4Africa and Google Earth maps.
Will my car get scratched?
Not unless you stray off the trails or are careless
Should I remove my running boards? Not for the 3 main trails
Should I take a compressor? Yes
Can I turn around halfway? Only on Die Gat
Can we have a braai en route? No, at the campsite only

THE SURROUNDS
Best time to go? All year round
Can I take my family along? Yes
Just for the day or the weekend? Day visitors are welcome, but it’s best to spend a minimum of one night.
Are there ablution facilities for day visitors? Yes
Can I see game? Yes, but they are hard to spot. Animals that have been sighted include klipspringer, duiker, grysbok, steenbok, grey rhebuck, eland, kudu, brown hyena and leopard. Bird sightings include Verreaux’s eagle and black harrier.
The nearest town? Oudtshoorn (24 km)
How do I get there? From the centre of Oudtshoorn, follow the road to Calitzdorp for 9 km and turn left on the Volmoed road. Turn right onto the Paardebont road after 11 km and right into Minwater after 4 km.
The nearest fuel? Oudtshoorn (24 km)
GPS: S33.71219 E22.03943

WHERE CAN I STAY?
Accommodation facilities include three easily accessible bush camps and another campsite that is accessible to caravans.

WHAT ELSE?
Must I take anything special? No
What else can I do there? Escape the city, complete some excellent hiking trails and learn about the plants of the Succulent Karoo.

COSTS
Trail: R200 per vehicle for all trails
Camping: R50 per person per day

CONTACT:
Louis & Thea Jordaan 
044 279 1285,
082 481 3625;
Louis@minwater.co.za;
www.minwater.co.za,
www.4x4ineden.co.za

101 Trail Guide | 2010

Minwater Eco Adventures

The Minwater Eco 4x4 trails are located 24 km southwest of Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo.
Minwater lies in the foothills of the Gamkaberg and is separated from CapeNature’s Gamkaberg Nature Reserve by a deep ravine – Appelfontein Kloof.

The succulent Karoo biome in which Minwater is positioned, is home to about 6 000 plant species, 40% of which are endemic. Within that sphere, Minwater is considered an international hotspot, boasting some 550 plant species of its own, not to mention the 140 bird species that have been ticked on the list here.
Owner Louis Jordaan is an expert on both birding and fauna, and writes regular columns for regional publications on these subjects.

Upon arrival, drivers complete an indemnity form and receive a booklet containing maps and information on the fauna and flora in this reserve. Minwater offers three main trails – Steenbokrant, Sandberg and Rooiberg, which can be tackled separately or as part of a linked drive. Novices or those with less serious 4x4 vehicles can avoid the trickier sections. The terrain is rocky and requires the utmost concentration; one slip could lead to vehicle damage.

Steenbokrant is a short, 4.5 km trail with superb views and one very steep climb. It is graded 3-4 and requires good ground clearance and some experience.
If traversed in a clockwise direction, the 17 km Sandberg Trail is predominantly a 2-grader, which makes it suitable for softroaders.
The trail ascends the Sandberg mountains, using two different routes for the ascent and descent. Both trails are rather steep and rough in places but not overly difficult. Low-range is not essential.
At the westernmost end of the Sandberg Trail however, is an optional add-on called Die Gat. For 500 m the trail hugs the mountainside as it descends into a deep ravine, the Appelfontein Kloof, dropping 100 m in its 500 m descent. A 4-grader, it should only be attempted by more experienced drivers in 4x4s with low-range and good ground clearance. Diff locks are strongly recommended. It is also strongly recommended that this section be walked before driving it. In wet conditions this section must be avoided.

The third trail, the 7 km Rooiberg Trail, is graded 3 and should take 3 hours. It leads up the side of a mountain and back down again on the same tracks, offering two entirely different experiences.
There is an optional extra called the Kloof Trail. This is a 1 km grade 5 detour that follows a dry, very rocky riverbed.

Accommodation:
Minwater has 5 camping stands, with running hot and cold water, near the river. The campsites offer very neat, organised camping and braai areas.

What else?
Ostrich farms, Cango Caves, visit the neighbouring CapeNature Gamkaberg Nature Reserve and try the numerous other 4x4 trails in the Little Karoo.

What you need to know

Contact:
Louis and Thea Jordaan 
044 279 1285,
082 481 3625;
minwater@absamail.co.za,

www.minwater.co.za,
www.4x4ineden.co.za.

Nearest town: Oudtshoorn (24 km)

Best time to go: All year round

Trail distances: 3 trails, totalling 28.5 km

How long will I be driving? 2-4 hours, plus 1 hour in the Kloof for adrenalin junkies.

GPS: S33.71219 E22.03943