101 Trail Guide | 2010

Ostrich Eco 4x4

With its winding trails through fynbos and kloofs along the Slang River, Ostrich Eco 4x4 is about more than just ostriches. It’s a beautiful part of the world to just get lost in.
The trails, ranging from 12 km to 22 km, wind their way through wheat fields and ostrich camps, and up to riverside cliffs. Intermittent crossings of the Slang River make for interesting driving, as do some steep ascents and descents. One minute you are enjoying a gentle slope to one side, and around the next corner you are leaning to the other side, so keep an eye out for the red and green arrows that indicate the level of difficulty. The trail is no axle-twister, but if you lose concentration or head off the beaten track, your vehicle could end up with some cosmetic damage.
It’s easy to get lost on one of the many side roads, so ask owner Piet Uys to accompany you on your first visit. He will introduce you to the wonders of Ostrich Eco 4x4, pointing out the different plant species, or the fish eagle’s nest on one of the cliffs. He will also tell you about game like bushbuck, steenbok, rhebuck and the shy bontebok, as well as the conservation of milkwood trees on the farm.
You’ll need low-range to negotiate the trail safely, and some of the obstacles are tricky, requiring a passenger to hop out and direct you.

What you need to know

Accommodation:
Camp at the bush camp, which has hot showers and flushing toilets, or stay at a fully-kitted thatched chalet in Witsand.

What else?
Hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. The farm is a hop, skip and jump from Cape Infanta and the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Watch the whales in Witsand’s St Sebastian Bay between May and November, and take the Malgas ferry across the Breede River.

Contact:
Piet Uys 
028 537 1942; 
ostrichtrails@telkomsa.net,
www.ostrichtrails.co.za,
www.4x4ineden.co.za

Nearest town: Witsand (12 km)

Trail distances: 12-22 km

How long will I be driving? 3½-5 hours

GPS: S34.34206 E20.79866

Full Review | Johann Grobler (July 2007)

A weekend is almost too short to fully explore Ostrich Eco 4x4. With its trails winding through fynbos and kloofs all along the Slang River, there’s something here for drivers, hikers and cyclists alike, says Johann Grobler.

There is so much to do and see at Ostrich Eco 4x4 that no visitor should ever be bored: Should you tire of 4x4ing you could go hiking, mountain biking, bird viewing and even spot animals such as the blue crane, duiker and the rare bontebok. Or just enjoy life on a working farm for a day or two.

The serious obstacles and challenges on the 4x4 trail will keep most adrenaline junkies happy. But don’t fear: if that’s not your style, there are plenty of easy detours. The route is well marked – red or green arrows will keep you posted at all times on the level of difficulty.

The trail winds its way through kloofs, across the river, along fields and through beautiful vegetation and succulent fynbos, but don’t become complacent. Your driving will really be put to the test on sand, stone and in water.

Remember, you’ll need low range to negotiate the route safely. And tread carefully wherever you are; some of the obstacles are tricky, requiring your passenger to hop out and direct you.

One moment you might be enjoying a gentle slope to one side, and around the next corner you’ll need to lean to the other side. Steep ascents and descents test you and your vehicle thoroughly.

If the thought of your vehicle getting scratched makes your heart skip a beat, you’ll have to be vigilant the whole way. Admittedly, the trail is no axle-twister, but if you loose concentration, head off the beaten track and into the bushes, your vehicle could well end up with cosmetic damage.

The winding Slang River makes for some spectacular river crossings. We went in winter, and had to avoid some sections as the water level was too high.

The only minor annoyance is the fact that there’s too much emphasis on creating new and evermore difficult obstacles. Inexperienced drivers in vehicles with limited capabilities end up damaging the environment, and it’s unnecessary.

On your first visit, it’s easy to get lost on one of the many side roads. So ask owner Piet Uys to accompany you. He’ll also provide the perfect introduction to the Ostrich Eco 4x4, regaling you with facts about the different plant species or the fish eagle’s nest on one of the cliffs.

He will tell you about game like bushbuck, steenbok, ribbok and the shy bontebok, as well as the conservation of milkwood trees on the farm.

If you have any energy left after all the driving, there are four hiking and/or mountain bike trails for you to choose between. The trails, ranging from 12 km to 22 km, wind their way through wheat fields, ostrich camps and riverside cliffs, from where you can enjoy superb views.

But there’s more to life than driving – outspanning is important too, and that’s why you’ll find a tree-lined bush camp at the end of the trail.

There’s a plain old farm road that runs from the farmhouse to the camp, so if you don’t have a 4x4 you could just go camping. The camp has an ablution block with gas-heated water.

If farm life is not for you, ask owners Piet and Janet if you can rent one of their thatched chalets at Witsand (about 12 km from the farm). They have everything you need, even DStv dish.

The farm is a hop, skip and jump from St Sebastian Bay, where the Breede River runs into the sea, with Cape Infanta and the De Hoop Nature Reserve to the west of the river mouth.

There are various attractions in the area. One of the most well-known is the Malgas pont, the only remaining hand-operated river ferry in the country.

Drive Out says: Ostrich Eco 4x4 offers a unique breakaway with loads of activities for the whole family. Even Gran and Gramps can come along. The list of things to do is so long, you’ll want to return again and again.

Download: 

DO_Ostrich Eco.xmp