101 Trail Guide | 2010

Slagboom 4x4

Slagboom has everything a good 4x4 destination should have: mountains, rivers and first-rate accommodation … not to mention the heart-stopping 35 km trail.
Set in the foothills of the Suurberge, near Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape, Slagboom’s guided trail is divided into five sections – two of which are graded 5 and guaranteed to test all your off-roading skills. The Dam Lookout section is about 8 km long and graded 3-4. It generally takes about an hour to complete in low-range.
The action starts at the head of the dam with an easy crossing over the White River, then up a 1 km stretch of cambered, cross-axle track to the top of a koppie. It’s recommended you remove the tow hitch for this one - you need to keep a sharp eye on your approach and departure angles, which tighten as the trail ascends.
Lovers’ Lane is a steep and rocky grade 5 track that runs down into a near-vertical gorge. Coming down the tight 400 m-long ravine is a slow, low-range, first gear creep; look out for rocky banks in the middle of the track that force the tyres off course.
The second half features similar rocky banks, and the last 2-3 km takes a minimum of one hour to complete as it is covered with loose rocks. Apart from steep ascents and sharp descents, nasty break-over angles require constant attention. A tyre pressure of 1.2-1.3 bar is recommended (even lower if your tyres can take it), and diff lock is essential.
The Voorsteberg section starts close to Doopgat and heads north for about 4 km to the top of the mountain. A grade 5 track, you’ll use low-range, first gear the entire way. The descent demands 100% concentration, leaving no time for weariness.
On reaching the lower section of Voorsteberg the path swings into Ysterkloof, a tree-encased tunnel that makes up the fourth section of the trail. If you have a rooftop tent or a high roof carrier fitted, be careful it doesn’t get caught in the branches.
Spioenkop, the final section accessed via a pole crossing, tiptoes across a dry rocky riverbed, before slowly ascending the 3 km to the top of Spioenkop. If you find a section too rough, escape routes are interspersed throughout.

What you need to know

Accommodation:
You can pitch your tent at Langman, located alongside sandstone cliffs on the banks of the Slagboom River, and Doopgat, a fully kitted private site on a pond, complete with a large wooden lookout deck. There is also a more rustic bush camp for those wanting to test all their overland gear. Self-catering accommodation is available at Land’s View, a large farmhouse that sleeps 14, Peppertree, a farmhouse that sleeps 6-8, and Nieshout, a cottage in a citrus orchard near the river campsite that sleeps 4.

What else?
Activities centre on anything that involves water and wildlife – such as fishing, swimming, canoeing and game viewing. Hunting can be organised.

Contact:
Boy & Boetie Whittle 
042 233 0578,
083 505 0600 
slagboom@mweb.co.za;
www.greateraddo.com.

Nearest town: Addo (29 km), Kirkwood (31 km)

Best time to go: All year, but spring and autumn are visually superb.

Trail distance: 35 km

How long will I be driving? 4 hours to 2 days

GPS: S33.36805 E25.65943

Full Review | Dec 2009 - Jan 2010

Trails, like most things in life, are a subjective experience. You can grade and compare statistics all you like, but in the end your favourite is simply your favourite. Richard van Ryneveld explains why Slagboom 4x4 is one of his.

Slagboom has everything a good 4x4 trail should have: mountains, rivers, first-rate accommodation (to suit every pocket) and the 100% pure country hospitality of the owners, Boy and Boetie Whittle.

Completing the package is the heart-stopping 35-km trail in the foothills of the Suurberge near the Addo Elephant National Park. With two grade-5 sections among its five sections, Slagboom’s trail is guaranteed to test all your off-roading skills.

The trail is guided and I was lucky enough to have Boetie, who created it, with me as a guide. His quiet, reassuring manner would prove the antidote for a jittery driver like me.

 My adventure began near the campsite at the top end of the Slagboom Dam, just east of the farmhouse. As we set off for the Dam Lookout section I fastened my seat belt and engaged low-range.
Graded 3-4 and some 8 km long, the section takes about an hour to complete.

The action starts at the head of the dam with an easy crossing over the White River through thickets of bush boer-bean (Schotia latifolia), sneezewoods (Ptaeroxylon obliquum), African olives and plenty of sweet thorn.

After the crossing you face the first serious challenge – a kilometre-long stretch of cambered, cross-axle track upa koppie.
It’s easy to see why Boetie recommends you remove your tow hitch for this one − you need to keep an extra sharp eye on your approach and departure angles, which tighten as the trail climbs to the top.

There are numerous good places on the way up to stop, get out and appreciate the views over the surrounding Suurberge.

Having spent most of the morning winding through characteristic subtropical thicket comprising mainly spekboom, I was amazed to discover these mountains also harbour deep, wooded kloofs and streams.

From our viewpoint overlooking Slagboom Dam Boetie pointed out the Voorsteberg section, which we were scheduled to drive the next morning.
“On the top of those ridges,” said Boetie, “you will find fynbos, protea and grasslands.”
The clever people will tell you that what makes Addo’s vegetation so remarkable, is that this relatively small area contains five of South Africa’s seven biomes.

All I know – to steal a line from Alan Paton – is this farm is more beautiful than the singing of it …

No pressure, mate

Next we tackled Lovers’ Lane. It’s easy to understand why this is a grade-5 section and diff lock is essential − the rocky and very steep track runs down into a near-vertical gorge. 
Coming down the tight 400-metre-long ravine is a slow, low-range, first-gear creep.

What’s worse, you have to look out for rocky banks in the middle of the track that force the tyres off course.

Boetie recommends a tyre pressure of 1.2-1.3 bar (and even lower if your tyres can take it). I kept mine at 1.2 and it seemed fine.
I did ding one of the running boards though, so be extra careful if you treasure yours.

Once at the bottom, you can either return to the starting point for the Dam Lookout section, or continue with the second part of Lovers’ Lane.
The latter’s 2-3 km can’t be done in a hurry and takes a minimum of one hour to complete. The track is covered with loose rocks and similar mid-track rocky banks encountered on the first half.

Apart from steep ascents and sharp descents, nasty break-over angles require constant attention. Diff lock is essential to ensure traction is constantly retained.

If you feel uncomfortable or find a section too rough, escape routes have been interspersed throughout.
“But then, of course, some people want to drive the entire trail back to front just because it’s harder that way,” Boetie said. “Ag man, if I think they are capable enough for the challenge, then we will do it.”

One way was certainly good enough for me, so we headed back to Nieshout cottage where I was overnighting.

Eyes wide shut

After a hard day’s off-roading you can pitch your tent at one of two well-kept campsites: Langman alongside sandstone cliffs on the banks of the Slagboom River where it narrows into the dam, or Doopgat, a fully kitted private site on a pond, complete with a large wooden lookout deck.

My choice of accommodation was sealed by my exhaustion as pitching a tent at this point was more than I could deal with.

As my choice lay between Land’s View, a large farmhouse that sleeps 14, Peppertree, a self-catering farmhouse that sleeps 6-8, and Nieshout, a self-catering cottage in a fragrant citrus orchard near the river campsite that sleeps four, I chose the latter.

The next morning, after surviving some serious Eastern Cape hospitality, I directed my reluctant and over-indulged anatomy back into the car to complete the final three trail sections.

Voorsteberg starts quite close to Doopgat and heads north for about 4 km, straight to the top of the mountain.
A grade-5 section, you’ll use low-range, first gear the entire way.

Travelling at a snail’s pace, you have the chance to see the clear change in vegetation – a slow metamorphosis from valley bushveld to grassland to sourveld, culminating in magnificent displays of cycads and fynbos on the highest peaks.

The descent demands 100% concentration, leaving no time for weariness. It was hard to believe that I was going down the same track I had come up earlier that morning.
I suppose you loose a lot of details with your eyes glued to the gravel.

On reaching the lower section of Voorsteberg we swung into Ysterkloof, a tree-encased tunnel that makes up the fourth section of the trail.

If you have a rooftop tent or a high roof carrier fitted, be careful that it doesn’t get caught in the branches. If you have none of these accessories, it is one less thing to worry about as you cross a small river en route to Spioenkop, the final section.

Two kilometres later all smugness dissipated.
I hit the brakes, staring down in horror at the pole bridge that lay between me and my well deserved cup of moerkoffie.

Never my favourite type of obstacle, it was only Boetie’s gently coaxing that got me across without too much drama.
Relieved to have that behind me, we tip-toed into a dry rocky riverbed beneath willows, before slowly ascending the 3 km to the top of Spioenkop.

I was a very sad camper descending Spioenkop, back past Doopgat towards the Slagboom farmhouse.
After all that adrenalin, fresh air, Boetie’s down-to-earth ways and Boy’s moerkoffie I really didn’t want to go home.

Drive Out says: If you are looking for a great place to take the whole family, look no further than this trail.

What you need to know

WHY SHOULD I GO
The location, facilities and first-class hospitality – an all-round good-for-the-soul experience

EN ROUTE
How long is the trail? 35 km
How long will I be driving?
4 hours to 2 days
Maximum number of vehicles: 10
Do I get a map?
No, the trail is guided.
Will my car get scratched?
Not if you drive carefully.
Should I remove the running boards? Yes
Should I take a compressor? Yes
Can I turn around halfway?
No, the trail is one-way but there are escape routes at every section.
Can we have a braai en route?
Yes, but at designated spots only.

THE SURROUNDS
Best time to go?
All year, but spring and autumn are visually superb.
Can I take my family along?
Yes, it’s a family destination.
Just for the day or the weekend?
A weekend at least
Are there ablution facilities for day visitors? Yes
Can I see game?
Yes – and if you are really lucky, you’ll see some Addo ellies too
The nearest town?
Addo (29 km), Kirkwood (31 km)
How do I get there?
From Addo, head towards the Addo Elephant National Park.
Before the park, turn off at the Zuurberg/Riverbend/Slagboom sign.
The road becomes a gravel road that you follow for 17 km to Slagboom Reception.
The nearest fuel?
Addo (29 km), Kirkwood (31 km)

WHERE CAN I STAY
There are three campsites with nine stands, two self-catering cottages and the old farmhouse.

WHAT ELSE
What else can I do there?
Apart from 4x4ing, activities centre on anything that involves water and wildlife, such as fishing, swimming, canoeing and game-viewing. Even hunting can be organised.
Should I take anything special?
Your family, a lilo, suntan lotion and a good book

COST
Trail: R200 per vehicle
Nieshout Cottage: R300 per night for the first two guests and R50 pppn for extra guests
Peppertree: R350 per night for the first two guests, and R70 pppn for extra guests
Land’s View: R500 per night for the first four guests; thereafter R150 pppn and R80 per child.
Langman Campsite: R40 pppn; R30 per child under 12; Children under 3 stay free.
Doopgat Campsite: R500 per day for the first four guests; thereafter R80 pppn, R40 per child.

CONTACT
Boy & Boetie Whittle  042 233 0578; 083 505 0600; slagboom@mweb.co.za; www.greateraddo.com.

Campsite Review | Richard van Ryneveld (June-July 2008)

In the foothills of the Suurberg in the Eastern Cape, Richard van Ryneveld discovered a campsite that may just keep him living in a tent forever.

I want to be a CIA spook. I’m serious – that way at least I would have a great excuse for being selfish and keeping every well-earned “secret” to myself.

I wouldn’t have to share and everyone would still like me, regardless.

But no, instead I’m a babbling journalist feeling compelled to tell the whole of South Africa everything.

So, here it is, a rather reluctant sharing session about my latest discovery − a farm named Slagboom, with some of the best campsites in the Eastern Cape.

In tusker heaven

Bordering on the Addo Elephant National Park, Slagboom is in a small valley some 17 km from the entrance to the park and 32 km from the small town of Kirkwood. The fact that it borders on the park, means you have a chance of seeing the elephants.

The farm’s name apparently refers back to a skirmish there between the settlers and the Xhosa in the old frontier days.

At the foot of the Suurberg, Slagboom farm enjoys a truly magnificent location.

(A section of the park, I should add, that is closed to elephants, so no need to worry about suddenly stumbling on an angry old tusker.)

What strikes you first upon arrival is the richness of the surrounding bush – it is unlike anything else you will encounter anywhere else.

It is so thick and impenetrable in places, it helped protect the last remaining elephant and buffalo in these parts from being wiped out altogether by hunters.

The farm is owned by Boy and Boetie Whittle, and I arrived as Boy and her two aunts were making a klein bietjie wors (a little bit of sausage).

Man, I have never seen so much meat in all my life.

Their son, a professional hunter, had just shot a huge kudu bull and the result was more meat than I had ever seen on one braai grid in my entire life.

After a cup of moerkoffie (home-brewed coffee) to kick-start affairs, I followed Boetie down to the Langman campsite where I would be staying.

Take your pick

There are three campsites on the farm: one just before you enter Slagboom itself and two more on the upper reaches of the White River.

Langman is set alongside some steep sandstone cliffs, right on the banks of the river, just where it narrows into the Slagboom dam.

What I liked immediately was the impeccable attention to detail: great location, well-grassed (neatly cut) sites, with good shade.

Secondly, I loved the sense of being completely alone and one with nature − just me, the mountains and thousands of uninhabited hectares of mountainous forest and tree-studded kloofs to explore, either by foot or 4x4.

Even the ablution facilities were impressive – located, with keen foresight, within a well-forested area, on the slopes leading out of the camp.

It’s placed in such a way so as not to be seen from the camping area at all. I liked that. It was just me, the flush machine and the thickly-lined tree curtain overlooking the dam. A throne with a view, what more could a guy want?

There are two showers and two toilets with washbasins for both men and women. Totally separate from one another, privacy is assured.

The campsite on the other side of the dam is a bit different – the only “facilities” there being a long drop.

The thinking is that this campsite is intended for people who want to test out their overland equipment before a trip.

It’s a good idea and there is a need for such spots, but it means you need to be pretty specific about which site you are after when you book.

At both the main Langman campsite and the bush camp you have access to the river with its good bass and carp fishing. (Apparently there’s also good night eel fishing, for those who know how.)

The name of the third campsite, Doopgat, comes from the old days when this valley was as isolated as Die Hel (the one also known as Gamkaskloof).

“Farmers from the area almost never went into town, so the predikant had to come out to them,” Boetie explained.

“Doopgat was where he used to come and baptise the babies,” said Boetie.
To get there today, one still needs a vehicle with a reasonably high ground clearance. (I would risk driving my City Golf there, but that’s just me).

Doopgat is a top-class campsite, characterised by Slagboom’s now trademark well-tended grass stands.

This spot even has specially cordoned off braai areas with kitchen facilities, a gas stove and wash-up area.

The ablutions are pristine, offering two hot water showers and two toilets.

However, what really makes this camping spot, is its location on your own private little pond, complete with a large wooden deck to look out over the water.

Remains of the day

As I stood there after dinner one evening, looking up at the stars, I promised myself: “I would come back here again … soon.”

Next time though, I’ve got a whole itinerary planned. I’ll make sure to call at the farmhouse first, drink some more moerkoffie and beg Boy for some more home-made bread with prickly pear syrup.

Then, I’ll take a walk with Boetie and watch him lovingly inspect his herd of prizewinning Nguni cattle.

Now that’s how I want to spend my days.

What you need to know

What else can I do?
Besides 4x4ing, anything that involves water and wildlife: fishing, swimming, canoeing, game viewing (even hunting can be organised, if that’s your thing).
Best time to go?
All year around
How do I get there?
From Kirkwood, head out on the R336 to Addo. Once in Addo, head towards the elephant park. Before the park, turn off at the sign “Zuurberg/Riverbend/Slagboom”. It becomes a gravel road that you follow for 17 km till you see a sign that says “Slagboom Reception”.
Accommodation?
Three campsites, with nine stands and two self catering cottages.
Ablutions?
As good as any hotel
Contact?
Boy and Boetie Whittle *042 233 0578; 083 505 0600; slagboom@mweb.co.za; www.greateraddo.com
Rate?
Camping: R40 pppn; R30/child under 12 (children under three stay free).
Cottages: R300 pppn for the first two people, therafter R50 pppn (to a maximum of six people)