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NOTE: The balloons are on the exact location of the trail, or the nearest town (if we don’t have its coordinates).
Timbila Game Reserve
Reviewed: DO #7; DO #12, 2005
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Contact:
Mel Johnson
Cell phone:
082 822 4914
Telephone:
044 923 1188
E-mail address:
info@timbila.co.za
Web page:
http://www.timbila.co.za
Nearest town:
Willowmore (50km) |
-33.177220, 23.900230
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Route distance:
40km | 2-6 hours
Surrounds:
Timbila means rhythm of the earth, and this is what you will experience in the Groot River valley between Willowmore and Steytlerville in the Eastern Cape. A secret valley off the beaten track, which runs parallel to the Langkloof and Baviaanskloof valleys.
Timbila is a private game reserve hosting a great variety of antelope including the Red-Lechwe. Many roads criss-cross the reserve, which enables you to explore almost every corner.
The trail:
Timbila is not an official 4x4 trail, but it's an off-road destination with excellent accommodation, nice veld roads and game in abundance.
Here it feels as if you are one of the first discoverers of this "desolate" kloof. The drives on the reserve are 1) a game-viewing experience and 2) an off-road or 4x4 experience.
90% of the roads are accessible by 4x2 vehicles with good ground clearance and don't pose a great challenge.
A few places are more suitable for 4x4 vehicles or two-wheel-drives with diff-lock.
Once you've reached the viewpoint, you will forget about off-roading and just enjoy the unspoiled views along this beautiful valley.
In one of the kloofs a road was built by filling up deeper sections with stones. Here low range and good ground clearance come in handy to enable you to crawl slowly over the rocks. Maximum vehicles 10.
Accommodation:
Three luxury tents with en suite bathrooms, kitchens and fireplaces. Each main tent has two small dome tents sleeping two each. Two luxury chalets with fantastic views. And an old farmhouse.
Camping:
The campsite lies beneath huge soetdoring trees.
Full amenities available: ablution facilities with hot-water showers and flush toilets. The central kitchen area is complete with fridge and freezer facilities.
Electricity points at every stand.
There are huge river pools within walking distance.
What else:
Timbila is near the extremely picturesque area of the Baviaanskloof, so try to spend some time in the area exploring some of the tracks in the Baviaanskloof while you are there. 
101 Trail Guide | 2010
Timbila Game Reserve
Timbila Game Reserve lies between two mountain ranges in the Groot River Valley, halfway between Willowmore and Steytlerville. It borders the Baviaanskloof in the southeast and the Karoo in the north.
Timbila, roughly translated as “rhythm of the earth”, covers more than 3 700 hectares of dense riverine bush, koppies and kloofs.
The perennial Groot River that runs through the property, creates a stark contrast with the harsh Karoo, and provides an oasis for birds and animals – which explains the wide variety of these found on the reserve. For a game reserve, Timbila offers a high standard of 4x4 trail experience, excellent accommodation and abundant game.
Although there are three 4x4 trails, most of the drives on the reserve, in fact about 90%, are accessible to 4x2 vehicles with good ground clearance, and don’t pose too much of a challenge. However, you’ll come across tracks that are more suited to 4x4s or two-wheel-drives with diff lock when you turn off the main access roads, venture into the koppies and go higher up the mountain.
Well laid-out tracks, natural obstacles and steep slopes that require careful navigation will put your vehicle to the test. High ground clearance is required and diff lock recommended for all three of the 4x4 trails – especially the last one, where one is required to navigate over boulders down one of the many dry riverbeds.
It takes more than an hour to navigate 800 m. Once you’ve reached the viewpoint, you will forget about all the hard work and simply enjoy the views across the valley.
In one of the kloofs, a road was built by filling up deeper sections with stones. Here, low-range and good ground clearance will come in handy as you crawl slowly over the rocks. One of the features of the reserve is that your campsite is just a few kilometres away, so you can always return to base for a swim in one of the river pools when it gets too hot, or relax in the shade before exploring further.
What you need to know
Accommodation:
There are a number of choices, from bush camping to luxurious en-suite tented camps – all with well-equipped facilities. A farmhouse and campsites are also available. If you are camping, there are 4 scattered sites under a canopy of acacia trees, each with electricity, braai and wood. Each site can accommodate a few families, and hot-water ablutions and washing up facilities are also provided.
What else?
Game viewing, birding, fishing, hunting and hiking
Contact:
Mel Johnson
082 822 4914,
044 923 1188;
info@timbila.co.za;
www.timbila.co.za
Nearest town: Willowmore (50 km)
Best time to go: Winter and spring
Trail distance: Various trails; 40 km
How long will I be driving? 2-6 hours
GPS: S33.19000 E23.90782
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