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South Africa weekender trips - Three Days.
You Will Need:
4x4 Vehicle, Camping equipment and your own beverages. If it is a cross border 4x4 tour then you will also need: passports for all in your party, ID documents, drivers license, insurance consent letter, bank consent letter, third party insurance (for most countries), and if needed - malaria tablets. Please also consult with your General Practitioner and advise them of the country you will be visiting, and follow the necessary malaria precautions and take all necessary medications. Please note that each country has different malaria precautions, some require you have the injections and others that you take the tablets etc.
Moolmanshoek
This “Weekender Tour” is open for group bookings (for any given date).
Moolmanshoek is situated close to Ficksburg in the Free State..... and the most beautiful sandstone formations can be seen as part of the “Visiersker Berg” which is the highest mountain in the Free State. On the farm where we stay, which is actually five farms that have been combined to create a stunning paradise with game, hiking trails and 4x4 routes..... they have a luxurious sandstone lodge with thirteen exquisite rooms. There are also hiking huts for comfortable sleeping, small kitchen and ablutions and a small Lapa for gatherings.
For Itinerary, cost and booking details, please [ Read More ]
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Wakkerstroom
3 Provinces 4x4 Weekender Tour (long weekend)
3 Provinsie/Slagveld 4x4 Toer (lang naweek)
Adventurers and nature lovers.... be enthralled by the Majestic Mountain Peaks as the Black Eagles soar high above... and late at night you will hear the Jackals call on this 'Three Provinces 4x4 Weekender.
Just a short two and a half hours drive from Johannesburg, we reach our stop over venue... a local farm called 'Waterval' which is situated in the "Versamelberge" mountains a short distance from Volksrust. Our campsite is located at the foot of a soaring cliff and surrounded by gorgeous fauna and flora... A variety of indigenous plants, shrubs and trees to explore and admire, and an abundance of birds for the avid bird watcher to see. There is even a whole eco-system of small animals that young and mature alike will enjoy. There are beautiful guest flats available for self-catering or alternatively we can cater for you and your party.
Situated where the 'Three Provinces' meet - Kwa Zulu Natal, Mpumlanga and the Free State, is a sheer cliff at the top of "Langkrans" 2253 meters above sea level and is the place where the Black Eagles nest.... adventurous 4x4 routes, hiking trails, horse riding and bird watching.... are all available for you to choose and enjoy.
The 4x4 route includes stream crossings, mountainous and rocky terrain to traverse and even muddy holes to navigate around or go through.... as we accommodate the novice driver or more experienced adventurer on this tour. For those less enthusiastic members of your party, who would rather avoid a 4x4 drive, staying at the campsite allows for rest and relaxation in gorgeous scenic surroundings. The 4x4 route covers a 32 km drive and another 9 km "Wildkamp" route... maps and all GPS co-ordinates are supplied to you by your tour operator before leaving on the drive. As an alternative, there are two Battlefield routes between 70 and 100 km, which include visits to historical places of interest like the site of the battle of "Allemansnek", old graves, a tunnel, a museum with a zoo.... and freshly baked farm bread!
For Itinerary, cost and booking details, please [ Read More ]
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Naboomspruit 4x4
Serendipity Tour
Just two hours drive North of Johannesburg, will bring you to the country town of Naboomspruit. Bush walks with rich and varied bird life and hot springs draw visitors to the area. Scenic 4x4 drives across rugged terrain invites the avid 4x4 Adventurer to explore this natural environment. The climate is moderate during the evenings allowing for social fun and gatherings around a camp fire, and even in winter the days can be warm.
For Itinerary, cost and booking details, please [ Read More ]
For more information please contact
Johan Cell: 082-901-2651 Email [ Johan@hiadventure.co.za ]
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Thabazimbi Family Breakaway
Thabazimbi means ‘mountain of iron’, and the region’s soils and rocks are indeed rich in iron ore, which has been mined here for some centuries, first by Sotho people, and now by the Iron and Steel Corporation (Iscor). Iscor laid out the town of Thabazimbi in 1953, and later established the Ben Alberts Nature Reserve as a recreational facility for its employees. The reserve covers 2 000 ha, and is watered by the Crocodile River, which is flanked by steep hillsides. In the background, the Kransberg (highest peak of the Waterberg range) is a magnificent and brooding presence.
A network of good gravel roads criss-crosses the reserve and some routes take you to lookout points with panoramic views of the reserve. Here you can expect to see an abundance of game, including white rhino’s, kudu, blue wildebeest, giraffes, eland, zebras and warthogs.
On our trips to the Waterberg (escaping the cold winter week-ends of Gauteng), we enjoyed the warm respite and subtle colours of the bushveld vegetation of silver grey, dusty fawn, grey-greens and golds, that throw a sharp contrasts against the rusty-red soil of the terrain in this remote region of South Africa..... Tall ant hills made from this rusty-red soil, some even more than 6 or 7 feet high are common when taking walks along bird watchers trails. Bird life is abundant and varied for the avid bird enthusiast. The stillness of the Waterberg region is absolute and profound for those seeking a well-deserved rest from the hustle and bustle of large city life. In the early morning coolness you can catch an abundance of small wild life, interesting reptiles - chameleons in amazing colours that fascinate young and old alike and are completely harmless. This is a fun and enjoyable week-end trip for families with even very young children.
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Moordenaars Karoo - info to be updated
Loskop Dam
Despite the fact that any angler will tell you that there are only three reasons to visit Loskop Dam, and those are fishing, fishing and fishing - since it is one of the Highveld’s best stocked dams with kurper, yellowfish, barbel and carp almost waiting in anticipation to be hooked - if like me, you would rather stay home than ‘fish’ ...don’t be misguided by that information alone... This vast stretch of water pools like simmering sky surrounded by rolling bush-covered hills and has many other attractions... a mild climate, peaceful scenery, varied fauna and flora, and a well-stocked game reserve all in ambient tranquil surroundings. The dam is also frequented by boating enthusiasts even while other holiday makers just relax in the sunshine on shore. The Loskop dam is conveniently located two hours drive northeast of Gauteng - just about 50 km north of Middelburg. The vegetation in this part of South Africa is remarkably varied because the Loskop dam, lies at the meeting of two very distinct ecological zones: the Highveld with its rolling grasslands and the Lowveld with its healthy abundance of thorny trees and shrubs which allows for an interesting 4x4 weekend getaway.
Most of the area surrounding the dam, including the 14 000-ha game reserve on the northern shores, comprises combretum-dominated woodland, which provides an ideal habitat for a variety of game, including white rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes and sable antelope. The bush gently beats with the song of many bushveld species of birds, such as kingfisher, bee-eaters, wood hoopoes, hornbills, barbers and fly-catchers (all of which I had the pleasure of seeing on my last trip ;o). Where bush meets water and sky ....listen carefully and you will almost assuredly hear the cry of an African fish eagle, as well as many other water fowl.... watching quietly from the shore of the Loskop dam you may even catch a glimpse of these wondrous birds in flight or diving to fish.
The emphasis on this weekender trip is family fun, relaxation and the enjoyment of all the Loskop dam and surrounding areas have to offer.
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Outeniqua Pass (Mossel Bay)
We recently drove through the Outeniqua Pass in January 2007 and the only way to describe it is ‘breathlessly spellbinding’....
This is just one of a number of scenic routes traversing the jagged mountains that separate the Karoo from the lower-lying coastal terrace and the Indian Ocean. The Robinson Pass, built in 1886 by famous road engineer Sir Thomas Bain, climbs beyond Ruiterbos to 860-m summit of the Outeniqua Mountains (leaving you breathless in absolute wonder) before meandering its way down to the coastal town of Mossel Bay.
The Outeniqua Pass (799 m), linking Oudtshoorn to George, descends sharply on the southern side of the Outeniquas, along which there are many spectacular viewing points. Although the railway line follows the same route as the road we never saw a single train.
The Swartberg Pass was used by the early Voortrekkers as a way across the steep Swartberg range into the interior of the Karoo.... the present pass, opened in 1886 offers splendid views (especially at sunset) and many tempting picnic spots. Several kilometres from the summit, a road branches off to Gamkaskloof (Die Hel), a deep valley once inhabited by early pioneers.
About 35 km east of Oudtshoorn is the picturesque village of DeRust... and this little town lies at the entrance to Meiringspoort, which is distinguished by rugged precipices and soaring rock faces and serves as the link between the Klein and Great Karoo. Just about 3 km up the road there is a beautiful 60 m high waterfall.
Mossel Bay is a thriving town rich in heritage and history and home to the Bartolomeu Dias Museum. Five centuries of European exploration and colonial settlement are reflected in the scatter of buildings and relics that comprise Mossel Bay’s museum complex. The museum, which was developed over a number of years, opened in 1989 with a flourish, one year after the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Bartolomeu Dias, first European in modern history to touch South Africa’s shores.
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Venda Limpopo - read more
Dassiefontein - info to be updated
Parys Barakah 4x4 - Weekend Getaway
Approximately 120 km from Johannesburg (an hour or so drive), this family friendly getaway is located at the Vredeford Dome near Parys, which is currently being registered as a World Heritage Site. This 13 km long 4x4 route, is one of the most enjoyable and scenic one-day trails in South Africa.... Highly recommended by those who have already enjoyed the tour, and will take you the better part of four to six hours to complete.
For Itinerary, cost and booking details, please [ Read More ]
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Baviaanskloof
If you want a really adventurous trip, with a tough drive and gorgeous scenery in wild untamed beautiful surroundings, try our Baviaanskloof weekender trip. This tour is best undertaken with our experienced tour operator who is also a qualified mechanic, and trained in first aid, with much experience navigating through challenging terrain. The route to follow is complex at best and one can easily get lost just trying to get there. From Heroncliff where the tar road ends the road is 168 km with only two petrol points.... then the gravel road turns north into the mountains, following the course of the Groot River sandwiched against cliffs. Passing the Goede Hoop Church settlement, the road crosses and recrosses the Wit River, passes the Cockscomb Forest Station and ascends a steep mountain pass, arriving on a broad escarpment. As we continue westwards, the road descends to the Bukkraal River, only 170 m above sea level, then dips into a meshwork of rolling hills. The road meanders through the hills, clinging to the edge of sheer drops as it rises for 7 km from the valley, up the main Baviaanskloof Pass. Driving cautiously is essential, even as the avid 4x4 Adventurer will thrill at this exhilarating experience. The drive continues through Coleskeplaas past the end of the tar road and the kloof starts to open out, where the road runs along the river. On both sides are the mountain peaks, seldom less than 300 m and often more than 700 m above the river. 20 km further along is Kleinpoort and then another 5 km the police post at Studtis where the Baviaanskloof Forest Reserve is situated.
Beyond Studtis the river gorge narrows and the road winds between tall peaks to Beacon’s Nek, where the kloof widens into the Verloren River Valley. Another 28 km brings you to the foot of the third and last pass, Nuwekloof. Although the pass is only 3 km.... The scenery is majestic, with steep krantzes flanking the narrow kloof and emerges onto the Karoo with a drive of 33 km to Willowmore.
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