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New Agendas
Day Trips
These day trips do not include the Business Days.
Trips are upgraded quarterly, so please watch this space.
Day Trips in 2010
For more information, click on the Name of the Trip
October 3 Sunday Ou Trekpad 4x4
31 Sunday Two Oceans
November 21 Sunday Atlantis Dunes
TIERKLOOF 4X4 - Rawsonville
Grade: Between 3 - 4
Route distance: approx. 15 km
Terrain: Mountain and Sand
Accommodation: Camping with full ablution facilities
Description: The Tierkloof 4x4 trail is situated in the Cidos Mountains near Rawsonville with a beautiful view over the Brandvlei Dam, Worcester and the Breede River Valley below. The route is also called the “Donkie Kar Trail” and was used to collect wood in the mountains about 160 years ago. The trail follows the original route, which can be clearly identified from aerial photographs of the area, where workers used carts drawn by oxen to gain access to the higher lying sections of the mountains.
The trail traverses predominantly through Fynbos where the regular sighting of Dassies, Steenbokke, Duikers and Baboons are found. Although leopards still roams the mountains the possible sighting of one of these animals are highly unlikely. The total distance of the trail is approx. 15 kilometres and rises to 787 metres above sea level at the second viewpoint.
Upon starting the trail numerous interesting ascents will be encountered before reaching the first viewpoint. These ascents are technical and require drivers to test their driving skills while negotiating these obstacles. En-route to the second viewpoint more interesting obstacles will be encountered pushing the adrenalin levels just a little higher than normal. On the descent a very steep short section will be encountered before reaching “Diep Kloof” a deep sandy donga followed by a very sandy hill climb. This is always a good test of your sand driving skills after completing the mountain section. At “Diep Kloof” and the “Sand Hill Challenge” there will be enough opportunity for good photos and videos of the activities. The trail is a good combination between mountain and sand driving and is definitely worth a visit. To cool off and return the adrenalin levels to normal after this exiting route we have the opportunity to go for a quick swim in the Brandvlei Dam in very close proximity to the Lapa area.
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Grade: 1-3 Route
Distance: 26km (3-6 hours)
Terrain: Sand dunes
Accommodation: Bush camp with hot and cold showers and braai lapa
Description: Owned by the Cape Town City Council and serviced by the department of waterworks, this miniature desert off the Cape West Coast offers 250 Hectares of pristine white sand dunes. On entering the dune area, you are suddenly surrounded by the pure white sand dunes with Table Mountain in the background, a truly worthwhile sight to be appreciated. Great family fun and even experienced drivers will be challenged. As the day progresses the seemingly impossible dunes will become a lot easier to drive as your confidence and sand driving skills improve. You will visit the famous Horse Shoe and the Dog Leg which have not damaged any vehicles but have dented an ego or two in the past.
Just remember the rules of sand driving:
- As slow as possible, as fast as necessary
- Don't over-do it, rather do it over
- Tyre pressure and Momentum
- Always drive at the correct angle over a dune
- Wait for the vehicle in front of you to clear an obstacle
- Maintain sufficient following distance
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Grade: Between 2 - 4
Route Distance: approx. 15 km
Terrain: Mountain
Accommodation: Voorhoede offers accommodation with self-catering cottages, a parkhome and ample camping facilities. Cottages are all situated away from the main working farm and are very private. No electricity is available in 2 of the cottages but gas facilities are provided i.e. Geyser, fridge and stoves. There are two campsites, one at the 'Carp-and ski dam' and one in the 'Akkerbos', both with hot shower and flush toilets.
Description: Voorhoede is situated 5km east of Caledon on the N2 and a 120km from Cape Town. The farm is signposted on the right hand side of the N2. Turn right and continue up the gravel road to reception.
The trail offers various interesting obstacles starting with a play area where the difficulty will depend on the amount of rain that might have fallen close to the time of our visit. Great fun will be had by all in the play area irrelevant of the amount of rain that might have fallen before the main section of the trail is driven.
The mountain section of the trail will test the driving skills of each driver through the various obstacles before reaching a panoramic viewpoint. The obstacles that will be encountered en-route may vary from seemingly impossible in the wet winter months to challenging in the summer with escapes at most obstacles giving participants the peace of mind not damaging their vehicles. The ascents and descents on the trail will test you and your vehicle capabilities in numerous places once again giving you’re the opportunity to get to know your vehicle better and play around with different gear selections. The more adventurous drivers do not need to use the escape routes in the play area, nor on the trail, ensuring that adrenalin levels rise much higher than normal.
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HEUNINGBERG 4X4 TRAIL - Porterville
Grade: Average 3
Route Distance: 15 km
Terrain: mountainous and sand
Accommodation: As the Heuningberg 4x4 trail does not have an official campsite, you can camp at the 'Waterval Vakansie plaas' campsite at the foot of the Porterville Mountains some 30 km from the trail. The camp offers full ablution facilities with many other activities and beautiful natural rock pools for swimming close to the camp.
Description: The Heuningberg 4 x 4 trail is situated approximately 30 km from Porterville in the heart of the Swartland. This operational maize farm, on the banks of the Berg River, belongs to Eben & Linda Mouton. The trail is a circular route, which includes interesting ascents and descents, highlighted by the 700 metre, 30 degree decent, where driver skills and driving techniques will be tested. Upon reaching the viewpoint, the snaking trail of the Berg River through the low laying valleys can clearly be seen, boarded by the many maize and wine farms, all forming part of the colourful patch like scenery below. Many well-known landmarks can also be seen in the far distance. These landmarks normally become an interesting discussion where all learn above the beautiful view below.
In the summer time certain sections of the dry river bed can be driven, adding to the excitement of the trip.
Depending on the time of the year the trail is visited the newly ploughed land or the young green maize standing proud or golden maize blowing in the wind will leave you astonished with the beauty and power of nature. The view will definitely be worth the effort. The mountain range overlooking the town of Porterville and the Dasklip Pass, from where Para gliders have set many world records, can be seen in the distance.
A new section has been added to the trail with interesting obstacles and a descent where the adrenalin will definitely rise a few levels, but without the danger of damage to the vehicles.
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UITKYK - Stellenbosch
Grade: 2 - 3
Terrain: Mountainous
Description: Uitkyk Wine Estate is situated on the R44 between Klapmuts and Stellenbosch. It is home to the oldest double story house in South Africa, built in 1788, where the most amazing murals were discovered on the walls in the house under 16 layers of paint. The antique furniture, the grand piano and many other items in and around the house will justify a visit to this estate. We are privileged and proud to have the exclusive 4x4 activity rights to the estate. No visit to any wine farm will be complete without testing the latest wines of the season and maybe even investing in a few bottles for the collection at home.
The Uitkyk 4x4 trail is not open to the general public. Sections of the trail are used when the Off-Road 4x4 driver training is done. The trail mainly consists of tracks through and around the vineyards with a mountain section where a testing descent will be encountered. A viewpoint overlooking the peninsula is worth a visit, followed by a horseshoe mountain section and an obstacle course. Great fun will be enjoyed by all, with the peace of mind of no damage to vehicles.
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Should you wish to join us on an outing, please contact MARINA by E-mail/Fax to obtain the agenda for the outing, the booking form and bank details.
Your booking will only be noted upon receipt of your proof of payment and fully completed and signed booking form.
E-Mail // Fax: 021 913 2333
BABYLONSTOREN 4X4 - Malmesbury
Route Distance: Apr. 20 km
Grade: between 2 - 4, depending on the weather
Terrain: Rock and mud in wet weather
Accommodation: These are day trips with ablution facilities at the braai area
Description: The route is on a small private game reserve where you may encounter various types of buck and smaller wild life. Halfway up the mountain, at a viewpoint, you overlook Riebeeck Kasteel and Piketberg to the north. Depending on the weather the trail could vary from relatively easy to seemingly impossible at the first sighting. Peace of mind can be enjoyed by all participants as this excursion will be lead by an experienced guide having visited this trail numerous times in the past and will ensure maximum fun for all with the minimum risk of damage to vehicles.
Remember to leave your passenger named 'MR.EGO' at home as you might not want to have him as a back seat passenger. The trail starts at the bottom of a granite outcrop, after which the trail is named, with numerous interesting and challenging ascents offering spectacular views over the surrounding countryside as it climbs to the various viewpoints. The higher you climb into the mountains the more spectacular the views become. The mountain offers its own challenge with its steep ascents and descents as well as a couple of hairpin bends thrown in for good measure. Upon reaching the top of the mountain there is a '4x4 Playground' with all sorts of obstacles testing driver skills over, around and through the many obstacles. The majority of the terrain is rock and mountain with mud becoming and interesting factor, depending on the amount of rain that has fallen in the area. Bird lovers must take their binoculars, as the area is rich in bird life.
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Grade: Between 2 - 4
Route Distance: 25 km
Terrain: Sandy route with low dunes
Accommodation: No overnighting but ablutions, lapa for braai, jungle gym & bush pub
The farm De Kleine Zoute originated in the early 1700’s as a grazing and hunting outpost for the Dutch East Indian Company. Its original name “Aan her overzyde van de Kleine Zoute Rivier” literally means “on the other side of the little salt river”. The nick name Vaatjie was given to the farm in the late 1800’s, when one of the owners., a Mr.Schietekat, sunk a well at an overnight camping spot on the transport route that crossed the farm. He used a keg (Vaatjie) to prevent the sand from filling the well. Mr.Schietekat loved his sweet wine, which he bought in Paarl. The transport riders commented that the Vaatjie wells water had a nice “sweet wine” taste!
The 4x4 route is named after the old transport route that crossed the farm. The route was used by the sandveld and west coast farmers to transport their goods to, and purchases from Cape, Town.
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TWO OCEANS - Somerset West
Grade: 2 in summer and 4 in winter
Route Distance: 12 kms
Terrain: Gravel
Accommodation:
Description: The Two Oceans 4x4 trail is situated on the farm Helderbergplaas some 10 km from Somerset West on the foothills of the Helderberg Mountain, originally called the Moddergatsberge. Simon van der Stel granted the farm "Helderenbergen" to Klaas Vechtman in 1692. The farm has a spectacular view of False Bay, Stellenbosch and the Cape Peninsula. The current owner is the 5th generation of the Hendricks/Obermeyer family since 1837. Main attractions of this new route are views in a pristine fynbos environment not surpassed elsewhere in the Helderberg area.
The route has two options with one a scenic drive and less demanding and the other more demanding. The Two Oceans 4x4 trail will offer all participants the opportunity to test their driving techniques over various obstacles with peace of mind that their vehicles will not be damaged. Interesting obstacles included are Blue Gum forest, Boomslang, Horse Gully, Birds viewpoint, Sugarbush loop and Lord Charles' Highway.
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