Virgin Weskus & Karoo Trip

[Hilux01]

Hi guys,

We are planning a trip for Dec 09 that will take us all along the gravel roads of the great Karoo and the Weskus. Our current planned route looks something like this below and we as virgin KAroo and Weskus travellers require all the information we can get. Possible stay overs, must see points of interest, what to avoid, contact details for accomodation etc. We will be at least 2 vehicles, the BosMerc (my Hilux) and Bruce (Eduan's Fortuner) completely kitted with rooftops and camping gear.

11/12 - Bloemfontein
12/12 - Orania (via Petrusburg, Koffiefontein and Vanderkloofdam)
13/12 - Fraserburg (via DeAar) or Canarvorn?
14/12 - Sutherland (doing the Sterrewag)
15/12 - Tankwa Karoo NP (here we could sleep in one of the houses?
16/12 - Tankwa Karoo NP (what are the costs and which one is the best?)
17/12 - Tankwa Karoo NP (places not to miss in the park?)
18/12 - Clanwilliam (via Calvinia, Nieuwoudtsville)
19/12 - Cederberg (where what when?)
20/12 - Cederberg (where what when?)
21/12 - Melkbosstrand (where waht when?)
22/12 - Tietiesbaai (where what when?)
23/12 - Tietiesbaai (where what when?)
24/12 - Elandsbaai (w,w,w?)
25/12 - Elandsbaai (w, w, w? -details of Muisbosskerm?)
26/12 - Weskus North of Elandsbaai?
27/12 - Weskus North of Elandsbaai?
28/12 - Hondeklipbaai?
29/12 - Springbok/Pofadder? (w,w,w?)
30/12 - Verneukpan (w,w,w?)
31/12 - Verneukpan (w,w,w?)
01/01 - Prieska/Kimberley (somewhere in between maybe w,w,w?)
02/01 - BAck home (dont worry I know where to sleep :D )

Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks Henk

[ThysdJ]

Sounds like a lekker trip. Have you plotted your destinations on a paper map yet to see how it flows? I will look back in our trip history and see if I can help you out with some pointers as we have traveled to most of these places before.

[Niel]

26/12 - Weskus North of Elandsbaai?
27/12 - Weskus North of Elandsbaai?

Strandfontein is a good option. The municipal caravan park is not bad and they have selfcatering accomodation as well

[ThysdJ]

26/12 - Weskus North of Elandsbaai?
27/12 - Weskus North of Elandsbaai?

Strandfontein is a good option. The municipal caravan park is not bad and they have selfcatering accomodation as well

Besides that there is a trail between Lambertsbaai and Hondeklipbaai that takes 3 days to do all along the coast...

[Hilux01]

Kaspaas,

Thanks I will appreciate details on some of the areas. I am busy doin the route planner on T4A will sent as soon as I have it sorted out.
The 3 day route to Hondeklip. How does the accomodation work? Points of Interests? T4 A shows it running next to the railway line is that the one?

Neil,

Thanks for the info on Elandsbaai. Will have a look at the details.

Anybody got something on Tietiesbaai? Contact details maybe?

[Niel]

Henk, what kind of accomodation are you looking for i.e. selfcatering, camping, B&B ......

[ThysdJ]

Henk Google is your friend, there is a LOT of information on accommodation and POI's in most of the areas you want to visit.

AFAIK the west-coast trail is camping only. there is more info on that route here http://www.hondeklip.co.za/ . Give Attie a call, he is the owner of the Hondehokke in Hondeklipbaai, and he will be able to tell you all about the West Cost route. We (him and I) had long discussions about it last time we were there. He's a very helpful guy.

Here you can look for accommodation in the Tankwa Karoo NP
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/tankwa/to ... dation.php

I dont know what you want to do at Verneukpan for 2 days, there is totally nothing except flatness and lots of it. But it is worth the visit, and maybe to spend a night.. They HAVE accommodation now.. http://www.verneukpan.co.za/index.html

You are so going to enjoy this trip!!

[Hilux01]

Neil - We will be camping but Eduan and Therese will have a 6 months old baby with them so from time to time (Tankwa) we would like to stay in a house self catering of course.

KAspaas, Thanks for the info Ill definately give these guys a try. My plan is to spent 2 nights on verneukpan mainly because we ll be arriving late the 1st evening and spent the 31st on the panne waiting for 2010.

To much you think?

[ThysdJ]

we ll be arriving late the 1st evening and spent the 31st on the panne waiting for 2010.

To much you think?

Naah.. Your reasoning makes sense...

[ThysdJ]

Henk, if you want to sleep over in Sutherland you can contact Hannatjie Sieberhagen at Rooikloof Country cottages. http://www.matjiesfontein.co.za/nearsuth.html

[pietpetoors]

11/12 – Bloemfontein
12/12 - Orania (via Petrusburg, Koffiefontein and Vanderkloofdam)
13/12 - Fraserburg (via DeAar) or Canarvorn?
From De Aar you will anyway go via Britstown. From Britstwon go to Vosburg. The road is not easy to find. In Britstown, I think it is at the Standardbank you turn right to Vosburg, I can make sure for you and let you know. Drive into Vosburg to have a look, it is a beautiful little town and one of the smallest towns in the area.

From Vosburg there is a road which they have been trying to tar for the past 3 years and apparently it is just more than half way done. You will have about 40Km gravel road to Carnavon. From Carnavon you can go to Fraserburg.

14/12 - Sutherland (doing the Sterrewag)
Sutherland is world renowned because of Observatory that is about 18 Km from town. On the hill you will find among other telescopes the SALT Telescope (Southern African Largest Telescope) also see http://www.salt.ac.za/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

To book a tour to the telescope you can contact the information office at
023-571-1265 or contact the observatory directly at 023-571-2436.
Also see http://www.sutherlandinfo.co.za" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There are various routes to Tankwa. In these small towns just ask any business owner for directions and they will be happy to direct you. When you are done in Sutherland you drive Southwards out of town on the Matjiesrivier road pass the camping site (on your left). If I remember correctly you will be about 3Km out of town when you get a gravel road to your right, turn right there. Follow the road to Tankwa via the Ouberg Pas which is absolutely stunning. See http://www.pietpetoors.com/karoo/8.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
15/12 - Tankwa Karoo NP (here we could sleep in one of the houses?
Last time I was there the park was not officially open yet but you can stay in the houses. Get their details on http://www.sanparks.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
Also see http://www.africatrips.co.za/trips/sout" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... /index.php
17/12 - Tankwa Karoo NP (places not to miss in the park?)
I must warn you the main attraction in the park is the fact that you are far from anything and I am not sure if they even have TV signals there. Thus the only thing you can do there is chil, breathe fresh air and enjoy nature. It might a bit hot in December but not nearly as hot as places like Augrabies or the Richtersveld.

18/12 - Clanwilliam (via Calvinia, Nieuwoudtsville)
I woukd rather take the backroads to Clanwilliam except if there are something in particular you want to see in Calvinia like the hantam house. Look on the http://www.pietpetoors.com/karoo/8.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; trip I give directions to the backroad.

19/12 - Cederberg (where what when?)
There are many places and just driving around in the area is great on it’s own. You must visit Whupertal and I think an exciting trip can be if you are on your way to Clanwilliam on the dirt road from Calvinia then turn off and go to Wuperthal. Then from Whupethla take the “jeep track” to Sanddrif and camp at Sandrif. Have a look at
http://www.pietpetoors.com/cederberge/w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... /index.php and also http://www.pietpetoors.com/bike_wupperthal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

21/12 - Melkbosstrand (where waht when?)
Ask the Stadsjapies, they will tell you.

22/12 - Tietiesbaai (where what when?)
If you go to Mosselbaai you look at the Mossels, if you go to Walvisbaai you look at the Walvisse but boy, wait until you get to Tietiesbaai
Tietiesbaai is Tietiesbaai, that is the place to camp. You must book early since it is always fully booked in December. Unless you get a spot close to one of the two ablution blocks you will not have any facilities. There are no fancy things for the larnies like electricity etc.

23/12 - Tietiesbaai (where what when?)
You can stay at Tietiesbaai and explore the rest of the area. If you are like us you will spend at least a day at Tietiesbaai itself (if the wind is not blowing) walking around between the rocks next to the sea. You can also explore Paternoster, St Helenabaai and the Golden Mile at Britania Bay and of course Jacobsbaai and Langebaan.
Golden rule for the West Coast at that time: Do what you want to do early in the morning, do not sleep late! At that time of year when you wake up early it seems as if you are in paradise, the water is blue, the air clean and everything is just perfect. But most of the time the wind start blowing at about 12h00, not terrible winds but it just makes being outside not is lekker as early in the morning.

25/12 - Elandsbaai (w, w, w? -details of Muisbosskerm?)
Muisbosskerm is closer to Lambertsbaai. I guess if you are camping it might be better to camp at Lambertsbaai. At Elandsbaai it is crayfish time and December is the right time for that. Sommer there between the bamboo at the beach we collected about 30 red ones in December in one day.

27/12 - Weskus North of Elandsbaai?
Not much experience yet, but I am sure somebody will help you.

29/12 - Springbok/Pofadder? (w,w,w?)
Between Sprinbok and Pofadder make a turn at Pella
The sun will kill you in this part of the world in December so if you do want to camp make sure it is a place with trees.

[Senyetse]

Maybe you should consider Namaqua National Park just 60km or so south of Springbok, near Kammieskroon. We stayed there for 2 nights in December. I can very high;y recommend it. They only have 4 chalets (very very nice best I've seen in a park) with the most awesome view. The chalets are 4 beds and are fairly cheap in December (out o season). We paid R425 a night for 3 people last December.

Details are also on www.sanparks.org.

[Hilux01]

Thanks for the great feedbak Pieter & Charles.

Appreciate. Will definately make use of your tips.

[2.8 d/cab SFA]

:D hi, sounds like awsome trip

[Danman]

Oom thys,
Bietjie meer inligting oor die Lambertsbaai trail ons gaan Dec soontoe, en ek wil bietjie Hopalong se onderstewe vol sand maak.

[ThysdJ]

Oom thys,
Bietjie meer inligting oor die Lambertsbaai trail ons gaan Dec soontoe, en ek wil bietjie Hopalong se onderstewe vol sand maak.

Sorry my ou maat ek het hom nog nie self gery nie, maar die man by www.hondeklip.co.za sal jou kan help.