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 4×4 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.

You Will Need:

4×4 Vehicle, Camping equipment and your own beverages. If it is a cross border 4×4 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.