Addo Elephant Park 4x4 route

[Rocstompa]

We have just got back from the Bedrogsfontein 4x4 route in Addo.



There were three vehicles , a Fortuner a Toyota double cab and myself.We were there to enjoy the trail but also to have a look at a possible future project within the reserve.



This trail starts just outside Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape and is approximately 50 odd km long. This should take you most of the day with some stops, we left Port Elizabeth at about 08h00 Saturday morning and finished the trail at Darlington lake dam as the anthems were being sung for the South African /England game.

The weapon of choice for the trail.



A previous project/task done with the Continental guys to try reabilitate a piece of barren veld. A hessian type bag is used as a ground cover and thorn bushes are packed on top to stop the animals from getting to the new grass and let it get a firm grip in the soil. The bags over time are bio degradable leaving the thorn trees and grass, over a long period of time the thorn tree should also dissapear.



We traveled down the riverbeds and came to our first and only river crossing.





The views on this trail are spectacular.This photo looking back from where we had just come from.



One of the springs that the trail is named after, this was another project where a small rock dam was built to catch the water which was then transfered via a pipe to a concrete dam further down the mountain. There was previously no water in this dam and the spring water sank into the ground, now the dam is full and the overflow soaks away.The next stage is to release goldfish into the water to keep it clean, although we think the birds will remove them faster than we can stock the dam.





This open piece of ground is where General Smuts troups camped before attacking the English soldiers that came up the same valley as 4x4 trail. In the second photo you can see his house that was built as he did not camp with the commandos.





A photo of the valley that you come up while doing the trail, you will get some scratches on your vehicle but the trail is in no way tough.

[Rocstompa]

This photo is of the start of the cycad forest , during the climb you will start seeing lots of cycads , once in this cycad forest you can lay claim to have been in the only cycad forest in the world.



Crossing the top of the mountain from the Kabouga side to the Darlington lake dam side of the reserve.



In the distance Darlington lake Dam.



An old oxwagon on route.



You can see the tyres of the patrol have seen some mud, they apparently had 35mm the previous night.



Our accomodation for Saturday night



After the rugby we went for a game drive and sundowners at the dam.



Some photos of the lodge.





On the way back to PE we went via Kommadagga, Anns Villa, Zuurberg Mountain Inn and Addo town.







Then the rain started but did'nt last long, all in all it was a great trip and reccomended to do. You can do it in one day from PE but it would be a long day.Our total milage was only 320km for the two days.

[Kagiso II]

anything more than THANK YOU would spoil this lovely report with supporting photos - and nice work you guys are doing to prevent erosion.

Thank you

[KOOS BEST]

One thing about the E cape , it must be the best province to live in to travel by 4x4.
From the Wild Coast, and beaut. of a coastal area to the Karoo , thornveld, bushveld and to put the cherry on the top the highlands and mountains , with lost of snow etc. etc.
Nice report thx.

Will be doing some parts this holiday , like the Rhodes area, the wartrail, Mountain Zebra PARK , Burchell's, the legendary Katot Meyer route and farm near Avontuur etc etc.
Groetnis.
Koos

[Rocstompa]

I really enjoyed the Burchells oxwagon route, maybe the 60mm of rain the previous night added to the fun and experience.It was the only time that I have had 4 wheels( Front and rear locks) pulling forward as the vehicle went backwards, we had to cut fynbos to get traction just to get out as the wheels were clogged with clay type mud and we couldnt reverse out as we only started slipping once we had turned a corner on an uphill, there was also no place to attach a winch although I had 30m of straps.These are the routes that you remember well.

I am also going to be in that area just before Christmas , I am taking my dad who has always wanted to go though Baviaans.He is coming up from Capetown so I thought of meeting him in Knysna and going through to Avontuur.

[Langman]

Right under my nose and did not even know about it...looks great...untouched by most. Let me know if there is space and the date and maybe I can join in with my Patrol. It has been in for some cosmetic surgery after I left the road unexpectedly 2 weeks ago. She will be coming back though with a brand spanking new TJM Bumper and KC spots. Getting her tomorrow....cannot wait, had a rental in her absence which made me feel very vulnerable to taxi's. With the Patrol you are bang for nothing and overlook those buggers in the taxi's and the intimidation turns in your favour.