Medike and Zwakala
Posted: 11 Jan 2023 17:16
Over the Christmas and New Year holidays we ventured north to explore the newly established nature reserve Medike in the Soutpansberge. The campsite may feel a bit rustic with long drop toilet and Tarzan shower but it is fantastically located in a sort of giant natural amphitheatre. Chris, the manager, has just completed a road that now connects the two properties managed by the EWT. Since we anyway were the Guinea pigs for the campsite, we decided to give the new road a go as well. Due to several photo stops, it took us about an hour to cover 7kms in low range, despite an admittedly very short dual carriage way section (approx. 25m, see picture). Chris put in some good bumps on which I touched a few times with my tow hook. Our Patrol and the hired Toyota Hilux had no problems with the road. Nevertheless, we all agreed that it was a good decision to leave the LR Freelander in the campsite (no offence a well-maintained Defender would probably manage as well 
). I guess it would be fun to cross the Soutpansberge through this scenic route.
The next day we went for a hike. By distance it was actually quite a short one (some 10 to 12kms) but it took us about 6 hours. Apart from the breath-taking scenery, our guide, showed us bushmen paintings and lead us up the escarpment to a secluded waterfall. The rest of the time we enjoyed hanging out in the campsite, eating, drinking and celebrating the entry to 2023.
Our second destination was Zwakala. As the weather was rubbish half the time, we spent a lot of time in the brewery which has excellent pale & dark ales, lager and fantastic short ribs. Zwakala lies in the Haenertsberg area, which has a well-developed tourist infrastructure and offers tons of stuff to do. Despite the delights that Zwakala offers, like gender segregated spa-facilities (i.e. brewery for the guys and pedicure, massages etc. for the ladies), for us the visit to Medike was the highlight of the trip.
Consumption on the trip:
Joburg to Louis Trichard 11,6 l/100km (mostly on HWY with camping trailer, lowest consumption with trailer ever!!!, probably caused by strong tailwind)
Around Medike, to Zwakala & back to Joburg 14,1 l/100km (including several hours in low range and probably some headwind on return trip)
). I guess it would be fun to cross the Soutpansberge through this scenic route. The next day we went for a hike. By distance it was actually quite a short one (some 10 to 12kms) but it took us about 6 hours. Apart from the breath-taking scenery, our guide, showed us bushmen paintings and lead us up the escarpment to a secluded waterfall. The rest of the time we enjoyed hanging out in the campsite, eating, drinking and celebrating the entry to 2023.
Our second destination was Zwakala. As the weather was rubbish half the time, we spent a lot of time in the brewery which has excellent pale & dark ales, lager and fantastic short ribs. Zwakala lies in the Haenertsberg area, which has a well-developed tourist infrastructure and offers tons of stuff to do. Despite the delights that Zwakala offers, like gender segregated spa-facilities (i.e. brewery for the guys and pedicure, massages etc. for the ladies), for us the visit to Medike was the highlight of the trip.
Consumption on the trip:
Joburg to Louis Trichard 11,6 l/100km (mostly on HWY with camping trailer, lowest consumption with trailer ever!!!, probably caused by strong tailwind)
Around Medike, to Zwakala & back to Joburg 14,1 l/100km (including several hours in low range and probably some headwind on return trip)
. It's not technical but i definitely wouldn't want to haul our trailer up there. We were thinking that it would be a nice trip for a weekend: Go up to Medike base camp via the R522 from LT on Friday, do the trail to the upper campsite on Saturday, stay there for the night and on Sunday continue towards the East through a series of farms before connecting with the N1 some 15-20kms north of LT and back home.