Tankwa - February 2009 Incorporating the Kagga Kamma 4x4 trail and the Old Post Route Check out the photo's taken by Aleksandar Stapar - Aleksandar's Photo's The group gathered bang on time in Prince Alfred Hamlet, having refueled in Ceres and we headed out over the Gydo Pass to Op-die-Berg and the turning off the tar in the direction of Kagga Kamma, where tyres were deflated. Erratic 29MHz radio sets made communication difficult, but fortunately the group was small enough for this not to be too much of a hindrance. The climb up the Katbakkies Pass into the Swartruggens area adjacent to the Ceres Karoo was spectacular as usual, providing panoramic views over the valley below. Arriving at the reception of Kagga Kamma we received our maps of the property and took the opportunity to walk around the facilities to soak up the special ambience of this place. Then it was out onto the trail for a late afternoon 'game drive' however we were a bit early as the bulk of the wildlife weren't heading for the waterholes for an hour or so yet. Nevertheless we did see some zebra, red hartebeest, bontebok, eland, gemsbuck and ostrich. The bushman paintings were incredible in their scale, clarity and preservation. With the sun sinking rapidly, we made our way past the bush landing strip to Bobbejaankrans, our overnight camp site just north of the Kagga Kamma resort, but still on their property, where free camping is the order of the day. (In fact, for all camp sites on the route you have to be completely self sufficient, providing your own water, ablutions and sleeping arrangements.) Having settled in and made camp, the fire was lit and the usual braai banter ensued. Next day, we struck camp and drove out at 09:00 to explore the 4x4 trails. The track was quite winding though the ride was relatively smooth. The odd steep ascent or descent over rocky ground keeps one on one's toes and drivers should beware of a hazardous descent where it is advisable to get out and inspect the way forward before driving down. Vehicles with limited ground clearance are especially at risk and some packing of rocks may be required. From here we continued our route up the centre of the property to a magnificent viewpoint where a plaque commemorates the incorporation of the farms into this reserve, back in 1999. By mid morning this were going smoothly, but as we neared the northern exit point, the dread message came over the radio from Carl at the back, suspecting that the Landy in front of him had punctured a tyre. On inspection it was evident that it had been driven flat for quite a while as it was completely lacerated! This required a slight detour by the lead vehicle as the dealers had omitted to include a wheel spanner in the standard toolkit! Half the group went on ahead to De Mond to chill and swim, whilst the necessary repairs were affected. An hour or so later, we under way again, en route to the farm Elandsvlei and the start of the Old Postal Route where we arrived at around 15:00. Here we crossed the Doring, the Tankwa and Tra-Tra rivers in quick succession as we headed west towards the Cederberg, away from the sparse dessert type vegetation of succulents towards larger fynbos and mountain protea forests. The Old Postal Route traces the path walked weekly between the settlement at Elandsvlei and the mission station at Wupperthal, by the young girl whose job this was. It is an area where dramatic canyons have been cut into the surrounding countryside by once mighty rivers in an era when this was maybe not quite the dry arid region it is today. We followed the well signposted route in a north westerly direction, over rough farm track of loose rock and gravel. The route loosely follows the course of the Doring River for some 4-5 kms before the river veers off to the NE and the trail continues NW. The river enters one of many canyons along this section of its course and the views from the trail on the adjourning plateau are nothing but spectacular. After some 20kms of fairly decent track, you arrive at a turn off to the right (sign posted). The turn to the right is to the KliphuisKloof 4x4 Route and campsite, whereas we continued straight so as to complete the Old Post Route, where it meets the Biedouw 4x4 Trail. The track climbs steadily the further west one travels, until you reach the edge of the escarpment where we descended into the Biedouw Valley and made our way to Enjolife (sic), the guest farm of a young German couple who have a wonderful campsite with great ablutions, a swimming pool and where we were glad to shower off the dust from the trail in blissfully hot water! Once again, supper was prepared around the braai fire and most preferred a relatively early night, as the day had seen us long in the saddle due to the great distances needed to be travelled. Sunday dawned early with the local cockerel crowing loudly at 05:30, the sheep gathering for their daily feed right next to our encampment and other early animal risers making their presence felt. (Fortunately the baboon troop were having a sleep in, so they didn't join the fray.) Having bad our hosts goodbye, we then headed westwards out of the Biedouw and the south again towards Wupperthal where we spent an hour walking around photographing this quaint mission town, before hitting the road to Ceres. Our lunch stop was at the waterfall just outside Esselbank, where only the brave swam in the delightfully cool and refreshing mountain spring waters. From Esselbank we followed the valley southwards to Matjiesrivier and ultimately Op-die-Berg, back over the Gydo Pass and down into Ceres, where the whole adventure had commenced just two days previously. The tour was lead by Philip and Lesley in their 80 series Cruiser, with Greg and Karen in a Terrano, Aleksandar, Sarah and Filip in a Defender and Carl in a Cruiser pick-up making up the rest of the group. Thanks to all to making this yet another great club outing.