Press release

19 April 2010

Money for JAM

Seven-time Dusi Marathon winner and Spur Adventure ambassador Martin Dreyer is participating in the Spur Adventure Charity Challenge at the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, on Saturday 24 April 2010. Dreyer is encouraging everyone to join him as all proceeds from the challenge go to Joint Aid Management (JAM), a non-profit humanitarian relief and development organisation that currently assists more than 500,000 children a year through nutritional feeding, health and social welfare programmes across Africa.

“Most of us would agree that there’s nothing better than a weekend of adventure spent outdoors navigating your way through nature on foot or bicycle,” says Dreyer. “Now you can enjoy your outdoor pursuits and do something good for JAM while you’re getting wet and having fun in the process.”

In addition to supporting JAM through this initiative, athletes from Dreyer’s grassroots’ initiative ‘Change a Life’ will also participate in the Spur Adventure Charity Challenge.

According to Dreyer, the Adventure Challenge consists of a 20km mountain bike trail ride (two 10km loops) and 5km trail (two 2.5km loops) dash through nature with natural obstacles and water crossings. Teams can participate in the long or short courses and for the less energetically inclined there’s a scenic 6-7km circular route nature hike.

Dreyer, who recently became a first-time father, says there is also a bush baby trail that has been developed specifically for kids between the ages of 6-10years. “It kicks off with a ‘sak resies’ (bag race) and then children are guided along a marked trail on foot, negotiating a number of obstacles and surprises that include live demonstrations and discussions on birds, snakes and other flora and fauna.”

Spur Group Managing Director Pierre van Tonder says the Spur Adventure Charity Challenge is an outdoor experience for the whole family. “Spur Adventure is a celebration of all things South African’ an event that makes the most of our great weather, our scenic surrounds and the simple pleasure of spending time with family and friends.”

For training tips and more information log onto www.spur.co.za/adventure and www.spurbootcamp.co.za or contact
Quantum Adventures on 021 789 0188.

What: Spur Adventure Charity Challenge
Date: Saturday 24 April, 2010
Place: Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Pretoria (Gauteng)

Join seven-time Dusi Marathon winner and Spur Adventure ambassador Martin Dreyer in the Spur Adventure Charity Challenge at the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, on Saturday 24 April 2010. Dreyer is encouraging everyone to join him, as all proceeds from the challenge go to Joint Aid Management (JAM), a non-profit humanitarian relief organisation.

The Adventure Challenge consists of a 20km mountain bike trail ride (two 10km loops) and 5km trail (two 2.5km loops) dash through nature with natural obstacles and water crossings. Teams can participate in the long or short courses and for the less energetically inclined there’s a scenic 6-7km circular route nature hike. A bush baby trail has also been developed specifically for kids between the ages of 6-10years.

For training tips and more information log onto www.spur.co.za/adventure or contact
Quantum Adventures on 021 789 0188.

KZN coastline

KwaZulu-Natal, located in the east of South Africa, is a spectacularly picturesque province. It is a popular region for holiday makers, both locally as well as internationally. Relaxing options include taking in the sun, sea, and sand or exploring the lush forests, abundant wildlife and diverse culture.

 A must-see is the breathtaking Oribi Gorge which is approximately 27 km long, 4 km at its widest point and 400m deep. This gorge is situated 120 km south of Durban and 20 km west of Port Shepstone which makes it a perfect day or weekend getaway.  

Cliffs in the Oribi

I have visited the area a few times and always enjoy it, that is why I want to share this with you.

Oribi Gorge is the eastern gorge of two gorges that cuts through the Oribi Flats (flat sugarcane farmlands); the western gorge was formed by the Mzimkulu River. Rocks of over 1,000 million years are found at the base of the cliffs but if you think that is extreme then think again as the highest gorge swing can be found here. Plunging down 33 storeys  (100 m) next to a waterfall makes this an exhilirating stop-over activity for many adventurers and brave souls, and yes I was brave enough to make the jump. Other activities in the area include hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, zipslide, photographic opportunities, jumping off Lehr’s waterfall, and white water rafting. 

Waterfall at gorge jump

The nature lover can visit the Lake Eland Game Reserve and experience the diversity of four distinct ecosystems: Bushveld, Grasslands, Wetlands and Coastal Forest. Giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and a range of antelope including eland, mountain reedbuck, and bushbuck can be spotted. Birdwatching is also an amazing experience as there are more than 250 listed species in the area. The flora of the area is a diverse tapestry of grassland, thorn trees and proteas, mixed with semi-deciduous forests and riverine bushveld comprising 500 plant species.  

Gorge Swing

Absolutely spectacular! That is all I can say about this gem. Thousands of vehicles drive past on either side every day, but only a rare few take the time to make it into the gates. I’m talking about the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Tshwane, Pretoria. It was proclaimed a game sanctuary on 25 February 1895 by President Paul Kruger and was the first game sanctuary in Africa. Its main purpose was to protect the large herds of game found in that area, including the oribi.  

View of the city

There are various activities in the reserve, including horse trails, mountain bike trails, 4×4 route, picnic area, and of course hiking, which we did. Wildlife in the reserve include zebra, jackal, duiker, kudu, impala, blue wildebeest, blesbuck, red hartebeest, ostrich, giraffe and sable.

The three of us arrived just after 08:00 (24 January 2009). It was a cool, cloudy morning – perfect weather for a morning hike. There were three trails to choose from; the yellow trail is 3.5km, the red trail 10.5km, and the white trail which we did is 4.5km. We decided to take it easy on our first visit to the reserve because we didn’t know the area well. Next time we’ll do the red trail.

Hiking Trail

A few hundred meters from the start of the trail we came across some dassies (Rock Hyrax). They were well camouflaged sitting on the rocks, hoping that we wouldn’t see them. We continued on and saw a few hornbills flying between the trees, and although we weren’t fortunate enough to see any buck, we definitely saw traces of them – fresh dung!

Spot the dassie

We found it astonishing that this lush piece of paradise is so close to home and that we never before took the time to experience it. Although we did get a few glances of the city between the trees, and although some areas of the trail took us very close to the highway, it was still as if we were miles away from the city. We stopped a few times to breath in the freshest air in Pretoria. The morning air was crisp, clear and fresh. We could almost taste nature!

The trail is well maintained and well marked so you can’t get lost. Although there were many cars in the parking lot when we arrived, we only saw one other couple, and two mountain bikers who came past. We came across the most beautiful colourful flowers. Red, yellow, white, purple, pink, orange! It was everywhere. We also saw the funkiest little dung beetles, the coolest moss on trees, amazing spiderwebs, and big mushrooms. The viewpoints provided views of Pretoria that we had never seen before – fantastic!

Beautiful flora

 I must admit that I am looking forward to returning to the reserve.