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.  

 

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. 

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.  

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.  

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.

 

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!

 

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!

 

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

 

 

We would love to hear about your adventures and outdoor expeditions, especially if they happen in SOUTHERN AFRICA. Whether it is a chilled outing with the family or a hard core, adrenaline pumping adventure!

Write (blog) about your experiences and send it to clarise@inpura.co.za titled Web Post or write your story in any of the Reply Boxes on the webpage. If we like it we will post it on this website.

Happy Adventures

Clarise

So, you are working hard, family life is keeping you busy and you are trying to fit in a social life somewhere. There is no time left to enjoy the outdoors. Keep telling yourself that and you will continue leading a boring, miserable, and depressed life. What you’ve been telling yourself is absolute nonsense. Nature is all around us, even in urban areas. Here is what we did…

 

 The p.o.a. – plan of action…
The month of December is generally a chilled time for most people as it is all about taking some time off from work, enjoying a holiday, being festive and spending time with family, and it is the same for us. The only problem is that we are so used to working and always being busy that it is sometimes difficult to shut down completely.
Two weeks into December myself, my cousin and his wife decide to get a bit more active. They decided that what they wanted for 2009 was to more frequently take part in various outdoor and adventure activities, so we decided to start off a bit earlier. On Saturday 27 December 2008 we were up at 5 a.m. to get an early start. It wasn’t easy getting up this early but we pulled through. The idea was to go for a chilled hike in one of the reserves in Pretoria. We had two options, but the first one we went to was still closed so we went to the second option which was the Faerie Glen Nature Reserve in Genl. Louis Botha Avenue.

Doing it…
When we arrived at the reserve around 06:20 there were only two other vehicles in the parking lot. We had never been there and we had no idea where we were gonna hike to. There was an aerial map of the reserve which showed the paths in the reserve as well as the contour lines. We decided to just start walking and go wherever we felt, so off we went. 

 
Birds…
It was a cool, crisp morning which made it perfect hiking weather. The hike started slow because we were so in awe of all the beautiful birdlife that we stopped every few meters to look these birds up in our bird book. We had never seen so many brightly colored weavers together, both in red and yellow. The weavers included the Southern Masked-Weaver, Cape Weaver, and Red Bishop. We continued on our walk and also saw the beautiful Red-collared Widowbird with its long tail feathers, the White-winged Widowbird with its yellow shoulders and white wing feathers, but the bird that caught our attention was the Red-chested Cuckoo also known as the Piet-my-vrou (more on that later).

High and mighty…
Our walk took us along a stream, over a bridge, into some grassland, and up a hill known as Renosterkop (or Rhino hill). There were quite a few paths going in different directions but we opted for the routes going up, up and awaaay!! It wasn’t too steep going up but there were one or two sections where you had to keep your footing. It was all worth it when we arrived at the top. We could see the entire Pretoria from there. Lynnwood road was on the one side and Atterbury road on the other side.  Two of the busiest roads in Pretoria and this gem in the middle of both that few bother to visit. We could see all the malls in the area and even Menlyn Mall looked small. 

 

Difficulties…
After a few photos and a snack break at the top, we continued along the border fence. Seems like people aren’t too adventurous because the further we walked away from the cars the harder it was to keep to paths as they disappeared because there wasn’t as much ‘traffic’ going through that area. Sad. Very sad. Our hike was interrupted by a very familiar sound, that of the Piet-my-vrou. We could hear that this very interesting bird was close by, but to see one is a different story. There were females answering to the males calling but still no sight.

More difficulties…
We decided to track down this elusive bird. Easier said than done. At one stage I’m certain we couldn’t have been further than 5m – 8m from the bird, but still no sight. This bird is a pro at camouflage and it was proven again on that day. We weren’t too happy but there will be another day. After exploring the top of the hill, we started heading down. My cousin tripped as he stepped on a rock that gave way under his weight and he fell. Trying not to damage the camera he twisted his knee which hit another rock quite hard. I was stressed because he was clearly in pain and I was concerned about a possible broken leg. Luckily it was just a bruised knee combined with a bruised ego. The outdoors is tough, even when it is just a day outing – remember that!

Down and about…
When we reached the foot of the hill we crisscrossed the paths taking us through spectacular areas. We got so lost in the beauty of this area that we forgot we were in the middle of the city. From grassland, to forest-like areas, rivers, trees, birds, trickling streams, flowers, insects, … As we moved closer to the cars we started seeing more people also enjoying nature. We shared our morning experience with others as they also shared their experiences with us. We decided that we were more than happy with our little expedition, which lasted about 4 hours, and headed back to the car.

Experience…
It is such a pity that this urban and natural combination is so beautiful and we never make time to experience it, even though many of us drive past it every day.

Haenertsburg is a quaint little town situated on the edge of the Great Escarpment  in the Limpopo Province, between Polokwane and Tzaneen. Originally a gold rush town back in 1887, this tiny village has now become a popular destination for the nature lover and outdoor enthusiast. That is why I want to share my 4-day hiking expedition in the Wolkberg with you:

Day 1

The first day wasn’t very exciting as it consisted mostly of driving from Johannesburg to Haenertsburg – which was around 400 odd km’s. When everyone arrived in town at the Red Plate Restaurant (great food!!), we went to a house were we spent the night. There was a quick briefing and the nine girls had to repack their backpacks to ensure they had everything they needed, and that they didn’t take any unnecessary stuff with. The girls were all aged between 16 and 17 years old. Everyone had a quick dinner and went to bed as we had a very early start the next day.

Day 2

Our alarms went off at 03:00 – way too early if you ask me! We had breakfast, completed some last minute packing and set off into the dark at 04:00. The first few kilometers were on a dirt road up the foot of the mountain. It was a gradual climb but nobody noticed because it was dark and you couldn’t really tell we were hiking uphill. It got lighter as we progressed with the hiking. We made a few quick stops along the way just so that the hikers in the back could rejoin the rest of the group. Eventually we got to the bottom of a steep mountain. We had a rest and had some snacks and then started walking again. The walk got steep, it was getting windy and the temperature was dropping. The group did well, although one of the girls was struggling – she was the tiniest in the group but never complained.

It was getting misty and every time we thought the top was in sight, there was another uphill section waiting. After a while we had to really stick together as the mist was getting thicker and it was easy to lose someone. We walked through an area covered in protease, although it wasn’t in full bloom, eventually we reached a road going past a plantation area. We stopped for a quick snack and continued because it was too cold too sit too long. The dirt road was very steep and after a few hundred meters we went off the road and straight up a very steep section. It was tough but the effort paid off as we reached the top at last. We were 2,100m above sea level. Unfortunately, because of the mist a potentially spectacular view was lost because of the thick white wall of mist. Pity though.

 

What goes up, must come down they say. We started descending and it was more difficult than the ascent. It was a steep downhill, quite rocky and the mist made the already technical route even more slippery. The impact on our knees and ankles made the walk uncomfortable. After a few hundred meters the steep slope started flattening out and the walk became easier. We arrived at a clear mountain stream where we had another rest and snack break. We filled our water bottles from the stream and continued on our hike. Our hike turned into a gradual downhill with some flat sections and it leads us onto a road winding through the plantations. We stopped for lunch at a viewpoint, but still all we could see was a white wall of mist.

After lunch we continued through the plantations on the winding road. The road was slippery but we managed well. We walked for a few kilometers and as we reached the bottom of the valley, it all changed into a beautiful lush forest area with waterfalls and small mountain streams. The scenery was spectacular but that didn’t change the fact that we were getting very tired. Eventually the winding road took us back into a plantation. Camp wasn’t too far off but it felt like we were never going to reach it, but before we could lose all hope we arrived at the campsite.

The campsite was just a patch of dirt with no infrastructure, but the fact that it was next to a beautiful river made it worth it.  It was as if everyone got a second breath as we started setting up camp. Some of the girls went for a swim in the river. The water was crystal clear but quite cold so I chickened out. I decided to rather sit in a very shallow rock pool which helped relieve all the aches and pains in my legs.

As the sun was slowly setting the campsite turned into a big kitchen as everyone prepared dinner. Preparations were made, and packs were packed for the next day. Stomachs full, tents pitched, bathed in the river, and very tired, we all went to bed as soon as it was dark and fully enjoyed a good night’s rest.

Day 3

Up at 05:30 we all prepare breakfast, finish packing, take down the campsite and head out. The hike ahead was shorter than any of the other days, about 10km compared to an average of 18km per day. I went ahead in the support vehicle because I had to set up ropes so that the girls could start climbing once they arrive. It was a beautiful valley with a big lake, very picturesque.

When we arrived at the climbing spot the area was very overgrown. It was quite a mission to find a path to the crag, which was only about 50m from the road. A little bund-bashing and we managed to get through. Now there was another problem – I had to get to the top of the crag so that I could set up the ropes. The problem was that I didn’t know where to go up and I wasn’t keen on walking through a marsh to get there, so I did a little bit of bouldering up a relatively easy section of rock. It was a little bit dodgy but I managed to get up in one piece. I found the anchor bolts for the route, anchored myself to a few big rocks for safety and set up the ropes. The girls’ timing was perfect as they arrived just as I finished with the setup. 

The girls started climbing up the route, it was quite an easy route for me, I guess it was around a grade 12 but what is easy for me isn’t necessarily easy for everyone. This was clear as some of the girls struggled to get past the crux of the route. Most of them did reach the top. When everyone finished climbing Gary, the team leader, went to set up an abseil about 5m left of the route they had just climbed. A little bundu bashing for them to get to the rock face so they could scramble up. The abseil went quick as the girls managed the activity with ease. After completing the abseil everyone kitted their packs and we headed towards camp.

Along the way we saw a few big bush pigs. They were clearly more afraid of us, than us of them, but I don’t suggest taking chances with wild animals. We weren’t heading directly to camp, we were making a lunch stop first. If you don’t know about it, you probably will walk straight past without realizing what you are missing. Along the road there was an overgrown path that lead up to a beautiful waterfall. A perfect spot for lunch and for a quick cool down in the clear mountain pool. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was a good energizer for the last stretch to camp.

When we all arrived at camp we all pitched tents and got settled in. We were going to stay at this site for two nights which would save us a lot of effort. I felt like I needed a good cleanup myself. With no infrastructure at the site (which was only a patch of grass) I headed to the river for a bath. For reference purposes don’t ever use any soaps or chemicals in a river as it damages the ecosystem – a bath in a wilderness area is basically just a good fun swim. The water was cold at first but very refreshing and it felt great to be clean.

Back at the campsite I started preparing dinner as I wanted to be done by the time the sun is down. After dinner, packing, and a nice chat with the rest of the team we headed off to bed for another good night’s rest.

Day 4

The first few kilometers were pleasant as it was flat, and we stopped on the way at another mountain stream to fill our water supply. We continued our walk and after quite a while got to a steep dirt road. It wasn’t very long so we managed up it with minimal effort. At the top we took a quick rest and enjoyed the spectacular view. We then headed down a steep hill so we had to pay attention as one wrong step would have our bums meeting the dirt easily. The rest of the route was flat taking us through grasslands and forest areas.

The alarm went off at 05:00 and again the routine of having breakfast, finishing off some final packing, and heading off for a good hike. Another 18km lay ahead of us, but it was a return route of 9km each way as we walked out to a beautiful lunch spot and then back to camp.

The fun began when we realized that there were quite a few river crossings ahead. Jumping from rock to rock to try and stay dry only lasted for the first three or four rivers and then I got tired of all the effort and just walked straight through. The cool stream was refreshing and although my shoes and socks were absolutely soaking it was fun. The other girls also got tired of trying to stay dry and followed my lead. We needed to keep steady footing because the rocks were slimy and a slip would take you swimming. A few girls did and some just avoided the plunge.

After about 9km we reached our destination. A spectacular waterfall. Actually it was three waterfalls in one as the first fell down into a pool and from the pool again into another pool and then again into another. Three waterfalls in one. The perfect lunch spot. We scrambled up to the top waterfall and while some enjoyed lunch, others enjoyed a cool down in the cold, clear pools. We stayed there for at least two hours as we chilled and appreciated nature.

The route back to camp was the same route we had taken the morning. We walked back an entire hour faster than we did to the waterfall. Probably because we weren’t spending so much time trying to stay dry on the river crossings. We arrived back at camp around 14:00 and chilled the rest of the day, had dinner, quick river bath, prepared for the next day and went to bed.

Day 5

The final day, and a big day at that. Alarms shouting at us again at 05:00. The last early breakfast, getting everything we needed for the day packed and heading off. During the night it drizzled a little bit so the morning was cool. It was very misty and the further we headed up the hill the thicker the mist got. The reason this day was quite strenuous is that it was a constant uphill for 9km – no flat sections just various gradients. It was gonna be tough. A short walk up the hill we stopped to refill our water supply at the river because the next water stop was a long hike away.

After our stop we realized that the hike was getting steeper. Every time we thought there seemed to be a flat section ahead, it was just another bigger hill in disguise. We did make a few stops to catch our breath, but we didn’t want to stand still for too long because the further we continued up the mountain the colder it got. Because of all the mist the dirt road was very slippery so we were cautious of slipping because it was a long way down. Eventually we got past the toughest section and everyone was pleased. That didn’t mean the up hills were finished though.

A quick water stop at a stream and we headed up again. We got to a section where the road was extremely eroded. I had never seen erosion that bad before. It was very slippery, so slippery that we had to walk on all fours to prevent a fall – if that had to happen someone could get badly hurt. Climbing over fallen trees, bashing through bushes and avoiding falling into the erosion holes we all eventually made it past all the dodgy areas, but it was a good laugh though. A quick stop to take a breather and we continued up, up and up.

The mist was so thick I considered trying to eat it! (ok, not really). The mist combined with wind was the same as walking in the rain. Water streamed down my face the same as it would when you climb out of a swimming pool. I’ve been rained on quite a few times before, but I had never been attacked by mist in this way. It started getting really cold, as our clothes, and shoes were soaking. The rain jacket did help a lot though. I kept asking myself why we had to mission up this mountain but then reminded myself that our lunch stop was another spectacular destination.

The mist was so thick that we had to regroup often to ensure nobody got lost. We started walking off-road and we got excited because this meant we were getting close. Through the thick white wall of mist we saw a big fern tree which marked the spot. What we were looking for was a hidden cave and the fern tree was the only beacon that disclosed its location. You would expect a hole on the side of a cliff but this cave was down a hole in the ground – absolutely amazing!

We climbed into the hole with caution as it was slippery and very wet down there. Geared with our headlamps we went down to explore. The cave entrance was a tunnel where you had to crouch through and then around the first corner was a 2m down climb. The climb took some guts because one wrong foot placement and you would fall into a nice big pool of water. It could be refreshing on a hot day, but today was clearly nowhere near hot. The tunnel took us into a chamber then another tunnel and again into another chamber. It was great doing a bit of cave exploring. There was a small tunnel that could previously be crawled through to get out the other side, but we didn’t have time and because of all the rain that section of the tunnel wasn’t safe.

We went back through the tunnel to get our backpacks and enjoyed lunch in one of the bigger chambers in the cave. It was great to be out of the wind and mist and to enjoy some good food. After a long rest and a bit of socializing we had to head back out into the cold so we could hike back to camp. It was still very misty outside but as we descended down the mountain the mist started to withdraw and we could enjoy the sunlight and a spectacular view. 

Back at the camp we started packing up and taking down our tents. We were heading back to town in the balkier. I and Jen were sitting on the back of the balkier while the girls all fit inside. We had to dodge a lot of branches at the back but it was all good fun. When we arrived in Haenertsburg after about a 45 minute drive, everyone sorted their kit as the mothers came to pick up the girls. I must admit that although I enjoyed roughing it for the past few days, I was very happy to enjoy a hot shower!