Go! Drive & Camp ROUTES THAT ROCK 2023

EDITOR'S LETTER ROUTES THAT ROCK 2023 I've heard it said that travel writers have the best jobs. I don't know whether this is true or not, but I can confirm that it's the best career that I have ever found myself in. Every so often someone will ask me if I ever get tired of all the camping and driving. I respond by quoting Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen: “To travel is to live.” Yes it's schmaltzy, but you have to admit that old Hans hit the nail squarely on the head with this quip. It's all well and good to tackle 4x4 obstacle courses with your off-road rig you acquire a lot skills by doing so – but the true pleasures lie in long journeys to remarkable places. I become…

The legend begins in 1837 when the Voortrekker leader Piet Retief descended on the foothills of Kerkenberg accompanied by nearly 55 oxwagons and hundreds of Voortrekkers. They were on their way to a new world named Natalia by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da fama. Retief and his men were amazed by what they saw and when they returned they informed the trekkers that the journey would continue. Five of the families apparently decided enough was enough. They didn't want to continue trekking or negotiate for land with anyoneZulu or Brit. They headed west and came across a picturesque valley about 30 km from Kerkenberg. If was surrounded by cliffs and had only one natural entrance. The trekkers’ oxwagons could not pass through the entrance, so they were forced to use;…

Oban Guest Farm, Van Reenen If you're looking for a posh hotel, steer clear. This is a delicious and comfortable farm experience, complete with everything one needs, in-between cattle and other elements of a working farm. A stopover at the historic farm is a lovely option for those making the trip from Johannesburg to Durban a two-day one. It is approximately 7 km from Van Reenen. There is a restaurant here, you bring your own drinks. Prices start at R390 pppn. Contact obanguestfarm.co.za 084 567 8920 (only WhatsApp) Phatt Chef Roadside Diner and B&B, Oliviershoek Pass Having owned a successful restaurant for many years in Clarens, Simon Kerr and Megan Kerr decided it was time for a change… and so they ended up at Oliviershoek Pass. The comfortable B&B has…

Can I drive this my own? No problem! After Memel, the route is mostly good gravel road. There are occasional potholes in the blacktop; so pay attention. If you have a map and a GPS with the latest software, this route is easy to follow. How far is it? After the turn-off at Memel, the route just over 300 km. The trip from Joburg and back is roughly 1 100 km. What should I drive? In the dry season, any car with proper ground clearance will do (except for the section of road to Retief's Klip). In bad weather, some of the roads can turn into skating rinks – in which case a 4x4 vehicle would be preferable (but not necessarily essential). Do I need to take extra fuel? No…

The Tshugulu 4x4 eco-route is about 13 km long as we drive it here, but there are ways you could double the distance. We, however, did the route the way the SANParks rangers told us to. Before, the route was marketed as an activity for which you had to get an extra permit. Nowadays, though, only guests of Tshugulu Lodge are allowed on it, with a few exceptions. At R1 780 per night for four people, it's not cheap to stay here, but if you consider the location, amenities, and size of the lodge – and your free access to the route – it's good value for money. Leave the lodge and drive 500 m back on the road you arrived on. Look out for the sign that sends you…

Maximum number of vehicles? There's no official number; this is determined by how many guests are staying at the lodge. Do I get a map? No. Will I scratch my vehicle? Maybe some light scratch marks you can easily polish. Do I need to take a compressor? No. Can I braai halfway? Most definitely not! Can I turn around halfway? Yes, but it's a twin-track and you don't want to tread new tracks through the veld. Is there cellphone signal? Here and there, but mostly not. Best time to go? All year round. Can I take my family along? Yes, definitely. Just for the day or the weekend? At least a weekend. How long does it take? The 4x4 route takes four to six hours, depending on how often you…