Our Hilux4x4
Club went to Boegoeberg
4x4 for a weekend out.
We were 11
Hiluxes and two Isuzus. This was one of the best trips we had
so far and one of the best routes I drove up to date.
Boegoeberg
offers 20 camping sites, some self catering units, a guest house,
lapa, 4×4 trail and spectacular views.
It is about
20Km from Clanwilliam and 18Km from Graafwater.
There are
no formal hiking and mountain biking trails but you are allowed
to walk on the 4×4 routes and on the farm. The view from
the route is spectacular. There is enough gravel roads and 4×4
trails to keep a muntain biker busy for most of the weekend.
I went there
early on the Friday morning. I wanted to enjoy the quietness before
everybody else arrived (they were still at work). After I pitched
my tent and unpacked I decided to go on a short hike. I saw a
pair of Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle (Witkruisarend) on one
of the cliffs. According to the owner, Sybrie de Beer, there is
another pair close to one of the rustic camps.
At the camping
site you can relax in a big swimming pool. There are clean hot
showers and flush toilets. The hot water comes from a “Donkey”
.


At the camp
sites you will have to choose between having grass on your camp
site or camping under nice big trees. The grass does not grow
under the big trees, thus you cannot have both.

There are
spring water taps at some of the camping sites and the camping
sites share some mobile braais.
There is a
communal braai and lapa for big groups. The lapa also came in
handy when it started to rain on our first night. There are two
fire places, tables and chairs inside the lapa.

In the lapa
is a shop which sells wood, ice, sweets, cold drinks and all the
little ods and ends your normally forgot when you packet for the
camp. You can even order freshly baked farm bread or “roosterkoek”
if you feel like it. Please note that you must order this in time,
they do not keep it in stock.
The 4×4
routes vary between a upper 3 and lower 4 grading. I would suggest
that novices do not try this route on their own. If you go with
experienced 4×4 drivers you will be able to do the route.
It is a well maintained route and if you know what you are doing
you will not damage your vehicle, unless of course if your vehicle
are fitted with those silly aluminium side steps. If you have
a soft 4×4 you might loose some tupperware. Your vehicle
MUST have low range, high ground clearance and a diff-lock just
makes it so much easier.

This is one
of the best routes I drove so far. You can see Clanwilliam, Lambertsbaai
and even Klein Tafelberg when on the route. There are some scary
parts and enough challenges for those who seek some adventure.
As I said before, if you are not an experienced 4×4'er,
do not try this one on your own.
While on the
route you will find one rugged little house and one rugged camping
site.
The house
at “Buurman se gat” is about 2.5km from the base camp.
It is a stone house build behind a huge rock. It can sleep six
people. There is an long drop toilet and cold shower. No running
water and no electricity. All you will find here is peace, quiet,
stars, spectacular view and perhaps you will even find your soul
here. (see pictures below)

At “Die
Kliphuis” camp which is about 5km from the base camp you
have the luxury of a hot (donkey powered) shower, flushing toilets
but you have to pitch your tent for the night. I would highly
recommend this camp for those who would like to get away from
it all.


On the second
day we went to play on the sand banks of the river. The banks
were washed away with the previous flood and made for some adrenelain
filled moments.

Over weekends
you can also order a prepared meal. This normally includes a starter,
so meat for main course with 2 salads and freshly baked bread
and fresh jam. If you go in a big group (15 or more vehicles)
you can also order a spit braai for the evening. If the group
is big enough Sybrie will sponsor the sheep and you only pay for
the salads and bread.
Die boerseuns
(en dames) onder ons kan selfs Avfal bestel indien jy dit vroegtydig
doen.
All and all
the camping site, facilities and 4×4 route are all well
maintained. The host is very friendly and helpful and has a good
knowledge about the plants and animals in the area. It was a pleasure
to visit Boegoeberg and I will definitely return, perhaps next
time it would be a week long stay at one of the rustic camps.
To
book your spot at this popular camping site give Sybrie or Julize
a call on
Telephone
Number +27 (0)27 482-2933
Fax Number +27 (0)27 482-2933
Cellphone Number +27 (0)83 632-2634
