Day 04 & 05 - Camdeboo Park to

Mountain Zebra Park

Date: 2025-04-10 & 11
Departure From: Camdeboo National Park (Graaff-Reinet)
Departure Time: 08h06

Destination Name: Mountain Zebra National Park (Cradock)
Arrival Time: 13h00
Total Travel time: 4,54 hours

Weather:
Overcast and cool all day
Departure Temperature: 14C
Peak Temperature: 18C

Odometer Reading (km):
Start: 240 675
End: 240 961
Total Distance: 286
Includes 197km drive & 89km day drive

Passes:

Perrieshoogte Pass [Tar]
Goliatskraal Se Hoogte Pass [Tar]
Paardekloof Pass [Tar]
Elandskloof Pass [Gravel]
Wapadsberg Pass [Tar]

Elands Kloof - Many Sunday River crossings

Trip Summary:

I woke up at 05h50 and peaked out of the tent window to see the weather. The sky was overcast with dark clouds and it was a balmy 14C. After packing up, Mike, Daleen and I said farewells and were looking forward to our gathering again at Uitspan in the Baviaanskloof.

I headed north along the N9 and Mike headed south-west for Western Cape. After about 24km I turned east onto a gravel road and travelled through Elands Kloof along which the Sundays River flows. This river brings forth childhood memories as it is the same river that passes near Hermiston farm that my parents owned in Addo. As I turned off onto the gravel road, I saw an old man climb over the fence. I stopped and asked if I could help. His name was Jaffe and he was going to visit his son on a farm in the Elands Kloof. I made space in my vehicle and he hopped in. He used to work on the farm in his youth and told some interesting stories of the area.

The Elands Kloof route took me through the Glen Harry Private Nature Reserve where I saw wildebeest, ostriches, meercats and impala. I had to open & close at least 6 farm gates and cross the Sundays River at least 10 times. Luckily the level had droppped that made it very easy. An old railway line also follows this route with a couple of old railway sidings that were still in-tact (buildings and equipment had not been vandalized)

Glen Harry Entrance Gate which is on a public road and therefore open

Elands Kloof

Elands Kloof - Railway Bridge across Sundays River

Elands Kloof - Letskraal Railway siding with house and storage barn

I stopped at Cradock to refuel before heading to the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP). The distance from the main MZNP entrance gate to Reception is about 12km. The scenary and game I saw gave a very good first impression. After checking in, I went to the camp site and selected my site which I marked as "occupied". I then headed off for the first game drive.

Springbuck on the grassy plains as you drive to the camp site

The route took me up the Kranskop ravine/kloof in which there are a number picnic sites to stop and relax. As I approached the end of the kloof, the road wound up the mountain to the very top with spectacular views of both sides of the mountain. I was very surprised to come accross a Cheetah on top of the mountain. After travelling along the top of the mountain, the road descends onto a lovely grassy plateau with a wonderful view of herds of game scattered across the plateau. At first glance, you do not notice the large numbers. I stopped my vehicle and used my binoculars to get a closer view. There were hundreds of animals of different species, namely, Zebra, Red Hartebees, Wilderbeest, Eland, Springbuck, Jackal, Gemsbok and Blesbok. WHAT AN AWESOME SITE.

From the plateau, there is another steep descent to the lower grassy plains and bushveld. I saw Kudu, Steenbok, Bushpig, Baboon, Vervet Monkeys, Ostriches, Grey Rhebok and Ground Squirrels.

Male Cheetah on top of the mountain

The last turn along Kranskop kloof before heading up the mountain

From the top looking down at Kranskop kloof

On my way back to camp, I felt really blessed to be in such a beautiful country.

View of the Plateau from the top - It was teaming with game

Day 02:

I departed at 07h45 for a morning game drive to see sections of the park that I had not yet covered.

The route took me back onto the plateau and along different roads. I saw the same variety of game as the previous day, except for the Cheetah. The beauty still amazed me.

View from the plateau with the morning mist below

I returned to camp and stopped at the Reception Shop to buy some water. I noticed a young couple hovering around their V8 4500 Land Cruiser. I asked if there was a problem and they indicated their vehicle has a fuel leak from one of the 2 tanks. They were going to drive to Cradock to see if they could have it repaired. They are French and their names are Nicolas and Manon.

Nicolas and Manon returned from Cradock and setup camp next to me. Toyota in Cradock could not repair the leak as it was an after-market fitment. It appears "'n Boer maak 'n plan" (farmer makes a plan) mentality to fix this did not exist in Cradock. They would stop using the 2nd tank to avoid further leakage and would repair it on their return to Cape Town.

At my office working on my WEB site - Photo by Nicolas Debonne

While sitting and relaxing a small Ford Figo drove past and the rear tyre was flat. I jumped up to inform the driver but I was too slow. They returned about 15min later and Nicolas stopped them and informed them of the flat tyre. They were a group of 2 female and 2 male French students from George, South Africa, where they were studying. The vehicle belonged to one of the females and the 2 males were not at the camp site at the time. The driver was very quick to get the spare tyre and jack out, but struggled undoing the wheel nuts. I helped them and within 20min the spare tyre was fitted.

Accommodation: [Camping] Mountain Zebra National Park

The reception and camp site facilities were in very good condition. Each site has a bench and table, electrical point and 1 water tap to share amongst 4 camp sites. Some sites included a paved area, while others were gravel. The sites were a good size, however there is no privacy barrier between the sites which does not bother me.

There was no laundry room with laundry machines.

The game park includes a number of 4x4 routes, however all the entrances were blocked off due to the recent rains.

Reception, Shop & Restaurant