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Date: 2025/04/16 & 17
Departure From: Mvubu Camp (Addo Elephant National Park)
Departure Time: 07h30
Destination Name: Karoo National Park (Beaufort West)
Arrival Time: 16h30
Total Travel time: 9 hours
Weather:
Overcast
Departure Temperature: 17C
Peak Temperature: 23C
Odometer Reading (km):
Start: 241 507
End: 242 051
Total Distance: 544
Includes 392km drive & 152km day drives
Passes:
Passes:
Bedrogfontein Pass - 4x4 Route [Gravel]
Charles Pass [Gravel]
Klipspringer Pass [Tar]
Trip Summary:
Trip Summary:
I woke up to a Lion sleeping 20m from my vehicle
I woke up and checked my surroundings from my Rooftop Tent. This is standard practice when bush camping to make sure it was safe. The sun was still behind the mountains so it was not yet light. I saw a male Lion lying in the grass about 20m from the vehicle. I s#@4t myself.
Then I thought, "there should be no Lion in this section of the park". I made some noise and there was no movement. I decided to take a photo so I could zoom in to get a better view. Guess what .... anthill.
It is wierd how the mind plays tricks on you as one needs to take extra precautions while bush camping in a Game Park.
The day's drive started with a steep ascent up the mountain. Looking back, I could see the bush camp site far below. Wow ... what a view!
Just before summiting the mountain, a large gate blocked the road. I opened the gate but it would not remain open so I had no way of driving through. Eventually I removed my belt to secure the gate to a pole.
When I reached the summit of the mountain, I had ascended into the clouds and it was much cooler.
Belt used to Keep Gate Open
View of the Bushcamp site
Mountain summit - Mist blocked the view below
Originally, I thought I had reached the mountain top the previous day. The 4x4 route started with a steep climb along a very rocky road that was overgrown with shrubs and grass along the middle of the road. As I ascended into the misty peaks of the Zuurberg mountains, I realized I had only reached about 30% of the mountain climb the previous day. The previous day I climbed from 180m to 478m. Today I climbed to 864m. The vegetation had changed from thick bushveld to Vynbos. The 4x4 route joins the gravel road that passes the Darlington Dam (Lake Mentz).
The mountain pass into the Karoo
Descending the mountain pass
Descending into the Valley below
The 4x4 route, through the Kabouga section of the Addo Elephant National Park, over the Zuurberg mountains to Darlington Dam in the Little Karoo, is slow. This 4x4 route is categorised as a Grade 3. I previosuly did this route in 2003. The SANParks Honorary Rangers recently did maintenance along the Pass which made life a lot easier. Refer to SANPark web site for more interesting information and a bit of history.
Based on 4x4 Africa, a Grade 3 4x4 trail is defined as:
Driver Skills Required:
While grade 3 trails generally do not require expert off-road driving skills, some off-road driving experience is highly advisable, if not actually required, since grade 3 trails could include thick sand, deep mud, gradients with loose surfaces, and even water crossings.
Recommended Vehicles:
Grade 3 tails should only be attempted with proper 4×4 vehicles fitted with low range, since the obstacles on these trails usually include steep gradients with loose surfaces, rocky sections, thick sand, deep mud, and particularly hill starts, which is something that vehicles without low range cannot cope with.
The Bedrogfontein pass is about 36km long and took a total of 4 hours to travel (excluding stops). It takes one through valleys and mountain tops, so you get to see natural forests, the geology, fauna & flora of the region.
I exited the Addo Elephant National Park where the gravel road joins the R75. I continued along a gravel road to Jasenville and joined the R337 to Klipplaat. After about 1km after Klipplaat I turned north onto a gravel road that took me to the R338. I crossed the R388 and continued along the gravel road to Aberdeen. From Aberdeen, the Karoo got drier the more West I drove . The region had experienced heavy rains and this was evident in the wash-aways on the gravel roads, full farm dams and green vegetation. From Aberdeen I took the R61 to Beaufort West and on to the Karoo National Park (KNP) 11km away. I stopped at the Rooidam Farm Stall to strech my legs before heading to Beaufort West.
Farm Road through the Karoo Landscape
Farm Road through the Karoo
Rooidam Farm Stall along the R61
Day 02 in the Karoo National Park (KNP)
Day 02 in the Karoo National Park (KNP)
When I previously camped in the KNP many years ago, I did not have an opportunity to take a game drive. I was therefore very keen to see as much as possible. I left camp at 07h00, it was a cool 9C, overcast and mist capped the mountain tops.
I took the Potlekkertjie loop and branched off onto the 4x4 route near the Doornhoek picnic site. I continued along the Nuweveld loop through Charlies Pass, along the Afsaal loop trail and joined the Potlekkertjie loop. I continued along the loop to Doornhoek picnic site. The route takes one through the stunning Klipspringer's Pass.
Besides the stunning scenery that distracts your attention, there were large herds of Eland along with herds of Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Mountain Zebra, Gemsbok, Kudu and many sightings of the lonely Ostriches, Jackal, Klipspringers and Steenbok.
After the game drive, I stopped off at the camp site to enjoy a light snack before driving through the Lammertjies Leegte section. I stopped off to view the pretty Bulkraal picnic and swimming area. I then continued to Beaufort West to refuel and stockup on groceries in preparation for Baviaanskloof.
Misty Capped Mountains
4x4 Route
Rooivalle Lookout onto the falls
Klipspringer's Pass
During my previous visit to the park, we enjoyed a terrific dinner in the restaurant and I was hoping to re-experience this. I walked the 1.2km from the camp site to the restaurant and sat in the elegant lounge area and waited for the dining room to open. During my first visit, the dining room chairs and tables were made from beautiful Yellow wood and Embuie wood which created a wonderful impression and set the tone of quality. The current dinner tables are very far from this and I was very disappointed. They appeared to be painted pine wood tables and chairs. I ordered Lamb chops .... this was the worst meal I had experienced on this adventure .... I was disappointed.
Restaurant Lounge
Restaurant Dining Room
The Karoo National Park (KNP) chalets, offices and camp sites are located in a beautiful setting in the Karoo landscape. The campsites are positioned about 1km West of the Reception / Restaurant, near the Interpretive Centre. There are number of walking trails within the protected area of the accommodation that includes an interesting Fossil Trail.
The campsites include electricity, water and paved slab to setup your tent or caravan. The facilities are good and includes ablutions and a kitchen. The Laundry room does not include washing machines, but large basins. While everthing was in good working order and the buildings look pretty, maintenance is needed.
Camp Site Ablutions
Camp Site
Chalets
The Route:
The Route:
Places Travelled:
Jansenville
Klipplaat
Aberdeen
Beaufort West
Karoo National Park 4x4 and Game Drive (114 km)
Karoo National Park - Lammertjies Leegte Drive (42 km)
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