Date: 2025/04/19
Departure From: Duiwekloof Lodge Campsite (Baviaanskloof)
Departure Time: 08h30
Destination Name: Uitspan Campsite (Baviaanskloof)
Arrival Time: 10h50
Total Travel time: 2:20hours
Weather:
Clear blue skies
Departure Temperature: 8C
Peak Temperature: 28C
Odometer Reading (km):
Start: 242 289
End: 242 335
Total Distance: 46
Includes 40km detour to BaviJAANs Farm Stall
None
I woke up to a fresh morning of 8C and clear blue skies. Mike and Daleen were joining me later at Uitspan. I decided to do the Leopards Trail to boost my energy for the day, which is only 850m and considered easy. At first I struggled to find the starting point. The circular loop up the hill includes a number of rest benches en route to admire the beautiful views. There is a dam on the trail to allow walkers to cool down on hot days. The trail me took 20min.
For a great perspective of Baviaanskloof, view the YouTube Video Cape2Kruger on Tracks4Africa.
View from Duiwekloof Leopards Trail
Instead of taking the 7km gravel road to Uitpsan in the West, I decided to take the road to BaviJAANS Farmstall in the East for breakfast. The farmstall was a hive of activity with 4x4 traveller's and adventure bikers. I spent a while chatting to people and confirming the condition of the route eastwards through the Nature Reserve.
During breakfast, I met Augustine from Portugal on a Yamaha Tenure 700, Richard on a Honda 125 and Zeely on a Honda 200 who were riding eastwards through the rest of Baviaanskloof today. Augustine was apprehensive about the trip, even though he had ridden all the way down the West Coast of Africa. Everyone assured him that it was do-able. Richard and Zeely confirmed they would help him through the challenging water crossing sections.
After breakfast I headed West to Uitspan.
BaviJAANs Farmstall - The Social Gathering Point
I previously camped at Uitspan with my brother in 2011 during our Southern Africa Adventure Tour. The camp was busy when I arrived at 10h50. Nico, the owner, directed me to camp site 3C under large trees. All the camp sites have large trees. Mike & Daleen were only going to arrive at about 15h00, so I setup camp and hiked along the stream all the way up the ravine. The hike was 4.6km and took 2 hours. There is a signiticant drop in temperature as you enter the ravine as the sun does not reach the ground due to the high ravine walls and the trees and ferns. Most of the hike requires carefull footwork along the river bed. Some sections included crystal clear flowing water with clear pools of cold water while other sections were dry river beds, as the water disappears underground and re-appears further along. Some sections included walking along poles to get accross an obstacle or using a steel cable to pull yourself up / down a difficult section.
When I returned back at camp at about 15h00, Mike and Daleen had arrived and already setup camp. The rest of the camp appeared to be full of campers.
Our Campsite at 3C
Uitspan -Ravine Trail
Uitspan -Steel cable to climb a section
This is a popular campsite as it is one of the first campsites when entering Baviaanskloof from the West. There must have been at least 30 to 40 people at the camp.
Next time, I would like to secure campsite 1 at the start of the kloof trail. It is separate from the rest of the campsites with it's own lapa and ablutions. However, it is located near the dam that includes a fuffie cable slide that attracts adventurous noisy people who enjoy this activity. It was too cold for me to attempt it.
There are a number of neat and well maintained ablutions spread across the camp site. Each camp sites includes an electricity plug and water tap.
As the camp is on a working farm, one can wonder around and look at the farm implements. Nico showed me some of the items he built from scrap materials and also the 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser that he was almost finished doing a full restoration - Really great workmanship.
Uitspan - You cannot miss the entrance sign
The fuffie slide near camp 1
Uitspan - Ablutions
Uitspan - Swimming Pool
Duiwekloof - Leopards Trail Hike (850m)
Uitspan - Kloof Trail Hike (4.6km return trip)