CIRCLE OF MAGIC

I’VE been fortunate to visit the Baviaanskloof on three occasions. During those visits, I’ve traversed its length almost five times; close to twice on a motor bike (long story) and thrice in a car (longer story). While it’s never been a boring ride, when my stepdaughter Ashley expressed interest in us doing it with me, I was determined to find a new angle.

I’d first heard about the Kareedouw to Baviaanskloof 4×4 route (aka the Rus en Vrede 4×4 route or Kouga-Baviaans 4×4) from seasoned travel writer Richard van Ryneveld on one of our far-too-seldom trips together. Perhaps we’d go more often if I hadn’t sold him my old hiccupping Land Rover motorhome; regardless, since then I’ve been itching to do it, either in a 4×4 or by motorbike.

With Ashley at university in Port Elizabeth, we decided to meet at a guest house in Kareedouw, overnight there together and then set off early the next morning on the 78km, grade 2 4×4 trail. Although I’ve been on a number of grade 2 trails that should have been classified as 1s, I’ve also been on plenty of grade 2s that should have been classified as 3s.

There is always an element of the unknown on 4×4 excursions, thankfully our steed of choice is the capable Isuzu MU-X, which we reckoned would be able to handle anything we threw at it.

Not known for our early starts, especially after a fairly indulgent evening the night before, we set off at around 8.30 the next morning. Ashley and boyfriend, Jacques were languishing in the MU-X’s spacious rear