Baviaanskloof water levels after the May rains — eastern section condition report
Went through last Easter weekend in a Toyota Fortuner. Here is the full report.
The eastern section has 23 river crossings. We checked the Smitskraal depth before entering — it was sitting at 380mm which is easy enough. The 17th crossing near Doodsklip is the one that catches people — rocky bottom with a slight camber that wants to push you downstream. Walk it before you drive it. Permits at the Poortjies gate cost R20 per person per day, cash or card.
Camping: Doodsklip campsite is brilliant — flat spots for roof tents, cold ablutions, braai area. Book through CapeNature.
Fuel: filled up in the last town before the turn-off. Diesel consumption was around 11L/100km on the technical sections — budget for higher than your tar road figure. We carried 36L spare in jerry cans.
The solitude is unlike anything else in SA. Happy to answer any questions from people planning this route.
5 Replies
> Went through last Easter weekend in a Toyota Fortuner. Here is the full report.
>
> The eastern section has 23 river crossings. We checked the Smitskraal depth before entering — it was sitting at 380mm which is easy enough. The 17th crossing near Doodsklip is the one that catches people — rocky bottom with a slight camber that wants to push you downstream. Walk it before you drive it. Permits at the Poortjies gate cost R20 per person per day, cash or card.
>
> Camping: Doodsklip campsite is brilliant — flat spots for roof tents, cold ablutions, braai area. Book through CapeNature.
>
> Fuel: filled up in the last town before the turn-off. Diesel consumption was around 11L/100km on the technical sections — budget for higher than your tar road figure. We carried 36L spare in jerry cans.
>
> The solitude is unlike anything else in SA. Happy to answer any questions from people planning this route.
> — surika_hugo
Went through this one last April and our experience was similar. The rocky section on the approach was also the part that got our attention. What tyre pressures were you running? We found 1.3bar front and rear worked well on that surface.
— deon_kotze
Nice one, surika. Did you do the shortcut via the farm road? We skipped it last time and regretted it. Adding it to the plan for our next trip.
Good write-up. One thing to add from our trip there — the campsite booking process has changed since the last reports I read. You now need to book the campsite online before arrival — walk-ins are restricted on weekends.
Good write-up. One thing to add from our trip there — the permit system has changed since the last reports I read. The eastern approach road had some flood damage last season — the first 8km takes longer than T4A suggests.
Went through last Easter weekend in a Toyota Fortuner. Here is the full report.
The eastern section has 23 river crossings. We checked the Smitskraal depth before entering — it was sitting at 380mm which is easy enough. The 17th crossing near Doodsklip is the one that catches people — rocky bottom with a slight camber that wants to push you downstream. Walk it before you drive it. Permits at the Poortjies gate cost R20 per person per day, cash or card.
Camping: Doodsklip campsite is brilliant — flat spots for roof tents, cold ablutions, braai area. Book through CapeNature.
Fuel: filled up in the last town before the turn-off. Diesel consumption was around 11L/100km on the technical sections — budget for higher than your tar road figure. We carried 36L spare in jerry cans.
The solitude is unlike anything else in SA. Happy to answer any questions from people planning this route.
— surika_hugo
Went through this one last April and our experience was similar. The rocky section on the approach was also the part that got our attention. What tyre pressures were you running? We found 1.3bar front and rear worked well on that surface.
Went through this one during the June long weekend and our experience was similar. The rocky section on the approach was also the part that got our attention. What tyre pressures were you running? We found 1.6bar front and rear worked well on that surface.