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Platbank Adventures (and 4X4)

Offroad camping places
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Anthony Forgey
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Platbank Adventures (and 4X4)

#1

Post by Anthony Forgey »

I was recently given the opportunity to attend a promotional weekend at Platbank adventures. I have been there before couple of weeks earlier but only got to stay for one night. This time I spent a whole weekend and drove both trails

Platbank adventures is situated in Vaalwater, Limpopo. It's about 200 kilometers from Pretoria and about 268 kilometers from Randburg

The campsite situated next to a river and has a central thatched boma, a fireplace area and ablution facilities. The facilities are very basic but neat and quaint . Hot water is provided buy a wood fired donkey which is stoked a few times a day by site staff.

The central boma area has a storage pantry, a worktop and basin with hot and cold water for washing dishes

The fireplace has an area for making large fire as well as the surface for braaing. it also has a basin with cold water for washing dishes. The area is set in and under a grove of trees which adds to the feeling of being in the bush As well as offering some shade during the daytime.

The campsite has no power but there is water. I didn't drink the water but apparently it is OK to drink.

Lighting in the boma and ablution area is provided by LED lights powered by battery. there's no cell phone signal at the campsite but there is signal higher up the mountain if you need to make urgent calls or Facebook posts

The ablution facilities private but open air. They are neat and clean and the showers are spacious. 2 ply toilet paper was provided.

There are no formal camping spots you basically find a spot you like and camp there. some people set up in the full sun I chose to set up under a tree in a nice shady spot. There's quite a lot of shady spots.

There are 2 trails. One is a mountain trail and the other is the river trail. The mountain tail starts off with a tough uphill obstacle with lots of loose rocks and you really need to pick your line carefully. The trail goes on to wind up and around the mountain and ends back at the camp site. It took us about 3 hours to complete.

The river trail was my favourite. It offered plenty of challenges too but it was definitely more fun for me. I think you cross the river about 18 times. Some crossings are muddy but most are rock with plenty of traction. The scenery and the setting are spectacular with rising cliffs and river pools aplenty. It took about 4 hours to complete but we spent a fair bit of time stopped while we swam in the river. It was fantastic.

Here are a few links to videos of the weekend:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJtB1NPhxmw&t=6s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLJjTmujJD8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ju_NB_FlmA




their website: https://www.platbankadventures.com/
facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/platbankadventures/

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Mad Manny
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#2

Post by Mad Manny »

Thank you Anthony.
Swift has trying to get me there for ages, but it hasn't worked out.
Its definately on my wish list...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

BushWacker
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#3

Post by BushWacker »

Thanks Ant ...
... might try and stop over there
on way to , or back from Blouberg ...
... Famous Fiver VoorLoper ...
... Veni Vidi Vici ...

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Mad Manny
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#4

Post by Mad Manny »

Bushwacker, he does it on a group basis as far as I understand.
10 vehicles at R1000 ea for the weekend - all in...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

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