ChrisTOUR 2024 Namaqua Weskus Trip

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
A group of us did a trip from 26 April to 5 May incorporating the Weskus & the Namaqua area

Friday 26 April: Day One: 535km JHB - Mattanu Lodge Barkley West:
Alison & I in her new Scorpio N met up with Andreas (Patrol towing a Metalian & Mike in his Pajero Sport at Potch Mooi River Mall.
We then drove in Convoy to Mattanu Lodge where we met our Tour Guide Christo (Land Cruiser S/Cab).
The drive down was uneventful. The Lodge is nice with good ablutions & a great braai area with a fantastic view of the sunset.
The Gautengenese enjoyed seeing the stars so clear & bright.

Saturday 27 April: Day Two: 730km Barkley West to Calvinia:
This was to be the long haul. 9 hours with wind & occasional rain, partially on dirt roads.
We arrived at Klien Plasie, the ablutions were nice but the 'camp site' was basically a parking lot.
The wind was howling. We realised a braai was out & headed into Calvinia to Celia's Pizza.
I think we ordered a few too many Jaeger's becaiuse they had to rush out & go fetch another bottle.
The food was great (well my Pizza certainly was!).
The wind howled all night & an old disused windmill took major strain through the night.
Nevertheless - I slept very well - maybe it was the Jaegers!

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report

Sunday 28 April: Day Three: 180km Calvinia to Tankwa Tented Camp:
This was supposed to be a short drive, so we took it easy.
We popped into Hantam Huis for a lovely breakfast in a very quaint building, part museum, part haberdashery/historical building. worth a visit.
We drove via Middle Pos down the stunning Gannaga Pass to the Tankwa Camp.

This is the same weekend that the Afrika Burn (Burning Man) event is held, as a result we could not stay in Steenkamps Hoek in the Tankwa National Park (fully booked).
We drove through the Tankwa to the Tankwa Tented Camp which was the site of the Afrika Burn in previous years.

I read their Website & read the description on Lekkerslaap & other booking portals as well as many reviews, assuch I was looking forward to our stay.
Unfortunately, unless you are a spaced out hippy, who uses phrases like 'Don't harsh my mellow' Tankwa Tented Camp is a bit of a dump.
Strange that there is no indication on the sites & on reading the reviews that the place is crappy. The water in the taps even has a 'poorly recycled' smell to it.

As we were settling in two huge Iveco Campers full of Buiterlanders pulled in & parked uncomfortable close to us.
But they, like everyone else, were quiet, polite & friendly.

Anyhoo, we had a lekker braai and made the best of it. Alley took a chalet due to the wind & we all based ourselves around that.

Monday 29 April: Day Four: 403km* Tankwa Tented Camp to De Pakhuis in the Cederberge (outside Clanwilliam):
Today was supposed to be a 4 hour 165km trip, but adventure struck & it turned into a 403km 9 hour long day.
The type of day that memories are made of...

More later/...

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
Monday 29 April: Day Four: 403km* Tankwa Tented Camp to De Pakhuis in the Cederberge (outside Clanwilliam):
Today was supposed to be a 4 hour 165km trip, but adventure struck & it turned into a 403km 9 hour long day.
The type of day that memories are made of...

Before I continue, just some scene setting;
All the drivers are vastly experienced overlanders, Christo in the 79, Andreas in the Patrol & Mike in the Paj Sport have done plenty overlanding in Southern Africa.
Alley in the stock Mahindra has driven from Chartwell 4Ways to Chartwell UK in a Landy.
I'll tell you guys about the Mahindra later in a seperate Thread.

So we leave Tankwa & there are 3 possible routes to Clanwilliam, we chose the shortest one.
Also important to note, that although the Tankwe Karoo is dry & arid that entire area recently recieved a LOT of rain, it was dry, but you could see evidence of the recent rains.

Anyhoo after a hour or two of driving, stopping many times to open & close farm gates we come across a river, flowing strongly.
This is a problem. We send Christo across, although you can't see them, the river is strewn with boulders from soccer ball size to beach ball size.
The Cruiser makes it, but at times his front number plate or his rear lights were under water.

We call Christo back. There is no way the stock Mahindra will make it without sustaining some damage, the Patrol will make it, but the Metalian may struggle.
The Paj Sport will probably make it.
We decide to turn back.
W

BTW as we thought we'd be done by lunch I didn't pack much padkos, luckily for me Mike had some lovely fillet strips & Tzatziki. He was none too pleased when I ate half of it!

Having decided not to risk crossing the river we head back nearly all the way to Tankwa, opening & closing the gates again, before turning left, up a steep pass & towards Calvinia.
Just before reaching the tar Christo loses his Lt Rear tyre.
While Christo & I change the tyre, Andreas & Alley head into Calvinia to refuel & pump tyres.
They return and the convoy rolls on again.
We are now on tar & head towards Clanwilliam.

We are all tired (the drivers more than the passengers), a 9 hour day mostly on bad dirt roads.

It's late afternoon as we drive through a very Picture is Skew Clanwilliam & equally picturesque mountain passes to De Pakhuis.

We arrive in the fading light, the camp area under the Bluegums is tight & there are other campers & people in the little chalets.
It's like a backpacker, hiker, mountain climber spot.
We decide to head into the vast open camp area, far from everyone, but far from the ablutions and power points.

We braai, the meal that night was one of the best on the trip. I take a hike to the showers & hit the sack. A long hard day behind us.

The next day is a rest day, the first morning we dont have to get up, pack up & move on out...

More later/...

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
Tuesday 30 April: Day Five REST DAY: 230km* De Pakhuis in the Cederberge (outside Clanwilliam):
Being a rest day we got up latish, I made coffee & we eventually headed into Clanwilliam for Breakfast.

Christo went in search of a new tyre, the Tyre Mart in Clanwilliam is the only tyre shop & he didn't have stock (16" AT Tyres are becoming rare).

We popped past Tyre Mart to check on Christo then headed Velskoendraai Farmstall for a nice breakfast.
From there it was back over the pass to Wupperthal. I've always wanted to see the town, but there is actually not much too see.
We were also supposed to go to Maltese Cross etc, but we were all a bit road wary.

Then it was back to Clanwilliam for a late lunch/early dinner.

The Clanwilliam area really is stunning.

Christo had phoned everywhere - no one had a 265/70 16" BFG, so he went back to Tyre Mart & he ordered one, to be couriered in the next morning (Wednesday 1 May - Public Holiday)

Tuesday was an early night.

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
Wednesday 1 May: Day Six: 363km De Pakhuis in the Cederberge to Boulders Campsite in the Namaqua National Park:

Sleeping arrangements: I slept in Andreas' BunduTop on his Metalian, Andreas in the Bundutop on his Patrol, Mike has an RTT on his Paj Sport, Christo & Karin in their TentCo RTT on the Cruiser & Alley Ground tented in a small pop up.

We went into Clanwilliam, Christo had his new tyre all sorted, we did some shopping and headed out.

We stopped in (Place Name Escapes Me) at the Good Cafe for coffee & a Pie & then pressed on.
Eventually leaving the tar at Garies where we filled up. From Garies the roads to the Namaqua NP are poor.
At the gate we deflated & drove in, we stopped at the seals, there were hundreds, the pups are cute, but by God those beasts stink!

We got to camp. There were 6 C shaped bomas, with the openings facing the only direction the wind doesnt blow from. No showers or water but Eco toilets.

It was very windy & chilly, we ate & had an early-ish nite.

The night sky there was truly spectacular.

[Dirk Schubert]

Thanks for the great report, interesting reading.
Clanwilliam area is pretty. I bought veldskoene made in Wuppertal and enjoyed listening to the Rhenish brass band practising. One heck of a drive in and out..

[Mad Manny]

I'm only on day 6, still days 7, 8, 9 and 10 to come.

Then a summary of the highs and lows and what I would, now, with hindsight, change.
I'll try finish it during this week then post photos.


I'm sure the other guys will also contribute....

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
Thursday 2 May: Day Seven 129km Boulders Campsite in Namaqua National Park to De Houthoop:
We got up late as today was an easy day, but first we had to tackle the thick sand inside the Namaqua NP, the Mahindra did VERY well.
We all had a look at the Klip that gave the town it's name & NONE of use could see a Dog, it looked more like a frog.
I suppose Hondeklip Baai sounds better that Paddaklip Baai...
We had lunch & watched the fishermen bring in their meager catches. One boat only brought in 3 Snoek.

The Calamari strips at the Restaurant were fantastic, Calamari in Gauteng just doesn't taste the same.
All of us, except Christo & Karin, had light lunches, knowing what awaited us. Christo & Karin regretted their platters later...
Hopefully one of the others will remember the Restaurants name, it was something like Bier en Kreef...

Then it was off to De Houthoop. I found it funny that thier Website advertises camping on "lush green lawns" ? lush green lawns in a desert? Unlikely.
We arrived. The campsite is sand. But we were the only ones there & the ablutions were very nice.

We had a relaxing afternoon, caught up on showering & admin then sat in the shade & had a beer or two before heading for dinner.

The Pub works on a 'Honesty Bar' system, I appointed Spiros The Greek as barman, he is clearly not a barman, and we had a drink or two before being called for dinner. Believe it or not, we could find no Brannas in the bar!?!

Andreas had eaten there before & warned us that the Buffet food is next level - he was NOT wrong!
A outstanding Mussel soup, then chicken stirfry, snoek, salads etc. etc. What a feast!!!
Damn that food was good!

Maagie vol, I had a great nights rest....

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
Friday 3 May: Day Eight 401km De Houthoop to De Mas @ Kakemas:

After coffee & a shower we packed up. While waiting for the womenfolk Christo, Andreas & I were chatting.
Christo's Cruiser was idling (that Cruiser was always idling, think he was scared the battery would go pap! ).
Anyway, on the farm was a 45 year old Isuzu Bakkie standing a short way away, Christo had his back to it so he didn't see them start it & leave it idling.
Now Christo has a hearing aid in one ear & his battery was a bit pap (maybe he thought the Cruiser charged it when it idles - who knows!)
The Isuzu had a nasty Tappit Clap. Andreas says to Christo "Christo, luister, jou Cruiser maak n geraas"
Christo turns, hears the noise & gets a fright, thinking his V6 Cruiser engine was kaput. Then he realised it was the Isuzu.
Damn! you had to be there, but that was kak funny!

We then headed off in convoy for the nicest drive of the trip.

We drove through the small town of Kamaggans, 3100 inhabitants, then up the Spektakle Pass as Christo told us the history of the area & how the pass got it's name & about the diamond mines etc.
These are the days that make one long for trips like these.

We arrived at De Mas in Kakkemas, it was a bit windy & we agreed that if the campsite was not suitable we'd look for lodging.
Mike had already said he'd take a chalet as he had to leave early the next morning.

Fortunately, the campsite @ De Mas was lovely, nice green lawn & right on the banks of the Orange River. The ablutions were probably the best we'd had on the trip.

We had dinner at the Restaurant - everyone seemed to enjoy the food.

We capped the evening off with a Marula 'Dom Pedro'...

Lekker day.

We had one last laugh, driving back to the campsite we found the big sliding gate had been closed.
Andreas and I were 3rd (Mike had left much earlier - he has the same bedtime as a 8 year old), Christo was in front with Alley behind him.
As a result, Andreas & I couldn't really see the gate.
So there were a few minutes where we were all queued up at this closed gate.
I mentioned that, unless there is a gate motor, they should see if they couldn't just slide it open.
Karin was trying to phone them to open the gate when Andreas walked up & just opened it.

Karin needs a Stafdop for that one!!!

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
Saturday 4 May: Day Nine 484km De Mas @ Kakemas to Kameelboom Lodge in Vryberg:

Background: Sout van die Aarde:
If you are lucky, every now and then in life you meet a "Sout van die Aarde" person.
Christo is such a person. He is rock solid. Reliable.
Christo doesn't choose his camp spot until everyone else has chosen theirs.
Christo will be ready to leave at 06:30, but will wait patiently until 08:30 when the others are ready.
It takes some getting used to, that's how accommodating he is.

Christo lives in Kathu, which is not far from Kakemas, yet he booked the final night in Vryberg.
Now if you don't know the geography, this meant Christo drove past Kathu, where he lives, all the way to Vryberg for the last night.
Then the next morning he drove all the way back to Kathu.
All just so we would have an easy last leg.
People like Christo are like an honest politician - a rare find.

Anyhoo, we drove to Vryberg, checked in, had dinner, said goodbye to our hosts Christo & Karin and then went to bed.
Christo was gone by the time we woke up.

We then found out Christo had ordered us breakfast.
We had breakfast & headed home.

The End...

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
Highs Lows & General Observations:
It was a great trip.
We traveled about 3600km
52 hours driving time (including stops idling)

Low lites?
The only real disappointment was Tankwa Tented Camp,
But all the sites & their website & all the reviews were positive.
In hindsight we should have skipped it, but I've always wanted to see the Tankwa.
Had our trip not been at the same time as Afrika Burn (Burning Man) we would have found space in the Tankwa NP.
But that clash was unavoidable.
Also, skipping Tankwa woul;d have meant skipping the Ganagga Pass & that was really a breath taking drive.

The people on the trip?
Well you couldn't ask for better. Everyone one was considerate & accommodating.
There were no complaints, everyone got on & looked out for one another.

The vehicles?
Other than Christos puncture & some mildly high temps on a hot day with slight headwinds in the Bits of Sushi Pagero, no problems whatsoever.

Highlites?
Too many to mention:
The food.
Ganagga Pass
The other passes (like Blouberg) we did 4 or 5 in total.
Calvinia
Clanwilliam
Wuperthal
Hondeklip baai
The seals
The stars
Camping on the coast
The drive from De Houthoop to Kakemas.
TyreMart Clanwilliam for going the extra mile to get Christos tyre - fitting it on a Public Holiday noggal.

Thank yous?
Firstly to Christo & Karin for everything
To Andreas for bringing his Metalian so I could sleep in the Bundutop - pure luxurly.
To Mike & Alley, such easy going travel companions.

Photos next...

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
Photos:

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
More Photos:

[Mad Manny]

Christour 2024 Trip Report
Even More Photos:

[Anthony Forgey]

Sounds like quite the adventure! Quite a lot of driving though!