4x4 Action Group

Source Tree Lodge & 4x4 Heritage weekend trail

This is a scouting weekend for 4x4 Action Group, we will be on a guided route, farmers are opening up more area for 4x4's, some rocky , sand , water, and riverbed driving.
This is new territory and I believe more will follow.

When?:
Friday 23 October -Sun 25 Oct 2020. Travel and arrive on the Friday, 4x4 on Saturday and return Sunday.

Where?:
Source Tree Lodge & 4x4 Heritage weekend trail, Nelspruit area, 25km outside Nelspruit on the Malelane road.


Accommodation is available at Source Tree Lodge.
Chalets: There are 2 chalets sleeping 4 persons each and 2 sleeping 2 persons on queen beds and single beds. Cost is R450/p/n.
Africa House: A 14 sleeper house with 2x 5 sleeper rooms and 2x 2 sleeper rooms. All beds are single beds. Each room has its own bathroom. There is a communal kitchen facility in the house. Cost is R350/p/n.
Camping: 6x rustic camping stands with hot water but no electricity are available. 2 of the stands are big enough for a large off-road trailer/caravan setup. Cost is R100/stand/night and R50/p/n.
ALL ACCOMMODATION IS SELF CATERING. Kitchen and braai facilities are available. There are several large and well stocked shopping centres available in Nelspruit 25km from the Lodge.
Special braai packs/game meat can be arranged from Rhino Hill butchery for some delicious local meat.
Participants need to provide their own refreshments and lunches during the day. Fires are not available for lunch on Saturday as we are in a highly vulnerable area.
The lodge has a bar, however, you are welcome to bring your own drinks.


What 4x4'ing?:
Driver's meeting at 08:00 to 08:30. Indemnities are signed and the day is explained.
At 08:30 the group leaves and completes the 1.4km obstacle trail located close to the lodge to assess driver's skill and vehicle capabilities.
At 10:30 the group will set off on the farm to complete as many of the 11 obstacle trails as possible. The group might be split depending on vehicle capabilities for short periods of time to allow more capable vehicles to drive see of the rougher obstacles. This will be applicable for every day of driving.
At around 13:30 the group will return to the lodge and have lunch.
At 14:30 the group departs again to complete the day's driving.
After the driving is done everyone with get together on one of the Sundowner spots and enjoy the sun going down over some well deserved drinks.


Cost?:
The Trail is R250 per vehicle

What Now?:
You calculate your costs, pay the amount into the Club account using the reference ref: Source tree Martindj.
Camping for two R400 plus R250.00 route = R650.00, per weekend,


"Camping: 6x rustic camping stands with hot water but no electricity are available. 2 of the stands are big enough for a large off-road trailer/caravan setup. Cost is R100/stand/night and R50/p/n.@

Rustic camping, no electricity, Hot Water and toilets available if you camp.

So far depending on reaction and interest I am planning to take six vehicles, 13 maks.

Minimum Requirements:
4x4 vehicle. (2x4's with diff lock are not allowed.)
Recovery kit: Tow strap, shackles, gloves. Should your vehicle be equipped with a winch please ensure that it works and tree protectors, snatch blocks, damper blankets are packed.
Fire extinguisher.
5L of Water.
Spare wheel in good condition and the same type/size as the tyres that are fitted.
Tyre Pressure gauge. We will be airing down at the driver's meetings.
First Aid Kit.
Mask and Hand Sanitiser.

Just some more, https://youtu.be/Wc9mHF1F10M

Paid R650

Confirmed going:
1) Renier R, camping 2 nights , 2 adults,. Paid R650.00.
2) Martindj, camping 2 nights , 2 adults, Paid R650.00.

Looks good Martin.
Well done.

It's a bit far for me for a normal weekend.
300km is the maximum I'll attempt - but even that is a push with being self employed & not always able to take Friday off...
So, I'm out.

But, if your report is positive, I'll definitely add it to my 'Bucket List' for 2021 - over a long weekend.

I notice, however, that the Raath's, who own the place, are unsure of where it is.
If you chat to them, tell them a Directions Map & the GPS co-ordinates should be the first thing they put on their website.

What is the cost of a chalet for 2 ppl...

Manny, next time,
Spoke to Geran, very nice and friendly chap, I will ask him for the coordinates.

Bugger, R450.00 p/p/n.

Would love to. Agree with Manny. Can only get away at 4pm on a Friday in future . Not good for me.

Martin de Jager wrote:Bugger, R450.00 p/p/n.

I'm tempted
Might make it might not.
Time will tell

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Morning all, after long deliberation. I have decided to can this event. I am planning to continue and drive the route. We might relaunch it in 2021.

Thanks Manny, still planning to go, will report back,

The official report:
When one looks forward to something, one realizes good things pass so quickly.
What a memorable weekend, we visited a farm in the Nelspruit area, Source Tree 4x4, 407km from home, to view a new 4x4 venue and experience a rustic camp.
Camping in Southern Africa, dependent on solar power, open air toilets and showers the moon in full view. It offers more luxury accommodation, in the lodge and in some chalets.
As a member of 4x4 Action Group, and being tired of the boring local drives and same ol same man made tracks, this offered raw fun and some challenging options for the future.
The Farm offers real big and huge vertical climbs on and off rock faces. The closest to the camp is about 50 meters high, angles varied from 39-42 deg at places - commit or go home.
We arrived on Friday, 5 hrs later , traveling 407 km, absorbing and tolerating roadworks and general traffic. All the time following the N4 via Schoemansville, past Nelspruit, we finally arrived at the Uitkyk gravel road, +- 6km of fair gravel road.
We turned left into no16, anicely tarred road awaited us going up to the lodge.
The farm is nice and green, we were met by some Giraffe, Rooibok, Black Wildebeest and Ostrich.

Accommodation available at Source Tree Lodge:
Chalets: There are 2 chalets sleeping 4 persons each and 2 sleeping 2 persons on queen beds and single beds. Cost is R450/p/n.
Africa House: A 14 sleeper house with 2x 5 sleeper rooms and 2x 2 sleeper rooms. All beds are single beds. Each room has its own bathroom. There is a communal kitchen facility in the house. Cost is R350/p/n.
Camping: 6x rustic camping stands with hot water (but no electricity) are available. 2 of the stands are big enough for a large off-road trailer/caravan setup. Cost is R100/stand/night and R50/p/n.
ALL ACCOMMODATION IS SELF CATERING. Kitchen and braai facilities are available. There are several large and well stocked shopping centers available in Nelspruit 25km from the Lodge.
Special braai packs/game meat can be arranged from Rhino Hill butchery for some delicious local meat.
Participants need to provide their own refreshments and lunches during the day. Fires are not available for lunch on Saturday as we are in a highly vulnerable area.
The lodge has a bar, however, you are welcome to bring your own drinks.

Esther and myself arrived around 13h00, most pleasant camp set on a higher tree covered koppie, overlooking the lodge further below.
We were all alone, set our view facing the sunset, what a view. The area mainly consists of granite rock formations, one overlooking the camp, 50 meters high, 42deg approach angle,50 meters up.
The camp is neat, all sites clean, river-sand base as your footing surrounded by natural trees, rustic, yet clean, bush shower and toilet. Toilets shared by some camps, plenty fresh clean water.

it was worth the travel and effort, wow, really special. So serene, unreal, yet the start of a great weekend.

Then Saturday arrived, assisted by Stef in abig highly modified 31/2 inch lift , 37 inch tyres. My Fortuner clearly at a real disadvantage. We set off on some of the obstacles some real testers.
We climbed two of the granite rocks, wow, awesome experience.

This place will see me again. It was all worth it.

Trail Grading level 3-5, yes three of the rocks measures between 42-46 deg angles, you need big balls.

This is a must if you are eager to test yourself and your vehicle.
I am planning to go back in 2021, any brave souls?