Calendar

Thu 9 – Sun 12 August 2018

Come and join your club on an outing to the Highlanders Campsite on the West Coast, near Trawal.
Thursday (9th) is Woman’s Day, thanks to the women in our lives. Most of us will need to take a day off on the Friday. We trust that we’ll have great winter rain and it’ll be an awesome wild flower season!

It is vital to read this write-up carefully because there are several choices that require pre-booking, and therefore your commitment.

About Highlanders Campsite & Lodge: S31.90091 E18.65062 [31S 54′ 02.4″] [18E 39′ 02.1″]

Link to their website: www.higlanderssa.co.za

It’s approximately 270km from Cape Town along the Cape / Namibia N7 Route, past Clanwilliam near the settlement of Trawal.

Highlanders Campsite & Lodge is conveniently situated in the scenic region of Namaqualand on the Cape/Namibia N7 Route and is the perfect stopover. It is nestled among the wine farms on the Olifants river, at the foot of the Cedarberg mountain range in the Klawer wine region. The setting is simply stunning!

The owner Sparky, has a mass of experience in the hospitality trade as an ex-overland truck driver/guide. He has put this knowledge to good use in his design of the camp, ensuring all camping needs are met.
The campsites are in a beautiful setting surrounded by vineyards on a working wine farm.

4×4 TRAIL:
Bergkraal 4×4 – which is between Klawer and Vredendal, roughly 70km from the campsite. Entrance fee: R150,00 per vehicle minimum of 5 vehicles and they will provide a guide. This option has a rock route and a sand route.

The Bergkraal 4×4 route will test both vehicles and drivers to the maximum! Steep inclines and descents; through and over dongas; big rocks and sand will be encountered on the 54km route. There is a Braai at the halfway point where there is a “foofy slide” and bushman paintings to be seen. The route should take 8hrs to complete.

ACCOMMODATION:
Highlanders is set on 3 levels therefore giving campers plenty of space between each of the 5 individual camp areas. Each camp has a ‘braai’ pit, sink unit & power. There is a 12 roomed (en suite & aircon) Lodge. The mountain views are stunning from the solar-powered hot showers.

Although the campsites are covered with a thick carpet of lawn, the trees are still too small to provide shade. The well maintained ablution facility has several showers and toilets and a wash up area. Next to the bar and entertainment centre is a braai area and a swimming pool.

RENDEZVOUS:
DATE:     Thursday 9th August 2018
PLACE: Kardoesie about 150 km from Cape Town. (about 1.5hrs or so from Cape Town)
TIME:     9am – We will wait for 15min. Please let us know if you aren’t meeting us here

PROGRAM:
Thursday:

• Meet at Kardoesie at 9am for a breakfast stop. Please indicate if you are joining us for this because we will pre-book at the venue. We should leave there an hour later. From there we move on to Highland Campsite – roughly 170km further!
• There are some optional routes to arrive at our campsite. We will discuss this over breakfast.
• On arrival we’ll set up camp or move into a chalet. We’ll chill out for the rest of the day and prepare for a communal braai.
• 16:30 we will attend a wine tasting for those who have booked for this event. R 90.00 per person. This will be at the pub area.

Friday:

• Early start! Depart campsite 7:45 to get to Bergkraal by 8:30 (about 70km)
  Bergkraal 4×4 Route. Entry fee per vehicle is R150.00. Depart around 8:30 – 9:00.
• It is a full day route with a BRING EN BRAAI or PICNIC at the half way mark. Firewood will be supplied. There is also a 300m zipline at the half way mark that runs on request.
• Suggest that we consider a boerie roll or picnic.
• Prepare for a communal braai.

Saturday:

• Relaxed start – Prepare own breakfast before the day starts.
• There are several alternatives: (Optional – cost depends on what activity is decided on)
  • A backroads drive in the area to see flowers.
  • A backroad drive to Lambertsbay; lunch at Isabellas in the harbour; leisurely drive back to our campsite.
  • Visit some of the Wine Cellars in the area. Klawer; Voorsorg; Vredendal; Lutzville.
• Potjiekos Competition: Wow us with your potjie special!! We will also be judging the setup and décor! Get dressed for the occasion! There are prizes to be won!
  • Competition Rules:
    • Make sufficient just for your own consumption. Judges only require a small taster.
    • To add another dimension choose a theme and, to make it interesting, create the atmosphere of your theme by adding décor and even dress. The key is innovation and “gees”! HAVE FUN!!!
    • We will be judging the following:
      • Flavour – does it confirm the theme.
      • Theme – innovation and does it follow the theme.
  • 1st Prize – R 200.00 Runner up – R 100.00

Sunday:

• Pack up and leave in your own time.

RSVP:

In order to secure a spot, RSVP to outings@4wd-wc.co.za by Monday, 30 April 2018.
Only 12 vehicles can be accommodated on this trip.

COST:

The venue is offering a Wine Tasting of a selection of 6 wines with cheeses. The tasting lasts 1,5hours approximately. This will cost R90.00 per person. Please indicate if you wish to participate.
Please also indicate if you are going to camp or staying in a chalet so that we can book it accordingly.

Camping:  R 100.00 per person per night.
Chalets:    R 650.00 for a double room – (i.e. R 325.00 / person sharing)
R 500.00 for a single room – (i.e. 1 person not sharing)
All rooms have aircon, linen and towels.
Wood:   R 30.00 per bundle of 15 pieces of Rooikrans (club will sponsor 1 bundle per vehicle per night).
Route:   R 150.00 per vehicle

Please pay a deposit of 50% of your full cost into the club account with “HCS”, your Name and Surname. The final outstanding fee will be calculated once the group has been finalised.
Please note that your name will only be placed on the “confirmed members” list after your non-refundable deposit has been received.

OUTINGS ORGANISER:
Please contact George Purchase for any enquiries on 078 893 7661 or outings@4wd-wc.co.za

GENERAL:
 This is a late Winter/almost Spring Trip
 Always consider the possibility of rain. Pack clothing accordingly
 Always advisable to wear comfortable closed shoes or boots
 Advisable to have a broad rim hat and sun block on hand
 Use tie-down straps to secure all items packed, as loose items can become missiles
 At the campsite there are taps that are marked as drinkable of not.
 There is electricity available
 Please bring own refuse bags
 No pets allowed
 Bring all eat and drink for the weekend. This to include snacks for on the trail
 There is a swimming pool for the brave ones!

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS:
 All vehicles must be in sound mechanical condition
 Can only accommodate vehicles with LOW RANGE
 Always have your spare keys with you
 Recovery points fitted to the front and rear on your vehicle are a prerequisite
 Your own Kinetic/recovery strap and 2 x shackles
 A tyre pump and tyre pressure gauge may be required to deflate/inflate tyres
 Carry a fire extinguisher, which is easily accessible in the event of an emergency
 Always carry your personal medical kit. Pack where accessible
 All other recovery equipment must be supplied

TWO WAY RADIOS (recommended):
 Communication between participating vehicles on any 4×4 excursion is important for many reasons. It contributes towards the safety of drivers, passengers and vehicles while on a 4×4 trail, where drivers can communicate with one another as regards to their location and situation not to mention the interesting information that is shared with participants.
 For those who have not got a VHF Radio with the ORRA Channels the Club has radios available for hire. Contact Jimmy Niemann radio@4wd-wc.co.za in this regard, well in advance please.

WRITE UP:
 Somebody from the group will be requested to write a short trip report for the website and our Facebook page, and please include some pictures.

We hope to see many Club Members on this outing.

Bergkraal 4×4