Overlanding South Africa | Baviaanskloof in a 10-ton TRUCK | TravelVlog Ep. 18 | Matches on the Map

#overlanding #Baviaanskloof #southafrica #travelvlog #mercedesbenz #campinglife #alternativefuels #4x4
South Africa has a true wilderness area, Baviaanskloof, which has 8 magnificent passes and poorts including: Hankey Pass, Combrink's Pass, Holgat Pass, Langkop Pass, Grasnek Pass, Grootrivier Poort, Nuwekloof Pass and Studtis Poort.

The trip is approximately 210km long and 60km of it rather difficult driving.
We were wanting to put Betsy, our self-built 1995 ‪@MercedesBenz‬ #expeditionvehicle runs on used cooking oil, to the ultimate shakedown test before heading to our 4th country and up into Africa.

What an awesome start with deep mountain valleys and steep incline gravel roads. On the first day we met a bakkie (pickup) coming down, the couple stopped and with worry in their eyes, looked up at us and said: “have you ever done the Baviaanskloof before!?” It occurred to me that I probably didn’t do adequate research on what I was getting us into. With the first 50.5km’s done and some challenges faced on day 1, we arrived “doodmoeg” (Deadtired) at Doodsklip (Deathrock) campsite at sunset. With not a single soul in sight, the night brought a glow of starlit galaxies and bushveld sounds.

On the second day, Jolandie prepped us a scrambled tofu breaky and we dove straight into the next 45.5km’s of serious work, although well worth the effort and worry.

Betsy just went, up, over and through everything. Water crossings, rocky ridges, and low hanging bushveld and forest brush. We made it to one section where two adventure bikers, Danie and Andries, were exhaustingly working their way across a long and narrow water crossing warning us that things get pretty hairy on the next leg. I felt bad having to tell them that they hadn’t seen anything yet!

A group of 4x4 enthusiasts with a Nissan Patrol met us on the other side of the crossing, shaking their heads and warning that Betsy might not be able to go up the steep hairpins and switchbacks that lie in wait. The one gentleman mentioned “well, if you can’t do the next bit, you’re not gonna make it to Vietnam!” Enough said! It was easy going compared to the section we had completed earlier that day. The pass claimed one rear view mirror and at one stage we were knee deep in muddy water digging our way through underneath a tree stump in order to save the roof carrier. We spent two nights at the next campsite to defuse and destress….

On the last day we were keen to complete the remaining 118km’s to Uniondale. Slow going, perfect for taking in every movement in the mountains. Baboons, vervet monkeys, kudu, nyala, snakes, scorpions, tortoises and many different bird species. An awesome experience and a true test to see whether Betsy would be able to brave the African continent!

Whilst the western half of the Baviaanskloof can be driven in a normal car in fair weather conditions, a 4x4 with high clearance is necessary to complete the eastern half, which includes several water crossings. Highly recommend this pass for the avid 4x4 enthusiast! However, we do not recommend doing this particular pass with a big rig like Betsy if you want to stay married!

We used our ‪@tracks4africa725‬ maps to guide our way.

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