Skoorsteenberg
101 Roetegids | 2010
Skoorsteenberg
As jy ’n vakansie na Botswana beplan en jou toerusting wil beproef, is Skoorsteenberg ideaal daarvoor. Die eienaar, Willie Kotze, het sy plaas aan veldryers oopgestel en bied ’n egte Karoo-ervaring aan mense wat heeltemal selfversorgend is.
Jy moet alles saamneem – jou eie water, vuurmaakhout, stofies, kampyskas en tent. Skoorsteenberg is een van die bakens van die Tankwa-Karoo, en vroeglente ontplof dié halfwoestyngebied in ’n kleurryke veldblomlushof.
Daar is sowat 25 km se veldrypaaie, wat boere hoofsaaklik gemaak het om by hul skape te kom as hulle die diere in die winter van die hoogliggende dele verskuif. Die roete is grotendeels redelik mak, hoewel een of twee paaie verspoel is deur donderstorms; hulle is dekades gelede gebruik, en sal jou ryvernuf beproef.
Die Tankwa-Karoo is ’n besondere deel van die land om te verken, maar jy het beslis ’n goeie kaart nodig omdat die tientalle hekke in die omgewing jou kan laat verdwaal. Met die kaart en ekstra brandstof is daar twee lekker agterpaaie om daarvandaan na Sutherland te ry. Probeer om vroegoggend tot by die Telkom-toring net onder Skoorsteenberg te ry. Daarvandaan het jy ’n onverbeterlike uitsig oor die Karoo.
Veldfietse is welkom en troeteldiere word toegelaat as jy dit vooraf reël.
Wat jy moet weet
Blyplek:
Skoorsteenberg het kampering net as jy heeltemal selfversorgend is. Kamp by die droë rivierbedding of op die hange van een van die Karookoppies. Praat met die eienaar oor meer inligting.
Wat nog?
Die omgewing is ryk aan geskiedenis, en die Britse botanis William Burchell het in die 1800’s naby die plaas uitgekamp. As jy avontuurlik is en genoeg brandstof en goeie kaart het, kan jy ’n onbekende deel van die land verken.
Kontak:
Willie Kotze
021 939 8102;
082 971 7686;
ikapacom@mweb.co.za
Naaste dorp: Ceres (130 km)
Beste tyd om te gaan: Heeljaar, maar die lente en herfs is die beste.
Roeteafstand: 17-25 km
Hoe lank gaan ek ry? 2-3 uur
FULL REVIEW | JULY 2006 (DO15) | Richard van Ryneveld
Nearest town Ceres (130km)
Contact Willie Kotze
Tel 021 939 8102 or
Cell 082 971 7686
Fax 086 672 0291
E-mail ikapa@mweb.co.za
Best time of year All year (spring and autumn are best)
Maximum vehicles 10
Route distance 17km–25km (2–3 hours)
Skoorsteenberg is one of the main landmarks of the Tanqua Karoo.
In early spring this semi-desert area explodes into a flower paradise and the interesting geology of Skoorsteenberg has attracted geologists from around the world. Many farmers in the area are replacing sheep with indigenous species of game.
Willie Kotze has only recently opened his farm to off-road vehicles.
His idea is to offer a venue to people who are totally equipped and self-sufficient; people who want to experience the Karoo in all its wonder and simplicity.
If you are dreaming of doing a trip to Botswana and you would like to test your gear, this is a good place to come and do it.
You need to have everything from your own water to your own firewood, stoves, camping fridges, tents, etc.
There’s roughly 25km of driving, mostly on tracks made by the farmers to get access to their sheep when they bring them down from the high country in winter.
Most of the driving is pretty tame. There are, however, one or two tracks that have been washed away by recent thunderstorms. These trails have not been used for ages and will be a good test of your driving skills.
The Tanqua Karoo is an incredible area of the country to explore, but once again I must emphasize a good map, as there are many gates in this area and you need to be able to see if you are driving on a public or private road.
With a good map and extra fuel there are two magic roads to take to Sutherland from here.
We personally enjoyed driving up to the telephone tower just below Skoorsteenberg in the early morning light. From here the views of the Ceres Karoo were stunning.
That said, the greatest joy is the peace and tranquility in the bracingly clean air of this aeon-old area.
One of the few legally approved trails (The ECA Act 73 of 1989 for 4×4 routes & facilities)
Why I loved it
“This is a place to really be out in the quietness and peace of the open veld of the Karoo. A place so remote that if you listen carefully, you will be able to hear your microbes gnawing.” Richard van Ryneveld
WHERE TO STAY
Camping:
Skoorsteenberg only offers rough camping for totally self-sufficient off-roaders. There is dry river bed where Willie suggest you should camp, but if you prefer to camp high up on the slopes of one of the Karoo koppies to watch the stars, I’m sure Willie wouldn’t mind.
WHAT ELSE
- This area is steeped in history with Burchell having camped nearby on one of his many expeditions.
- You have to be adventurous and carry enough fuel and good maps to explore one of the truly undiscovered parts of our country.
- Off-road bikes are welcome
- Pets are allowed by arrangement.
- Teach your kids about the stars as the absence of pollution makes stargazing a magical experience.
SPECIALIST PACKING
If you visit Skoorsteenberg you have to be totally self-sufficient.
Pack a puncture outfit, spare wheel, water, firewood, tent, plenty of liquids and food for a good couple of days.
lso remember a spade and vehicle recovery kit, and carry a good toolkit.
Bring your hat, sunscreen, binoculars, camera and plenty of film.
THE COST
Trail R120 per vehicle
Camping R50 per vehicle per night
WHY GO THERE
- Very enjoyable trail if you know how to prepare for really roughing it.
- It’s also a good place to test your skills before you get into a tight spot ‘in the back of beyond’.
Wat jy moet weet
Kontak:
Willie Kotze
Telefoon:
021 939 8102
Selfoon:
082 971 7686
E-pos-adres:
Webblad:
Beste tyd om te gaan:
Heeljaar, maar die lente en herfs is die beste.
Roeteafstand:
17-25 km
Maksimum aantal voertuie:
10
Kampering:
Skoorsteenberg het kampering net as jy heeltemal selfversorgend is. Kamp by die droë rivierbedding of op die hange van een van die Karookoppies. R50 per voertuig p.n.
Wat nog?
Die omgewing is ryk aan geskiedenis, en die Britse botanis William Burchell het in die 1800’s naby die plaas uitgekamp. As jy avontuurlik is en genoeg brandstof en goeie kaart het, kan jy ’n onbekende deel van die land verken.
