LET’S GO!
RAILROAD RUN #4 – hosted by WAYPOINT ADVENTURES - your overlanding partner
Philadelphia – Darling – Donkieskraal – Driehoek – Ceres
This was the second tour that I went with Jean and Rolien since they started Waypoint Adventures. However this time I was participating as a driver not a passenger, with a Mercedes ML 320, Automatic. The holy grail of my hubbies fleet (no pressure).
I follow Waypoint Adventures – your overlanding partner, on social media and the tour sparked my interest because the description of the tour on the FB-page is as follows:
“ Let's see if we can find some flowers along the railway line!
We meet up in Philadelphia at a nice coffee shop and then drive to Darling where we will visit "Evita se Perron". From there we follow the train track to our next stop along the way to make lunch. A great drive takes us to our overnight destination where we pitch our camp. We will create a communal braai area and share our stories and adventures. We stay there for one night.
The scenic drive through the small towns around will give you the opportunity to meet the locals and stop at the unique local shops.
The next morning we will pack up our campsite and drive through one of the great destinations in the Western Cape. The Cederberg always promises to deliver memorable moments. We will stop along the way to make brunch. A great scenic drive through the back roads to our final destination, Ceres, before we all leave for home.
R 950 / vehicle buys you a ticket!
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
>A fully serviced reliable vehicle in very good condition
>Enough fuel for 300km (mainly gravel travel), tire repair kit
>All your water, meals, drinks and snacks for at least 2 days.
>Fire Wood (as much as you can take)
>First Aid Kit as per your requirements
A great sense of adventure...
WHAT DO WE SUPPLY?
>A CATHSSETA qualified guide with many years’ experience
>Qualified Wilderness First Responder First Aider and advanced 1st Aid Kit
>Pre-paid Camping, Park and all Entrance Fees
>Radios for inter-vehicle communication
>Advanced Recovery gear
>Printed Map, Photos and short trip video”
I booked and paid and packed my grannie panties, my woollen climate socks that I bought years ago at the Sea rescue sale, searched for the beanie in the back of the cupboard, dusted off the sleeping bag and checked that all tent pegs are still in the bag.
Luckily my friend Doris is always up for a shared escapade adding to our bucket list. We discussed our packing list and who is in charge of making samies and what to choose for padkos.
Isn’t it amazing how for 1 night camping you end up packing as much as for a three week family holiday?
Let’s go on an overland adventure they said and have some fun…
And fun it we had – plenty!!!
As described we met at the parking area in front of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Philadelphia. Jean informed everyone to deflate the tyre pressure to 1,6ish. In case you needed some coffee or get rid of it, one had the opportunity at the local coffee shop across the road. That was the second last opportunity to have a luxurious sit down behind closed doors before heading into the bundu.
Before we started the trek our leader called a briefing to familiarise everyone with certain rules, regulations and the fine print. Jean and Rolien are hands-on with all the information and tips they share verbally and in print including maps with distances. Everyone loves their professional but calm approach, which makes you feel safe and cared for.
At 9:30am we left in a convoy for a short ride on tarred road until we turned onto a sandy track that would run parallel along a railway line and would lead us directly into Darling. We drove between barb wire fencing , through some minor puddles and along canola fields. After a coffee and loo stop (last chance for porcelain) at Evita Se Perron, the trip continued along the railway line towards Hopefield. An old rusty derailed tank train wagon made an interesting focal point for our stop to have some brunch/lunch/picnic/braai food. The journey continued with a Ma-hindrance of an abandoned vehicle in the middle of the single track but Jean guided our manoeuvres with military precision so we didn’t have to leave any marks on the obstacle. We passed the huge wind turbines embedded in fields of white flowers, crossed some small rivers and did even drift in the sandy tracks.
We arrived at Donkieskraal Game Lodge, Sandberg farm, our place for the evening. We put up our tents in the camping spots. Fires were lit and braaivleis, wors and marshmellows were unpacked. As the full moon rose we placed our camping chairs in a circle near the wood fires.
Sunday morning after a good night sleep we started with a slow drive on tarred road through Clanwilliam until we were back on gravel roads. Driving through the vast area of the Cederberg mountain range opens your eyes for the vast diversity of South African scenery, fauna and flora. The landscape changes from Fynbos shrubs, to Cedar trees, sharply defined sandstone rock formations and in between you spot fields and patches of brightly coloured yellow, white and orange wild flowers. The area received decent rain this season and the dams are full and the rivers are flowing. By that time it was established that the word for the day was DIVINE (not to be mistaken for die vine!).
Our stop for lunch was at Driehoek Campsite and the story of Waypoint Adventures had its origin at this place. Twenty years ago Jean, Rolien and their children were camping here and the idea to share the passion for overlanding in South Africa and Southern Africa was born.
A drive over the pass road above the Kroomriver was breath taking and the perfect ending of our time with a fantastic group of wonderful people.
Thank you Jean for sharing your vast knowledge related to the area, the tales to brighten an informative tip, for the proper way of organising your tours and for excellent execution in a manner that everyone feels part of the Waypoint family.
Thank you Rolien for filming, shooting, cutting, packing, listening, cooking, assisting and keeping the reins.
Thank you for letting us be part and for doing what you love.
Let's Go – Read: Travel. Have Fun.
Looking for your next adventure? Waypoint Adventures – your overlanding partner, they’ve got you!
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