paw_by_paw wrote:Well our planned trip took somewhat of a turn as we decided the 50 degrees temp in Dec will be a bit of a problem but this is what we are planning now:
Secunda to Kuruman- does anyone now DIE MAS campsite
Kuruman to Kakamas see a bit of the area there and move on to
From Graaf Reinett to to Maselspoort in Bloem and back home
A round trip of +- 4500 km with some off road driving and look arounds.
Any suggestions of other places to stay will be appreciated.
I also saw a place called Batteleur Camp outside Kuruman and looks quite nice on the website - If that can be trusted
Regards
Hi paw paw.
I might give you some tips as I was in the Kuruman/augrabies/riemvasmaak area two weeks ago.
Firstly keep in mind I have no idea what kind of trips you prefer. Roughnecking it out with a varkpan and baked beans on toast or styling it out in lodges and B&B's. I am more of the first.
So here goes.
1.) In Keimoes just opposite the water wheel is the towns information office. Stop there and talk to the two nice very helpful ladies working there while you have a cup of tea. They really do have updated info on the whole area.
2.)At Kakamas we stayed at Khamkirri. We made this lovely campsite our base camp for 3 nights and explored the whole area. Google khamkirri. I will chose this place above any of the big name camp sites in that area.
3.) If you stay over in Kakamas set a day aside and do yourself a favor and do the Kakamas , Augrabies(falls plus the viewpoints), Blouputs, Riemvasmaak, Kakamas loop. You can thank me in beers later. We did this loop and I planned that we arrive at the Riemvasmaak hot springs late afternoon. Its then lekker cool in the canyon and the dip in the hot pools were refreshing. Khamkirri is only a short 30km hop away down a good gravel road. Riemvasmaak also have 3 kwaai 4x4 trails which we sadly did not do (yet).
4.) If you are the exploring type who never say no to a gravel road. Ditch the tar and cross the Orange at Upington or Kanoneiland and follow the gravel road on the other side of the river all the way to Kakamas. (you can hop back and forth at Keimoes to do point 1 above.)
5.) We only drove past Die mas campsite just before Kakamas. Did not pop in. Its on a wine farm.
6.) Speaking of wine. Go and sample at the Orange river wine cellar in Kakamas.
7.) Between Kakamas and Kuruman you will have to turn off the N14 if you want to have fun. To many to name here.
Feel free to ask more questions.
)
). Our furthest north will be Spitzkoppe and then back via Mariental and Mata-Mata through the Galagadi TFP.