Road Conditions
and Route Maps

Click HERE
for a route map

General Information:

1)  Travelling on the main public road through the Baviaanskloof between Willowmore and Patensie does not require a permit from the Dept. of Nature Conservation. However, should you consider turning off the road, or road-seam, to enjoy a break for a few hours in one of the gorges or camping areas in the conservation area, a permit is required. Consider phoning ahead to notify your hosts of your departure in either Willowmore, Uniondale or Patensie

    
2)  Zandvlakte farm borders die conservation area
and is situated in the center of the Baviaanskloof valley.

3)  Contact your hosts before you depart from
Uniondale,Willowmore or Patensie.

4) There is no cellphone reception in the
valley. Make sure you notify your family and friends
of your destination, in advance, before you setout on the Baviaanskloof road.



Road Distances:

Distance between

Willowmore and Patensie: ± 200 kilometer.
 Drive time: nonstop: 6 - 8 hours. It's not a good idea to set out at night. Bear in mind the 160 000 hectare - size of the wilderness area neighboring Zandvlakte. You should be thoroughly prepared for the trip. The average speed through the conservation is 20- 40km/h


Willowmore to Zandvlakte: ± 98 km. 
Drive time:±1½ hours.
Average speed:  70 km/hour.
More densely populated.

Zandvlakte to Patensie: 99 km.
Drive Time: 4 hours nonstop.
Average speed: 20 - 40 km/hour.
Zandvlakte is the last farm before the remote mountains
of the wilderness area are entered.

Road Conditions:

Vehicles should be roadworthy and tyres in a very good condition. Spare parts can include an extra fan belt, a spare tyre in good condition, puncture repair kid , plugs for tube-less tyres, and a water container in case of emergencies. It will take at least 2-3 additional hours for vehicles with low-profile tyres. Recommended size = 15 / 16-inch rims.

Include a torch with good batteries in the emergency kid, blankets, good walking shoes, and enough food for one day in case of a breakdown in the remote mountains.

TIP: When passing through many water drifts over the road, park your car in gear, and leave the hand-brake disabled for at least 12 hours. Many vehicles experience problems with locked brakes due to the moisture penetrating the asbestos in the brake - pads.

The road is not suitable for sedan vehicles or caravans!!

BE PREPARED!

 

Supplies:

Food and Beverages: - should be purchased before departure. Although there are shops in the valley they only cater for the basic necessities.

Fuel:  - Fill up in Patensie, Willowmore or Uniondale. One petrol station is available in the valley during office hours and Saturdays until 12.00 noon. Diesel is also available.

Medical Kit: - Be wise and include a good one. It is not a bilharzia- or malaria area. No vaccinations are required in this region of the country

Road Directions:

Willowmore to Zandvlakte: From Willowmore: Turn south on the George road. 3 Kilometers outside town is the "Baviaanskloof/ Winterhoek mountains sign. Turn left and travel on this road for ± 35 km until Nuwekloof Pass is reached.

NUWEKLOOF PASS - is the beginning of the Baviaanskloof. It is a 7 km. pass. Always turn corners slowly and keep on the left side of the road at all times. Zandvlakte is about one hour's drive from Nuwekloof pass. 17 Kilometers before Zandvlakte a "Police = 7 km"- sign is posted on the left side of the road. Stay on that road. The Police Station is situated on the left side of the road and well sign-posted. Pass the station for another ±10 kilometers. A church with a red roof will be on the left side. 1½ km further down the road, coming down a steep hill, a signpost on the RIGHT side of the road indicates "Zandvlakte". Turn right, pass the buildings and stop in front of the homestead. It is not visible from the main road, although quite near it. The sign reads: " Zandvlakte - Piet en Griet se Plek" ( Piet and Griet's place)
***

Uniondale to Zandvlakte: - From Uniondale : Follow the Willowmore road north. ± 20 km outside the town a signpost indicates "Baviaanskloof/ Vaalwater. Turn right. Drive 17 km. Turn left at t-junction where the signpost indicates Baviaanskloof/Willowmore to the left. Drive 15 km and turn right at the t-junction indicating the Baviaanskloof to the right.
( Willowmore is left ) You are now on the main route between Baviaanskloof and Willowmore. Nuwekloof starts ±4 km from there.

***

Patensie to Zandvlakte: Follow the main road north from Hankey right through Patensie. The tar road becomes a gravel road and passes Andrieskraal and Cambria.

Stay on this main road and drive through 4 gates in the wilderness area. The road travels over three mountain passes. Drive on, pass "Geelhoutbos" on the left. Keep on the main road. From there Zandvlakte is 13 km further down the road.

It is the first farm on the LEFT-side of the road after the stonewalled-gate, indicating the border of the conservation area. The homestead is ± 3 km furthernorth-west on the same road.

The lucerne fields, with livestock grazing in camps, will be your first encounter with "life" outside the conservation. Coming around a bend in the road, Zandvlakte homestead is situated below, on the left . Turn left there at the big white-walled barn, or if you miss the turn-off you will find the sign "Sandvlakte Piet en Griet se Plek" around the next bend in the road, which is about 300 meters onwards.
DRIVE SAFELY AND ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE !!