Suid-Afrika 1

The episode is a summary of Johan and Stephan travelling the route in advance planning for the episodes to come.

The new series starts in the Kalahari. In the Dawid Kruiper Municipality they visit the towns of Rietfontein, Groot Mier and Philandersbron. After a visit to Hakskeenpan, they go hunting at Loch Broom and then observe the effect of the Kalahari pipeline on the region. The episode is concluded with a visit to old friends at Riemvasmaak.

The team departs from the Catholic Mission at Pella. Then they travel downstream with the Orange River to the community of Goodhouse. Thereafter it is a visit to the Richtersveld where Karel du Toit shows them the unique flora of the rock desert. This is a journey, on the beaten track, in the Northern Cape.

Dudley Wessels guides the team from Naries to Kookfontein and Leliefontein in Namaqualand. In winter this is a floral paradise. The team also visit Skilpad in the Namakwa National Park and camped on the beach near Koringkorrel Bay on the West Coast. The week is concluded with a dinner at the Muisbosskerm near Lamberts Bay, with Valiant Swart as a guest artist.

The journey starts amongst the rooibos tea plantations of the Gifberg. From there they travel to the Cederberg and Papkuilsfontein in the Hantam region. After a visit to Niewoudtville they visit Hammelhoek for an evening with Die Kaalkop Waarheid. They visit the Tankwa Karoo National Park, one of South Africa’s arid Parks. The week concludes at Sutherland with a visit to the impressive SALT.

The team leaves Matjiesfontein for Bosch Luys Kloof to look down into the Gamkaskloof and The Hell. Seweweerkspoort takes them through the Swartberge to Amalienstein and Zoar, and then to Hoeko, birthplace of CJ Langenhoven. In Ladysmith, they visit two cheese factories and the wine cellar, Makadas and the Otto Hager church. Then they travel to the Hessequa with the Tradouw Pass, Riverdale, Hebertdale and Buysplaas. The week is concluded at Vleesbaai.

The team explore the ox-wagon routes as they venture into the interior. First the world heritage Attekwas Pass. Then the seven passes in the Outeniqua, all the way to de Vlucht where they meet Katot Meyer. As they pass Avontuur they penetrate deeper into the interior en route to Baviaanskloof with a visit to Makadaat, and then Geelhoutbos in the Nature Reserve.

The Wild Coast of the Transkei is one of South Africa’s most beautiful yet unspoilt regions. The team travels north from the Kei River mouth with John Costello and visits Hole-in-the-Wall, Coffee Bay, Port St. Johns and Mkambati where a hospital for lepers once stood.

The Southern Drakensberg is the only place in South Africa with a ski resort. The team use Rhodes as a base to go skiing at Tiffendel, travel the dramatic mountain passes of the region, visit Tina Head and conclude the week at Kolstad where the descendants of Adam Kok III live in Griekwaland East.

The interior of KZN is known for its many battlefields. The team starts with a visit to the Anglo-Boer War battlefield at Spioenkop. From the two battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu War at Isandlwana and Rourke’s Drift. The tragic history of Piet Retief’s murder at Dingaan’s Kraal and the subsequent Blood River concludes the episode.

The team visit Maputaland in northern Kwa Zulu Natal. After game viewing at Mpeti, they travel with Jan Staal du Toit by 4x4 and motorbike on the back roads around Swaziland, in the direction of Amersfoort. At Country Trax, they learn the finer skills of motorbike rides and then continue their journey to Songimvelo, south of Barberton. Are the oldest rocks in the world are to be found.

In the eastern part of South Africa, many jewels are hidden in the mountains. The Voetspore Team visits Mariepskop. Thereafter Lekgalameetse. In the Wolkberg many beautiful waterfalls are to be seen waterfalls ware to be seen. The team travels to the Blouberg where thousands of Cape vultures make their nests on the cliffs. At Buysdorp in the Soutpansberg, the team visit the descendants of Coenraad Buys, known to be the “first Transvaaler”.

The Ivory Route was developed by Fixon Hlongwane two decades ago to unlock the tourism potential of the Limpopo Province. The team start their visit at Makuya and then travel to Awelani, both part of the Route. Thereafter it is a real “Bosveld” experience with Dirk Uys before the team travels to the Masebe Reserve. The week concludes with more “Bosveld” tales at Ellisras, now known as Lephalale.

After three months on the road, the team returns to the Kalahari. It starts with a visit to Madikwe and van Zylsrus before the last leg takes them to Askham. It is time to reflect on a journey that took Voetspore right around, South Africa.