Archive for the ‘North West’ category

Kloofing and Abseiling in Magaliesberg

September 15th, 2006

Fernkloof, Bergheim Holiday Resort
Near: Rustenburg, North West, South Africa
GPS: -25.79589, 27.32048
When: 2006-09-15 to 2006-09-17
Who: Thinus, Naas, Dries, Elizna, Marietta, Anculien, Stefan, Mariaan, Willie, Chris, Marco, Larry…

Kloofing and Abseiling in MagaliesbergWe’ve been long time overdue again for a bigger group weekend so that we can meet new people that’s eager to just get out. The issue was – to get people that you don’t know yet to go with you on a trip (and their parents to pay for it), you need to make it look like its organized. And if you wanna claim that its going to involve hiking in a gorge (aka kloofing) with backpack swimming in 2 degree mountain streams and abseiling down 30m cliffs, you need to proof (in triplicate) that there’s going to be someone with responsibility. » Read more: Kloofing and Abseiling in Magaliesberg

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Posted in Birding, Hikes, North West

Finding the Famous Grouse

August 12th, 2006

Amandelbult Platinum Mine
Near: Northam, Brits, North West Province, South Africa
GPS: -24.793844, 27.376081
When: 2006-08-12
Who: Thinus, Martin, Hannelie
View all photos on Ringo

AmandelbultMy hobby list includes bird watching. I took this up about a year ago and have almost reached the 200 sightings mark (Southern Africa has just over 950 bird species for the viewing).

Martin and Hannelie are friends of ours that’s been in the bird watching game for several years now. With every bird you tick off on your little list, it becomes more difficult to tick one more off, and they have to drive to the weirdest places to see the weirdest of birds. » Read more: Finding the Famous Grouse

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Posted in Birding, North West

Mom’s Birthday Weekend

July 21st, 2006

Mount Amanzi
Near: Hartbeespoort Dam, North West Province, South Africa
GPS: -25.716751, 27.841955
When: 2006-07-21 to 2006-07-24
Who: Marissa, Joggie, Tienie, Thinus, Elizna, Elbie, Werner
View all photos on Ringo

Mount Amanzi

Yes yes, we go to someplace near Hartbeespoort Dam quite often, but this area is just so beautiful!! The lodge is on the foot of the massive Magalies mountain, just outside the small resort town Hartbeespoort. The town’s name means ‘pass of the hartbees’, (a species of antelope) in Afrikaans. » Read more: Mom’s Birthday Weekend

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Posted in Birding, North West, Resorts

Buffelspoort Long Weekend

March 17th, 2006

Buffelspoort ATKV Resort
Where: Rustenburg, North West Province, South Africa
GPS: -25.75871, 27.48751
When: 2006-03-17 to 2006-03-21
Who: Thinus, Werner, Jeandre

The last time we came here we enjoyed it so much that we decided to come here again, but this time in the Summer. We choose the long weekend, but left out of our budget a few things – holiday tariffs are more expensive, everything was fully booked, and the only available place was a caravan camping stand with electricity, a roof and place for 6 people. We only had a small tent. » Read more: Buffelspoort Long Weekend

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Posted in Birding, North West, Resorts

Buffelspoort Weekend

April 22nd, 2005

Buffelspoort ATKV Resort
Where: Rustenburg, North West, South Africa
GPS: -25.75871, 27.48751
When: 2005-04-22 to 2005-04-24
Who: Thinus, BKR Logista personel…

BuffelspoortBuffelspoort is one of the ATKV group of holiday resorts. The audit company where a friend works arranged to have their annual company weekend here. We left for the 120km drive to North West province at about 16:00 on Friday afternoon, and had to fight our way through the center of Pretoria city in peak end-of week traffic. We only arrived at our chalet at about 19:00. » Read more: Buffelspoort Weekend

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Posted in Birding, North West, Resorts

Taaibos Hike

April 17th, 2005

Taaibos Hiking Trail
Near: Vaalwater, North West Province, South Africa
GPS: -24.18518, 27.86453
When: 2005-04-14 to 2005-04-16
Who: Thinus, Stefan, Mariaan, Ester, Joggie, Elizna, Ruan…

Taaibos HikeThis is my first hiking/camping trip in a long time. Still some summer left, and the weather turned out great. Joggie, my brother, came with us on this trip, so it was the whole family, with Elizna, my sister included. The whole group was nice, and we met most of the people here for the first time Friday night next to the camp fire.

This is bushveld world, with thorn trees and dry landscape making up most of the scenery, until we saw the cliff! Man, I love cliffs, solid rock drop-offs or risers that just beg to climbed. Joggie and me were game and every time the group took a rest, we scaled up the closest rock wall. » Read more: Taaibos Hike

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Posted in Hikes, North West