By Roxanne Reid
While we were staying at the gorgeous Fossil Ridge eco-lodge in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve Nature Reserve near Oudtshoorn recently we were lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the new Kannaland 4x4 route before it opened to the public at the beginning of November.
While we were staying at the gorgeous Fossil Ridge eco-lodge in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve Nature Reserve near Oudtshoorn recently we were lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the new Kannaland 4x4 route before it opened to the public at the beginning of November.
With us was reserve manager Tom Barry, who was seriously knowledgeable about all sorts of things, particularly plants. That’s useful when Gamkaberg’s vegetation spans four of the South African biomes: Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, Subtropical Thicket and Evergreen Forest.
The trail was 32km long and highly recommended for 4x4 drivers with a short attention span. Why? Because it chopped and changed from dry scrubland to lush thicket, from steep passes to layers of far-off mountains, never giving us a chance to be bored. Best of all, it passed through a huge wilderness area where signs of human habitation were almost non-existent.
The trail was 32km long and highly recommended for 4x4 drivers with a short attention span. Why? Because it chopped and changed from dry scrubland to lush thicket, from steep passes to layers of far-off mountains, never giving us a chance to be bored. Best of all, it passed through a huge wilderness area where signs of human habitation were almost non-existent.
Great views unfold all around you as you drive
Tom’s infatuation with plants was catchy. He told us about the Kanna plant the route is named after, and how the San and Khoi used to smoke, chew or sniff it because they liked its mind altering properties. He told us about bababoudtjies and perdetande and gansmis and boesmanskers – all names that describe the plants in question to a T, as Afrikaans names so often do.
The succulent 'bababoudjies' look just like babies' bottoms before they flower
He also pointed out that there are only big guarrie bushes in the area, no new ones germinating.
‘Researchers have discovered that these bushes need a minimum of 300ml of summer rain to germinate. This area only gets around 100ml, so they went to the Cango Caves and looked at the stalactites and stalagmites to determine when last the area got as much as 300ml,’ he said.
The answer was 12 000 years ago so the astonishing guarrie bushes here in the Klein Karoo are at least that old. Of course, the foliage we saw wasn’t that old, but the root system is – if you cut or break the branches off it just sprouts again.
‘Researchers have discovered that these bushes need a minimum of 300ml of summer rain to germinate. This area only gets around 100ml, so they went to the Cango Caves and looked at the stalactites and stalagmites to determine when last the area got as much as 300ml,’ he said.
The answer was 12 000 years ago so the astonishing guarrie bushes here in the Klein Karoo are at least that old. Of course, the foliage we saw wasn’t that old, but the root system is – if you cut or break the branches off it just sprouts again.
There are a couple of steep descents and you'll need low range for some sections
‘This is a botanist’s paradise,’ said Tom as he launched into a story of what happened on Madiba’s 95th birthday in July.
Tom was out walking in the reserve when he found a plant he hadn’t seen before. He checked with botanists who were very excited because they thought it was previously undocumented by science. He’s been going back every few weeks to check if the plants have flowered; that will be the acid test of whether or not it really is a new species. If it is, wouldn't it be nice if it were named after Madiba?
Tom was out walking in the reserve when he found a plant he hadn’t seen before. He checked with botanists who were very excited because they thought it was previously undocumented by science. He’s been going back every few weeks to check if the plants have flowered; that will be the acid test of whether or not it really is a new species. If it is, wouldn't it be nice if it were named after Madiba?
A viewpoint near a camera trap that has captured photos of caracal, aardwolf and honey badger
The Kannaland 4x4 route has a grading of 3, which means that you need some off-road knowledge and a 4x4 with high clearance and low range (no soft off-roaders). It takes at least five hours and it’s open – at no extra charge – only to people who are overnighting at Gamkaberg.
There’s a shorter 20km version if you don’t have much time, or you can even do it on your mountain bike if you’re skilled in the saddle.
To book a stay at Gamkaberg, call Cape Nature on 0861-227362 or 021-4830190.
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There’s a shorter 20km version if you don’t have much time, or you can even do it on your mountain bike if you’re skilled in the saddle.
To book a stay at Gamkaberg, call Cape Nature on 0861-227362 or 021-4830190.
Like it? Pin this image!
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Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without written permission from roxannereid.co.za
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Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without written permission from roxannereid.co.za
