Rhenosterpoort Hiking Trail
Alma/Thabazimbi
Rhenosterpoort is situated close to the small hamlet of Rankin’s Pass which is on the sand road between Alma and Thabazimbi in Limpopo Province. The last portion is dirt road and a vehicle with a high clearance (bakkie/SUV) is recommended.
Accommodation
There are two Bush camps – linked with an overnight back pack trail and each camp has its own day circular trails. The overnight/ back pack trail can be started from either side.
Dassie Camp
This thatched bush camp is situated in a thickly wooded kloof, 200m from the river and twenty minutes walk from a waterfall with a swing and a big refreshing rock pool.
It accommodates 20 hikers and consists of four bedrooms with bunk beds and mattresses.
No bedding provided.
Outside: a (not reed) boma for camp fires and outside braai.
No electricity. No lanterns. Bring own lanterns, torches, etc.
Ablution – Gas geyser. Two flush toilets & 2 showers
Lapa, braai facilities, kitchen with 2-plate gas stove, no cooking utensils.
BRING OWN Cooler boxes and ice. No fridge
Minimum group booking of 12 persons.
Dassie Camp Inventory
Accommodates 20 hikers (minimum of 12) and consists of four bedrooms with bunk beds and mattresses. There is a big, enclosed Lapa with kitchen & braai facilities. Please bring own chairs.
No electricity. No lanterns – candles only. Bring own lights.
Bring own cooler boxes and ice – no fridge.
Ablutions: Gas geyser. Two flush toilets & 2 showers.
Bedrooms:
- 10 X Double-bunks
- 20 X Mattresses (please do not remove from the room)
- 1 X large table
Kitchen:
- 2 X Kettles (for gas stove)
- 3 X Braai grids
- 1 X 2-plate gas stove
- Bring own cooler boxes and ice – no fridge.
- 2 X Trestle Tables
- Broom, dust bin, spade
- ONE wood bundle is provided. Wood is available for sale from the owners.
Bosbok Camp
This private secluded thatched bush camp is also situated in a wooded kloof, 200m from the river and walking distance from the waterfall.
It accommodates 10 persons. No Bedding Provided.
Two separate bedrooms with 3 single beds in each room.
Two extra bunk beds in the social area (4 single beds).
No electricity. No Lanterns. Bring own lanterns, torches, etc.
Ablutions: 1 flush toilet & 1 shower. Gas geyser for hot water.
Lapa, braai facilities, kitchen with 2-plate gas stove, no cooking utensils.
BRING OWN Cooler boxes and ice. No fridge.
Minimum group booking of 4 persons.
Bosbok Camp Inventory
Accommodates 10 persons. Minimum 4 persons. Two bedrooms with 3 single beds in each room and a social area with 2 bunk beds. Kitchen lapa and boma with braai facilities.
Please bring own chairs.
No electricity. No lanterns – candles only. Bring own lights.
Bring own cooler boxes and ice – no fridge.
Ablutions: Gas geyser. One flush toilet & 2 showers (one is an outside cold shower).
Bedrooms:
- 2 X Double-bunks
- 6 X Beds
- 10 X Mattresses (please do not remove from the room)
- 1 X Table with 6 chairs
Kitchen:
- 1 X Kettle (for gas stove)
- 2 X braai grids
- 1 X Trestle table
- 1 X 2-plate gas stove
- Broom, dust bin, spade
- ONE wood bundle is provided. Wood is available for sale from the owners.
Hiking trails:
Day trails (2)
Hikers can do 8 km and 10 km day trails from each camp, or do the trails as part of an overnight route to include both camps.
Both trails follow natural streams in ravines for part of the way, making this an ideal summertime hike. During the latter part of the rain season the many natural springs on the farm mean that you rarely need to carry drinking water with you. The veld changes from thickly wooded ravines, with great waterberries and yellow woods, to a mixed bushveld, with sickle bush and acacia, and then to sourveld with, beech trees and sugarbush proteas. This variety of veld types in a relatively small area make for a varied and interesting hike.
Bird enthusiasts will appreciate the 200 plus species that have been identified on the property and in the area.
The waterfall that inspired the idea of hiking trails is a must see and is a joy to swim in, and the water is usually cold and refreshing, even on the hottest days.
Overnight trail
Hikers can start and finish from each camp.
The overnight trail can accommodate 10 hikers.
B – D: From Bosbok Camp to Dassie Camp is approximately 10km and starts by following the Rhenosterspruit. After about 2km the trail takes the hiker through a portion of what we call the Donker kloof, so named because the narrow ravine and enormous trees ensure that very little direct sunlight reaches the ground. You then leave the kloof to ascend to one of the highest lookouts on the farm, with a spectacular view of the Waterberg Mountains and the Alma Valley. After crossing the sourveld on the plateau, you enter a ravine upstream of the same Rhenosterspruit that you started hiked along earlier. Following this “kloof” brings you to the Dassie camp.
D – B: This trail is approximately 8km from Dassie camp back to Bosbok camp. The trail starts by following the stream further downriver to the Waterfall, and is a “must swim”, the plunge pool has been measured as 5 m deep in places, this and the high surrounding cliffs that block all but the midday sun, mean a very cold and refreshing plunge. Soon thereafter the trail follows a smaller tributary stream up river through a smaller, though no less attractive kloof. After a while this ravine narrows until the stream fills the space, you can then choose the following options; 1) Follow the marked trail out and then along the top of the ravine, or 2) Take the adventurous option of wading through the at times waist deep water and follow the stream until the two trails meet at the top of the ravine. The trail then crosses a ridge to descend to a wide valley in a veld ideal for kudu, impala, and many other game species. The trail follows the valley for a relatively easy walk the Bosbok camp.
Other Activities:
Excellent Bird watching – bird list available
Tree identification – tree list available
Rates:
NB:
Minimum Group booking required for Over-night Backpack Trails: 6 persons.
Minimum Group booking required for Bosbok Camp: 4 persons.
Minimum Group booking required for Dassie Camp: 12 persons.
Minimum of two-night stay over weekends.
Bushcamp and Dassie Camp:
Bring own bedding, cutlery/crockery, lamps or some form of lighting
- Adult 00 pp.pn
- U/12 00 pp.pn
- U/2 Free
Bushcamp – 1 night over weekend
- Adult 00 pp.pn
- U/12 00 pp.pn
- U/2 Free
Day Hikes:
- Adult 00 pp.pn
- U/12 00 pp.pn
- U/2 Free
Admin Fee:
R55.00 – Once off per reservation