Trails:
The Meteorite Hiking Trails are a system of about 60km of trails offering a variety of choices. Short circular routes and full day hikes from any of the base camps are possible, as well as hiking tours of anything from 2 to 5 or more days in length, with en route accommodation in 4 hutted camps. The average distance between the camps is 8km, and the trails vary between moderate to moderately difficult.
Setting:
Offering beautiful views of the Vredefort Dome from high ridges, the trails, situated in the southwestern part of the Dome, lead the visitor to a variety of secluded and untouched areas which are equally interesting from the historical, geological and natural perspectives. The highest point in the Dome lies on the route, as well as a long stretch of forest on the Vaal river bank. The trails traverses a variety of habitats ranging from bushveld through forest to high rocky ridges, where naturally occurring game, birds and indigenous plants are an attraction.
Vredefort Dome:
The Meteorite Hiking Trails offer many scenic routes through this newest Natural World Heritage site of South Africa, which is the oldest and largest meteorite impact site in the world. The landscape is dominated by the high concentric ridges covered largely with naturally occurring bushveld vegetation. The area is very rich in plant and animal life and hosts many endemic species. One may see blesbok, duiker, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, kudu, warthog, jackal, caracal and brown hyena. Many bird species occur, from fish eagles and the heron family at the river to the ubiquitous guinea fowl and corn birds. More than 50 tree species may be seen, such as jacket plum, sweet thorn, cabbage tree and wild olive.
Climate:
This is a summer rainfall area. Days may become very hot in summer, and in winter the nights may be cold, although frost is rare. Mosquitoes are rarely a nuisance, monkeys may steal when offered a chance, and there are no dangerous wild animals.
Accommodation:
(PLEASE NOTE: Self CATERING levy is applicable at the BASE CAMP: R120 per day for use of lapa facilities and cleaning staff).
|
Accommodation |
Kitchen |
Bathroom |
Facilities |
Please bring own |
Baskop Bush Camp |
Large old farm house Sleeps 16 hikers Beds/mattresses |
Stove Fridge Pots/pans |
2 x baths 2 x showers Flush toilets |
Firewood supplied |
Own towels Soap Toilet paper Cutlery/crockery |
Deelfontein Bush Camp |
3 Thatched huts with 2 rooms Sleeps 16 hikers Beds/mattresses |
Cutlery/crockery Stove Pots/pans Sink |
Basins Showers Baths Flush toilets |
Lapa equipped with gas stove/fridge Firewood supplied |
Own towels Soap Toilet paper
|
Mooihoek Bush Camp |
Large old farm house Beds/mattresses Sleeps 16 hikers |
Gas stove Stove Sink Pots/pans |
Basins Showers Baths Flush toilets |
Firewood supplied |
Cutlery/crockery Own towels Soap Toilet paper |
Thwane Bush Camp |
3 Permanent tents Sleeps 30 hikers Beds/mattresses |
Pots/pans Cutlery Glasses Fridge/freezer |
Basins Showers Baths Flush toilets |
Swimming pool |
|
Self Catering Accommodation on Deelfontein Farm:
- 2 cottages shoud be booked by one group as there is one kitchen shared by both
- Dining room can take up to 30 people
- Kitchen well equipped
- Braai facilities at cottage without kitchen.
- 4 rooms per cottage,
- Cottage 1 has 9 beds, one en-suite bathroom and one other bathroom: showers
- Cottage 2 has 8 beds. One bathroom with shower, toilet and basin
- Bed linden included
- Braai area with wood and grid
- R200.00 pppd
- R55.00 admin fee once off per reservation
Trail Options at Vredefort Meteorite Trails:
2 DAY BACKPACK OPTIONS:
1. Thwane – Deelfontein:
Day 1: B Thwane – Deelfontein (North): 8km.
Day 2: A Thwane – Deelfontein (South): 4km.
2. Thwane – Mooihoek:
Day 1: B Thwane – Deelfontein (North): 8km. AND K Mooihoek – Deelfontein (South): 7km.
Day 2: L Mooihoek – Deelfontein (North): 6km. AND A Thwane – Deelfontein (South): 4km.
3.Baskop – Deelfontein
Day 1: H Baskop – Mooihoek: 8km. AND K Mooihoek – Deelfontein (South): 7km. OR L Mooihoek – Deelfontein (North): 6km.
Day 2: E Deelfontein -- Baskop: 8km.
THIS TRAIL CAN ALSO BE DONE CLOCKWISE FROM DEELFONTEIN, PAST MOOIHOEK TO BASKOP, SLEEP OVER, 8KM ON SECOND DAY BACK TO DEELFONTEIN.
4. Mooihoek – Baskop
Day 1: K Mooihoek – Deelfontein (South): 7km. OR L Mooihoek – Deelfontein (North): 6km.
AND
E Deelfontein -- Baskop: 8km
Day 2: H Baskop – Mooihoek: 8km.
THIS TRAIL OPTION CAN ALSO BE DONE CLOCK WISE TO SLEEP AT DEELFONEIN.
5. Mooihoek – Deelfontein:
Day 1 – Total distance 16 KM: H Baskop – Mooihoek: (You will do this part clock wise from Mooihoek to Baskop) 8km. AND E Deelfontein - Baskop: (You will do it clockwise Baskop – Deelfontein) - 8km.
Day 2 Distance 6 Or 7 km. Please note description of trail anti-clockwise from Mooihoek to Deelfontein. You will have to read "backwards" as you will do this part clock wise from Deelfontein to Mooihoek)
K Mooihoek – Deelfontein (South): 7km. OR L Mooihoek – Deelfontein (North): 6km.
3 Day Options:
Mooihoek – Thwane – Baskop
Deelfontein – Mooihoek – Thwane
Deelfontein - Mooihoek – Baskop :Starting at any of the camps
4 Day Options:
All 4 huts are visited in any order you prefer. Southern trail from Deelfontein to Thwane is the shortest leg of this network of trails
Day Trail Options:
Starting point: THWANE BUSH CAMP
a – Thwane internal loop ± 8 km
b – Thwane/Deelfontein loop – 12 km
c – Thwane/Deelfontein/Mooihoek back to Thwane loop - ± 24 km
d – Loop past all trail camps: ± 34 km
Starting point: DEELFONTEIN
a – 2 x short loops from Deelfontein of app 1.5 hrs and 2.5 hrs
b – Deelfontein / Thwane loop ± 12 km
c – Deelfontein / Mooihoek loop ± 13 km
d – Loop from Deelfontein past Baskop and Mooihoek camps 22 – 23 km
e – Loop past all trail camps: ± 34 km
Starting point: MOOIHOEK
a – Mooihoek loop ± 3 km
b - Mooihoek / Deelfontein loop ± 13 km
c – Loop from Mooihoek past Baskop and Deelfontein camps 22 – 23 km
d – Loop past all trail camps: ± 34 km
e – Loop Mooihoek/Thwane/Deelfontein ± 24 km
Starting point: BASKOP
a – 2 Baskop day trails of 4 and 8 km
b – Baskop – Mooihoek – Deelfontein – Baskop loop ±22 – 23 km
d – Loop past all trail camps: ± 34 km