Planning a trip to the old Transkei in August/September 2011 - Need some help?

[Ian G]

My wife and I are planning a holiday in August/September into the old Transkei and need some input from people that's been there. We plan to travel from Rustenburg to Pietermaritzburg and stay over for the first night. From here we are not so sure how to aprouch the Wild coast as we have never been in this part of the country.

We are driving down in a '92 300GD LWB G-Wagon, and looking forward to explore the country for three weeks.

Anybody out there that can assist us to where we can obtain maps and other aids and that can recomend stay-over places that is safe to assist us with exploring such a nice looking country. We are planning on leaving the Transkei at East London and the back to Rustenburg.

Thanking you,

Ian Bester

[Gelände]

Sorry Ian, cant really help you with 1st hand advice, but I can recommend you buy a Slingsby Map, they are excellent. See http://www.slingsbymaps.com/wildcoast.aspx

Arnold also knows that are quite well, if he doesn't reply here, maybe send him a PM.

[Ian G]

Danie,

Thank you, I will definitely look into it.

G-thanks,
Ian

[Chris B]

Ian, see artikel about 'Wildekus' in Wegry magazine Apr'11.

Few years back we camped in Koffie bay at a place called White Clay- beautiful view!

[Arnold Ross]

Ian

So you want to come and play in my back yard?

I've been to the Transkei very many times. I know a lot of trails (from gravel to very hairy!) and every time I enjoy the experience. I've actually spoke to a few people over the years about doing a nice trip, but the only people that have done so has been Johan Marx and Danie Opperman.

For a 2 week trip you would also be able to see some of our other awesome 4x4 routes in the area as well.

Maps that I have found usefull in the past is Tracks4Africa and I have got some othere routes that is not on T4A as well.

Regards,

Arnold

[Ian G]

Arnold,

Thanks for the reply. If you have any suggestions on accommodation and places to see, please let me know as I plan to spend nearly three weeks in the area and I do want to go to East London as I have not been there ever. Please PM me with as much info you have.

"G"-Thanks,
Ian

ps. as you can see I am still a newbe in this 4x4 thing, so I would not like to tackle any hairy situations on my own. Just keep that in mind. Thank you

[Gelände]

Ian, since you have 3 weeks...I suggest you do a few of the Eastern Cape mountain passes on the southern side of Lesotho (in the Rhodes area) on your way to EL. They are great scenic drives and don't even require low range.

See attached pictures of Joubert and Naude's Nek Pass