Bushwakka Off-road 4x4 Trailers

MAVURADONHA

VAN WYKSDORP ( CLICK FOR MAP)

GPS:S 33 45 289 E021 27 378

Nestled along the banks of the Groot River, is a rustic private camp site called Mavuradonha, perfectly suited for a quite break away weekend into the country. Peace and tranquillity sets the scene for an ideal opportunity to recharge those batteries, wake up to the call of the fish eagle or the bark of the baboons and decide if you just want to lie in or go for that long awaited country walk. The camp site offers fantastic bird watching with over 150 bird species already spotted in Mavuradonha and the Sand River Bird Sanctuary. Large grassed camps within an Acacia Karoo Biome on the banks of the Groot River, that runs into the Gouritz some 40 km down stream, with rustic ablution facilities and hot showers offering a true African bush feel in which to savour those brightly lit starry Karoo nights.

Camping ficilities: Access to Mavuradonha is via a good graded gravel road from the R62 and then along a short narrow track into the reserve, not suitable for normal caravans.( View map for road directions) The Main camp area offers a large grass area with 220 V power, drinking water, braai facilities, hot showers, washing up facilities, flush toilets and a splash pool with a view. If you are looking for more privacy and are self sufficient then there are a few camps which offer hot water showers, bush toilets and drinking water, but no 220 V power supply. Wood and ice available on request.

Activities: Mavuradonha is situated in walking distance from the picturesque rural village of Van Wyksdorp which is situated below the foothills of the Rooiberg mountain range. Van Wyksdorp with its colourful people and history as a remote farming settlement dating back to the 1820 was once a thriving community engaged in wheat and appricot production together with dairy and meat products produced on a variety of small holdings that today have still not been transformed by development. Van Wyksdorp offers the visitor hours of strolling through its gravel streets viewing the old architecture and not to forget the magnificent church which is always the centre to these small tucked away villages forgotten in time,or you can pop into the famous coffee shop, for coffee and cake or stay for lunch and in the morning they make a mean farmers breakfast.
In 1981 , the Laingsburg flood ended the SAR bus service that linked the Hamlet of Van Wyksdorp with the surrounding towns putting its commercial viability at risk. At the same time climate change had made early rainfall, necessary for growing wheat, unreliable in an already water scarce Little Karoo.

During the last decade, mostly English speaking people have retired to the Hamlet and helped revive interest in the charm of this very historical heritage.

The area offers great outdoor riding for mountain bike enthusiasts and excellent hiking into the foothills. If you are not the energetic type, then drive your car along the numerous gravel roads in the area or pack your picnic basket and drive up the Rooiberg pass heading to Calitzdorp to sip your sundowners as you marvel at the fantastic panoramic views while watching the sun dip behind the far off Langeberg mountain range. The Rooiberg Pass runs through spectacular scenery and one is aware that it is part of the Gouritz Biodiversity Corridor and the Cape Floristic Region, recognized internationally as the smallest and richest of the world's six floral kingdoms. The region is also one of the world's most threatened hotspots. These places are hotspots where exceptional exceptional biodiversity occurs. The area, flanked by the Langeberg, Swartberg and Rooiberg mountain ranges, isolates a large unspoilt landscape that is having to resist encroachment of development. Identified as a last remaining wilderness by the new residents, continious campaigning by organizations that include, Cape Nature. WWF, The Gouritz Biosphere, and The Rooiberg South Conservancy, continuously engage with major development proposals that intend to transform this natural landscape for ever. Time is never enough when visiting and if possible try and allow for at least 3 night camp overs, but guaranteed you will be back again as soon as you can. There are shops, a bottle store and fuel is available in the village, which stock almost everything you may need or have forgotten at home. They bake fantastic bread rolls, make pork sausages to die for and if you like a good bit of lamb then you will not be dissappointed.

Directions: There are a few ways to get there ,from Mosselbay via Herbitsdale, Riversdale via Garcia pass, Calitzdorp via Rooiberg pass or the most commonly used route via the R62 Ladismith. The turn off for Van Wyksdorp is situated on the R62, 10Km south of Ladismith and is a good graded gravel road for 33 km to the village. Once you reach the village of Van Wyksdorp carry on passed untill you reach the 2nd entrance. On your RHS to the village, directly opposite you will see a large brick pillar entrance to Mavuradonha and the Bird Sanctuary. For more details click on the link to Google maps.