Baviaanskloof Traverse.
6 → 8 Dec 2026 · Grade 4 · 200 km- Willowmore
- Zandvlakte
- Poortjie
- Patensie
The full west-to-east. Willowmore to Zandvlakte is easy gravel; the reserve section to Poortjie is the real thing — narrow, steep, river crossings, no towing service. This is the outer edge of what an XWD T2 should attempt: dry conditions only, convoy support mandatory, and the chapter lead holds a no-go call on river levels the morning of.
The route
Easy gravel through the western kloof — farms, padstals, no drama. Camp at Zandvlakte; vehicle and recovery-point check before dinner, and the river-level call for tomorrow.
Zandvlakte to Poortjie — narrow, steep, the crossings. Slowest day by design. Wildlife active at dusk; no night driving inside the reserve.
Out through the Komdomo gate, where the day-visitor permit is paid in cash. Lunch at the padstal in Patensie, then everyone scatters home.
Requirements
- 2.0T XWD trim, dry-weather window only
- Recovery kit + rated recovery points checked at the gate
- Two nights self-catered camping gear
- Cash for the reserve gate permit — confirm the current amount with ECPTA before you leave
The climb
Altitudes · Mountain Passes South Africa
The road itself
Published figures for the passes on this route. Anything the club could not source is simply not listed.
- Combrink's Pass
- Descends 333 m over 5.5 km through 73 bends
- Mountain Passes South Africa
- Holgat Pass
- 49 bends in 4.7 km, 10 of them sharper than 90°
- Mountain Passes South Africa
- Highest point
- 1 157 m
- dangerousroads
- River crossings
- The road crosses the Baviaans River ten times
- Baviaanskloof Tourism
- Gates
- Close at 16:00, without exception
- Baviaanskloof Tourism
- Fuel and signal
- Neither exists in the kloof — fill at Willowmore or Patensie
- Baviaanskloof Tourism
Where it runs
Willowmore → Zandvlakte → Poortjie → Patensie