Directions

There are a couple of alternate routes to Kaapse Hoop via Ngodwana

To miss the toll gate at Machadodorp which costs R58; After Belfast, the countryside starts changing, gentle undulations give way to hills and valleys, before you reach the mountains. On the right, you‘ll pass the battle of Berg en Dal monument ( It looks like an art deco spaceship and commemorates the ZARPs who died fighting the British )

Afterwards the N4 starts to descend, past St Michiel's and a series of dams on the left. At the bottom of a steep hill the road will rise then fall again giving you a view of Milly’s overlooking the lake. 3 km s after Milly‘s you‘ll reach a 80km/h zone ( A favourite place for traffic cops, so watch out! ) Pass the turn into Machadodorp on the right. Just past the petrol station on top of the hill on your left you will see the Dullstroom/Farrefontein turn off. This dirt road is 17km long and comes out above the toll gate. It varies from reasonable to atrocious ( Depending when they last graded it ) so I don ‘t recommend it if you like to travel over 60km/h, stick to the highway. Recently it’s not been too bad, just the odd shallow gulley caused by rain. It ‘s a pleasant drive with plenty of birdlife. About halfway you will come to a 4 way stop not always well sign posted, so just look for the first crossroads and turn to the right, this will take you back to the highway. The dirt road will take you a little longer, it’s about 13kms more, but petrol won‘t be much more, as you will miss the steep uphill that the highway takes to the toll gate.

Ngodwana via Schoemanskloof

After the toll gate at Machadodorp the road splits, the normal shorter route is to the right via the tunnel at Waterval Boven. If you take the left fork the road goes via Schoemanskloof ( Follow the Nelspruit/Mbombela sign posts until you reach the T junction ). This route is perhaps 40km further, over the mountains rather than through Elands Valley, but there are fewer trucks if the N4 is busy. When you reach the T junction you will have passed Ngodwana, so must turn right, back towards Machadodorp. When you see Sappi at Ngodwana look for the sign post for Kaapse Hoop turning left before you reach the Sappi factory.

If you are coming via Waterval Boven when you reach Ngodwana look out for the old brick lime kilns on your right, as you are passing the Sappi factory on your left.

Please don't forget to bring:
• Camera
• Swimming costumes
• Towels and toiletries (linen is provided)
• Charcoal for braaing
• Provisions can be acquired at Spar, situated at Ngodwana by the turn-off from the highway
• A broad brimmed hat and good walking shoes