Baviaanskloof

The Baviaanskloof runs about two hundred kilometres between the Baviaanskloof and Kouga mountain ranges, and the road through it is the point: tar at each end, and in the middle a rough track with steep passes, river crossings and no services at all. Crossing takes most of a day and needs a high-clearance vehicle, ideally 4x4. The wilderness area covers around 200,000 hectares and forms part of the Cape Floral Region UNESCO listing; seven of South Africa's biomes meet here, which is the ecological claim that keeps it protected. Leopard, kudu, buffalo and baboons live in the valley - the name means valley of baboons. There are a few community and farm stays along the way, but no fuel, no shop and little signal in the central stretch, so it is planned like a small expedition rather than a drive.

What you'll find

• The middle track - a rough 4x4 crossing with passes and river fords, no services.
• The seven biomes - an overlap of vegetation zones that carries the UNESCO listing.
• The two ranges - Baviaanskloof and Kouga mountains walling the valley for 200 km.
• The baboons - the animal the valley is named for, seen throughout.

When to go

March to May and September to November. Two days. Rain closes the fords and the track quickly.

Good to know

The central section genuinely needs 4x4 and clearance - ordinary cars get stuck or damaged. No fuel, no shop and unreliable signal for a full day of driving. Rivers rise fast in rain and vehicles have been swept. Recovery is expensive and slow.

Nearby

Patensie and the citrus valley are east; Willowmore is on the Karoo side.

Key facts