Big Boys and their 4x4 Toys

4X4 Trail in South Africa

A weekend at MontEco Nature Reserve 4X4 Adventure Trail, in the remote hills outside Cape Town, was my first excursion into the growing world of men and their driving machines. Initiation into the 4X4 circle of enthusiasts involved a good deal of bumping around, much sympathising about dented diffs, and subtle handling of damaged egos. Along with a few giggles and new-found camaraderie in a beautiful place.

Dented Diffs!

At strategic places on the boulder-strewn trail, the men would disembark and huddle, with arms crossed and hands on chins, to discuss tactics required for the forthcoming hazard. Women and children stood on the sidelines with video cameras, but no quivering pom poms, frilly skirts or acrobatics to complete the cheerleading.

A 50-degree rocky slope with a hairpin bend (only slight exaggeration but all part of the telling), is no mean feat especially after rain. The first vehicle to negotiate the course, clunked his axle and left traces of his diff on a jutting rock.

This caused some consternation, so the offending section of track was filled in with stones and gravel. The second and third drivers had their moments - like stalling at exactly the wrong time - but escaped without damage to pride or car.

Whether negotiating the trails by 4X4, horseback, mountain bike or on foot, a good night’s rest is ensured at one of the seven new thatched and whitewashed cottages sitting quaintly at the base of a broad valley. For Winter there is an indoor fireplace and for Summer an outdoor braai (barbecue) and stoep (veranda).

One or two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, and a view that can only bring peace into your world. For the hardy there is a remote camp site with few facilities. For the picnicker a lovely shady spot by a huge Eucalyptus tree with a muddy pond at the base of a massive granite boulder worn smooth by ancient glaciers.

God Was In a Good Mood

MontEco Nature Reserve epitomises the best of the Small Karoo - a semi-arid plateau between mountain ranges, with big blue skies and vast rolling hills scattered with low indigenous bush visited by iridescent sunbirds. Golden rock formations rise out of dry rocky river beds and some of the scenery is so breathtaking, that God must have been in a great mood when he created it.