Bucklands is about 47 km from the pleasant Karoo town of Steytlerville. If you are looking for “a road less travelled” this is it! Early pioneers and hunters who came up from the Cape in their wagons frequented this historical region, which forms the southern reaches of the Plains of Camdeboo. They came in search of a new life and “white gold” – ivory. They established farms in the valley flanked by the Baviaans and Grootrivier Hoogte that you can visit today. The climate is typically Karoo – dry and healthy with hot days and cold nights.
Bucklands is a 5th generation family farm in the Steytlerville district, in the Karoo. We are about 150 km from Port Elizabeth, 47 km from Steytlerville, 185 km from Graaff Reinet, and 100 km from Patensie and the Baviaanskloof.
Bucklands is ideally situated for a weekend break away from Port Elizabeth, but close enough to the Baviaans Mega Reserve and the Addo Elephant National Park, to combine these destinations in one holiday.
Bucklands Family 4×4 Easter Weekend
The Bucklands 4 x 4 family event will happen every Easter Weekend! The programme makes room for the whole family, but those looking for something serious will have more than enough adrenalin flowing to make it worth their while.
We make room for alternative entertainment for those who choose not to ride all day, so those wanting to relax will have loads of activities to entertain them! Most meals will be catered for, so that everyone can relax and enjoy some free time!
4×4 Tracks and Roads
Grade 3 obstacles are as bad as it gets, with optional play places for the hardebaarde. The road we use on Sunday is steep at places, but high range and diff-lock should be enough. If it gets wet, you may need low range.
The Dam Wall Drive is more technical, but rather easy if you have diff-lock.
The Sand Dunes are difficult but safe, and diff-lock and low range is required. The dunes are low, but soft, and the track is laid out so that momentum is very limited. Most people get through though, but very few get through the first time. It is more or less just right! The chances of damaging your vehicle are very low, and branches are trimmed back to prevent scratching.
The total distance 4×4 driving for the whole weekend should not be more than 200 km, so no extra fuel is required, but come with a full tank, we do not sell fuel.
For more details about the Bucklands Family 4×4 Easter Weekend event on 14 to 17 April 2017.
Directions
From Port Elizabeth:Take the R75 from Port Elizabeth, (the Graaff-Reinet road), to Kleinpoort, about 60km before Jansenville, and about 90km after Uitenhage.
Turn left at Kleinpoort (south) onto the Springbokvlakte gravel road, and follow for 19km, to a T-junction at a farmstead with blue-gum trees and outbuildings with green doors.
Turn right (west) and follow the road for 3km to a small Bucklands sign board at a junction turning left. Turn left, (south), and follow this road for 7km, to a gate at a fork in the road, and a farm workers house on your right hand side. There is another Bucklands signboard.
Keep straight on through gate, and after 200m, keep right (west) at a fork in the road. Drive 3 km, and you will get the Bucklands sign boards, turn left, (south), through the river, and you will get the main farmstead after 300m.
The first 5 km from Kleinpoort is somewhat rough and not advisable for very low cars (like Porches and the like), but after that the road improves and is in good condition all the way to the farm.
From Cape Town:
The shortest and most scenic route is the R62 to Oudtshoorn, from there via De Rust and Barandas to Willowmore. You can also drive to George, over the mountain via Uniondale to Willowmore. From Willowmore, follow the cement road to Steytlerville.
When you enter Steytlerville, turn right onto the gravel road saying Cockscomb or Uitenhage. If you need anything from town, turn left to the hotel, shops and gas station, as this is the last place to buy anything.
Follow the gravel road for 4.5km to a fork in the road, where you can turn left. After 30km take the road turning off to the right, saying Bucklands and Sandpoort. Follow for 10km to the Bucklands sign board and turn sharp right, follow for 300m and you will get coffee!
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Bucklands Guest Farm includes both camping and chalet options.
Camping: Own tents or caravans needed. Ablutions available but very limited power supply, so bring your own silent generator if possible. There is a spotlight lighting up the camping area.
Chalets: Optional accommodation on the farm includes The Poortjie, a two bedroomed chalet (for 5 people) at the main venue, and The Ouwerwe, a 12 sleeper house (2 bedrooms and a dorm), 4.8 km from the main venue, for which own transport by bakkie is required. Five more chalets and a guest house are available on request on neighbouring farms. Own transport required. Distance from venue varies between 5km and 12km.
All additional accommodation, apart from camping, is R300 per person per night.
Activities
Activities include bird watching, game drives, and overnight camps. Explore age-old Bushman (Bushmen) paintings, scenic walks, horse riding and mountain bike routes.
Bucklands is situated at the head of Grootrivierspoort with unforgettable trails and walks down the “poort” amongst yellowwoods, cycads, swimming holes and picnic spots. There are Bushman caves and paintings, as well as a fossil reef said to be 300 million years old!
Adventure excursions are about 2 to 4 days which includes hiking, bushman paintings, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing and sleeping in Bushman caves, etc (own mountain bikes and climbing gear required).
Our Wildlife
Bird and game are abundant. The farm is well known for its pristine beauty, eagle and leopard conservation programs and eco friendly farming methods.
There are 6 major plant biomes forming part of our floura, resulting in about 7 000 plant species (Europe has 700 plant species). We have over 200 bird species, including 4 eagle species of which the black eagle and fish eagle are commonly seen and several breeding pairs are permanent. Visitors will have lots of game to see on day and night game drives and kudu, mountain reedbuck, duiker and steenbuck abounds.