Southern Drakensberg, Eastern Cape
New England & Wartrail, Barkly East, Eastern Cape, Mountain Holidays
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- Hiking
- Fly-fishing
- River rafting
- Tubing
- Horse Riding
- Rock Art
- Historical Interest
- 4x4 trails
- Birding
- Hunting
- Star gazing
- Scenic drives
- Flora, Gardens & Botanicals
- Wild buck
- Mountain Biking
- Motor Biking
- Running
- Raspberry picking
- Clay pigeon shooting
- Rock pools & waterfalls
- Wing shooting
- Farm activities
- Relaxation
- Close to Tiffindell Ski Resort
- Activities
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- 8 Mountain Passes
- Tours
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- Contact Details
- Map
- Contact Details
What's Been Happening:
WARTRAIL & NEW ENGLAND CTO DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY SENQU MUNICIPALITY
The Bruce Sephton Tennis Academy & the Masibambane Knitting Project, both based in Wartrail, started the new year with a wonderful surprise! Both projects were the recipients of funds donated by the Senqu Municipality Mayor's Grant-In-Aid Fund.
The Wartrail & New England Community Tourism Organisation applied for the funding at the end of 2008. The donations will go towards purchasing racquets & tennis clothing for the members of the tennis academy; and purchasing knitting equipment & skills training for the members of the knitting project.
The Bruce Sephton Tennis Academy was started by Mrs Janet Viedge in April 2008. Mrs Viedge takes 24 children from the Wartrail Farm School for tennis lessons at the Wartrail Sports Club for 2 hours a week. The Wartrail Sports Club have donated old tennis balls and the use of their facilities to the Academy The Tennis Academy aims to encourage the school children to play a sport and in so doing, teaching the children valuable life skills such as sport etiquette, playing by rules, listening to instructions, respect for authority & fellow players. Getting involved in sport promotes a healthy lifestyle through exercise, encourages the children to interact with peers of all ages, develops competitiveness and a character of sportsmanship. The children experience a feeling of achievement and gain confidence in their skills & abilities. The children will hopefully be participating in the local tennis tournament later this year.
The Masibambane Knitting Project was started in May 2008. The 15 members of the Masibambane Knitting Project are trained & mentored by Mrs Jesseme Viedge, Mrs Muriel Isted & Mrs Kath Isted. The overall objective of the Project is to encourage rural women to start their own businesses by supplying them with skills training in a craft, supplying equipment & a local outlet for their products. The ladies are currently knitting beanies, scarves & children's jerseys and they sell their quality products to tourists & visitors to the area, through the Woolly's in Wartrail Craft Shop on Reedsdell Farm.
The Wartrail & New England CTO, the Bruce Sephton Tennis Academy & the Masibambane Knitting Project would like to thank the Senqu Municipality & the Mayor for these much-needed funds, as well as their support for these worth-while projects.
Wild Mountain Adventures - explore Wild Mountain Country by foot, peddle, hoof and paddle
Wartrail and New England continue to grow the extensive list of activities available in our stunning mountains with the launch of River Rafting trails on the beautiful Kraai and a new multi-day adventure trail.
Wild Mountain Adventures is now running summer rafting trips on the Kraai River in their two-man inflatable boats. The trips consist of a gentle paddle on scenic rivers so no previous experience is required. These laid-back and fun trips are available to anyone staying in the surrounding area and your Guest Farm hosts can help you to make the necessary arrangements.
For those feeling more adventurous, Wild Mountain Adventures is also offering the unique opportunity for you to explore our beautiful mountains and valleys by foot, pedal, hoof and paddle. Their multi-day 'slackpacking' trips will guide you from farmstay to farmstay via hiking trails, mountain bike, horseback and finally river rafting on the Kraai. The itineraries are flexible according to experience, preferred activities and fitness levels, so are just as suitable for family groups as for the hardcore adventure enthusiast. These tours will guide you from mountain peaks down to river gorges taking in bushman paintings, caves, rock-formations and wonderful birdlife along the way.
Accommodation is provided in beautiful and remote Guest Farms. There is even an option to camp overnight in a huge riverside cave and sleep like a bushman for the night. Your hosts will provide catering, guiding services and equipment, leaving you to just enjoy the ride!
For more information regarding Wild Mountain Adventures call Kate Nelson 079 536 3996 or visit www.wildmountainadventures.co.za
Annual Events:
Wartrail Tri-Challenge (run, cycle, canoe)
Date: 20-23rd March 2009
Initiated in 2000 and based on the Primal Action Skyrun, the Wartrail Tri Challenge is a hybrid eco-triathlon - iron man type extension, with an Adventure Race attitude.
Day 1 - 80km Skyrun: Encountering 'Heartland' that has not really been exposed to the South African public with the very Southern Berg, Skyrun traverse from Lady Grey to Balloch at an average of 2500 metres.
Day 2 - 140km Mountain Bike: A stunning Mountain Bike encounter over Lundeans Nek with a radical 10 km downhill, followed by a south western Lesotho Border tour, infamous 'dagga' smuggling tradition on the Telle River. Your 'watering points' are the traditional 'Trading Store' encountered en route, in the Herschel District. Returning to Lady Grey Majuba Nek, Mlamli via Sterkspruit at about 100 km, with 40 km of tar road at the finish gives a good 8 - 9 hour 'spin' for us tail enders. Total is 140km on your bike.
Day 3 - 70km Paddle: A final day 'down river' paddle on the Orange River from Mdlokovana village starts with a 10 km grade 1 type rapids and ends in Aliwal North after 70km.
Contact:
Adrian Saffy. Cell: 082 566 5668 E-mail: saffyav@icon.co.za
Margy Frost. Phone: 045 971 8904 E-mail:frost@balloch.co.za
SA Skiing & Snowboarding Championships
Date: TBA
Held at Tiffindell Ski Resort. Come and enjoy South Africa's best pit their skills against each other.
Contact:
Tiffindell Ski Resort or visit www.snow.co.za
140km Skyrun Eco-challenge
Date: 28-29th November 2009
This is rated as the toughest off-road race in the country. A one or two day event with overnight stop at Balloch. Following the skyline from Lady Grey to Ben Macdhui at Tiffindell Ski Resort, test your fitness on a route that does not follow a road or even pathways while enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery in South Africa.
Experience the privilege of the mountains as never before!
Contact:
Margy Frost. Phone: 045 971 8904 E-mail:frost@balloch.co.za
Wartrail 2-day MTB Challenge
Date: TBA for 2009
A 2-day Mountain Biking Challenge which has been going for 5 years.
A fun day for the family with a kids MTB route, jumping castles and great food!
Visit the web-site for more information, route details and entry forms.
Contact:
Race Organiser, Ray Sephton on 045 971 9087 or faskally@barkly.co.za
Web-site:
www.wartrailmtb.co.za
Cricket - double wicket
Date: TBA
Held at the Wartrail Country Club, great fun and friendly rivalry!!
Contact:
Chairman, Wartrail Country Club. Rob Mitchell on 045 9749 226.
Cave Carols by Candlelight
Date: TBA
Held at Balloch Caves.
Contact:
Margy Frost on 045 9749 228.
Frank Isted Tennis Tournament
Date: December 2009, exact date TBA
Held at the Wartrail Country Club, a mixed doubles tennis tournament, mixing weak and strong players. Loads of fun for all levels of play.
Contact:
Janet Viedge
045 9749 261
Wartrail Sports Day - Gymkhana, Triathlon and Kiddies Sports
Date: 31st December 2008
Gymkhana, PoloX, Triathlon and Dance held at the Wartrail Country Club
To celebrate the end of the year in style, a gymkhana is held every year in the heart of the majestic mountains of the Southern 'Berg. For those not horse riding, partake in the triathlon, set over short distances and geared for the whole family. Bring along a picnic and enjoy the day. A farmers' fair!
Contact:
Kate Nelson
045 9749 254
Wartrail New Year's Festivities
Date: 31st December 2008
This popular annual dance is not to be missed. Its reputation is known far & wide, captivating visitors and friends year after year. Find out what this years theme is! Come prepared for a PARTY!
Contact:
Chairman, Wartrail Country Club. Rob Mitchell on 045 9749 226.
Other events in surrounding areas
| Event | Where | Date | Description | Contact | |||||
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| Lady Grey Passion Play | Lady Grey 40km from New England |
Easter | The little town of Lady Grey, nestled in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, showcases the Passion Play over the Easter weekend each year. Directed by the talented staff of the Lady Grey Arts Academy (one of only 3 such academies in South Africa), members of the community act out the biblical story of the Resurrection of Christ.Parts of the Passion Play are staged throughout the town - through the streets, at the scenic Lady Grey Dam and the historic NG Kerk, encouraging active participation by the audience. An experience one won't forget. | www.ladygrey.co.za | |||||
| Bells Whiskey Wild Trout Fishing Festival | Rhodes 30km from Wartrail |
March | A wonderful fly-fishing event held in March, with great water and magnificent surroundings. | Joe Sephton 045 971 9088 |
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| Rhodes Ultra-Marathon | Rhodes | July | In July this 52km event is not to missed. The route is from Rhodes, up Mavis Bank, past Tiffindell Ski Resort and down Carlisle's Hoek back into Rhodes. Great fun on the day for family and friends. |
Janet Viedge 045 974 9261 |
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| Lammergeier Mountain Race | Lady Grey | September | Held at the end of September, this is a 24km route, with an 8km mountain section. Beautiful scenery and a wonderful day of fun for the whole family. | Kath Isted 045 974 9900 |
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| Rhodes MTB Challenge | Rhodes | October | This 84.4km race follows Naude's Nek, around past Tiffindell, down the very steep Carlisle's Hoek back into Rhodes. | Hayden Green 045 971 9068 |
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| Mosheshsford Junior Tennis Tournament | Mosheshsford, 15km from Wartrail | December | This tournament is wonderful for children of all ages. | Janet Viedge 045 974 9261 |
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| TC Cup Tennis Tournament | Mosheshsford | Mid December | A mixed doubles tennis tournament, mixing weak and strong players that is held in mid-December. Loads of fun for all levels of play. | Janet Viedge 045 974 9261 |
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