MOOLMANSHOEK PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

WHAT?

Moolmanshoek has been around since the mid 1800s; it was once a working farm that focused on cash crops and cattle. However, in 1996, this third-generation farm suffered a roof-crushing snowfall of nearly 1.5-metres. The snowfall caused extensive damage to the farm buildings, so much so that the owners decided to ditch their crops and focus on the tourism market. At more or less the same time, the farm also introduced wild game to the area, along with three 4x4 trails.

Today, Moolmanshoek is best known for their 4x4 guides who lead on horseback. This allows the guides to move quickly through the convoy and direct less-experienced 4x4 drivers on the trail. That said, all three routes are by guide only, and require a minimum number of three vehicles and a maximum of 15.

WHERE?

Roughly 40 minutes from Ficksburg (near Lesotho’s northern border), the farm (or private reserve) is 3 300 hectares in size, and is bounded by tall sandstone rock – a horseshoe-shaped mountain is wrapped around a valley of grass-covered plains, underground springs and rustling reeds.

WHY?

Whether you’re avoiding the N1, heading to Lesotho, or dashing to the Drakensberg for a holiday, Moolmanshoek is the perfect stopover for 4x4 enthusiasts or outdoor family folk.

With its boundless mountain views, golden cliffs and wide-open spaces, the trails at Moolmanshoek are presented as scenic drives only, and not as challenging 4x4 courses. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t any thrilling sections to tackle, and you should also expect a few rocky step-downs, smooth-faced ascents, and the odd muddy cross-axle.

Other activities at Moolmanshoek include game drives, night drives, hiking, fly-fishing, abseiling, mountain biking − and their most popular attraction, horse riding.

WHEN?

There aren’t many provinces that can top the Free State’s magnificence in winter, when it is a majestic place of leaf-filled streams, frosted rocks, and a thousand tones of amber gold. However, regardless of season, the farm has something to offer all year round.

HOW?

The three trails (Langesnek, Visierskerf and Kiepersol Garden) all boast the same grade-3 rating, but each trail is a different length and offers a unique perspective on the reserve. Kiepersol, for instance, is a 20km track that takes about four to five hours to complete. The trail crosses the nature reserve and heads through Sugarbush proteas and indigenous bush.

The Langesnek trail is approximately 10km long and takes two to three hours to finish. This trail starts in a wetland area, crosses large sandstone plates and makes its way to an expansive plateau with panoramic views.

Lastly, Kiepersol Garden is an 8km drive of two to three hours. This trail also treks over sandstone rock, through some arduous obstacles, and ends on the southern side of the mountain range.

To minimise the environmental impact of the 4x4 routes, the owners at Moolmanshoek have chosen to use as much of the sandstone rock as possible. The spin-off benefit is that the rocky plates typically offer the best views from the mountain’s slopes, and (because of Moolmanshoek’s horseshoe shape) there are ample camera-pointing opportunities.

           

In terms of vehicle requirements, the routes are not softroader friendly (mainly because of clearance issues), and even low-range vehicles such as the Suzuki Grand Vitara may battle. So, check your clearances and remove your running boards if necessary.

GPS

S28° 37.939

E27° 59.990

PROVINCE

Free State

NEAREST TOWN

Ficksburg (43km)

TERRAIN TYPE

Rock and grassveld

GUIDED / SELF DRIVE

Guided only

OPEN

All year round

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

3 to 4 (depending on how wet the route is)

SOFT-ROADER FRIENDLY

No

ACCOMMODATION

There are multiple accommodation options available at Moolmanshoek. Spoil your spouse and book a luxury room, or get a group of mates together and book out the reserve’s dormitory… or you could keep things natural, and camp.

CONTACT

Call (051) 933 2220, or visit www.moolmanshoek.co.za