The morning of 22.09.2021 did not start too friendly. While Andreas still had to fight half the day with stomach cramps, Mel was “attacked” by seven chickens during her morning cigarette. These did not stop even before the 3 domestic dogs, which in turn made a wide berth around these chickens.

So, contrary to our strict schedule, we took it a little easier – which was to be our undoing later on.

Mel was driving that morning, we stopped at a gas station later to enjoy a late “breakfast”. There was a kind of toast burger and a “Russian Roll” (a kind of hot dog, flavored at a slightly smoked bockwurst with lots of ketchup).

On our further way to Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge we also used the highway (N3) again. Unfortunately, it suddenly flashed – due to the forest of signs we were not aware of any guilt. In hindsight it was either 10 or 30km/h too much. We will see what will become of it.

To be exact, we had not been on the way to the lodge, but to the parking lot of the Sentinel Trail. In order to get to this one had to turn off approx. 2km before the lodge, in order to put back still further 7km up to the parking lot. And exactly at this turnoff we were standing now. A way, as no internet research had described him sufficiently. Andreas made 2 more attempts – but spinning tires and the conditions let us fail here (to master this scree slope successfully, you absolutely need real 4×4 and minimum 30cm ground clearance).

So we drove to the lodge to find out if there was some kind of shuttle to the parking lot. There was indeed such a shuttle service. Unfortunately, it was already 12:30 p.m. and due to the security on the “hiking trail” no one was allowed to start the tour after 11, maximum 12 o’clock.

Disillusionment spread across our faces, as now our entire schedule for the rest of the vacation was thrown into disarray – completely. In the car sparked a longer, heated discussion about what we should do now. After an hour, optimism “won” over reason – which should lead to minor problems in the further course of the trip.

So we booked a night in the lodge, in the cheapest backpacker “room” (60€, shared accommodation, a kind of barrack away from the main buildings). We were the only people in this barrack and there was no water running. After we had tried everything to play the temporary plumbers, Andreas went to the reception to report the problem. After 10min he returned – with a free upgrade to a standard room.

To enjoy some more of the day, we decided to take another short hike that would take us to 2 waterfalls – Mahai Falls. The weather was good, the sun was shining and our mood had improved again when we left.

The path was good to go and so we reached the waterfalls quite quickly. Unfortunately, these did not lead very much water. It was rather a small trickle. Since we were curious, as always, we did not go back the same way, but followed the path – Maps.me confirmed that it would be a circular route.

Our way led us past rock formations, through a small forest and 2 times we had to cross a river. Far and wide we were the only people and so there was some time for Andreas to finally start the drone that he had been carrying around the whole vacation.

After taking a wrong turn and once again putting ourselves in slight danger because we thought we were mountain goats, we decided to go all the way back the way we had come. So the little hike turned into something more. We reached the lodge a bit exhausted only shortly after the sun had set. In the restaurant we let the evening fade away, the next morning we should be brought 6 o’clock by the shuttle to the said parking lot.

  • Do we see desperation here?