Jimny 20 Passes Challenge: Road Trip 1
- Road Twist SA
- Sep 14, 2024
- 4 min read
The Jimny 20 Passes Challenge started on the 22nd of March 2024, and with all the excitement in the weeks leading up to the start of the challenge, of course, we had to plan one for the first weekend!
Road Trip 1 - Day 1
DEPARTURE
We therefore left on the 25th of March from Cape Town and decided to hit the road.
One of our really good friends from France was visiting at that time. We were not too sure if she would get into the style of our funny adventures on the road, so we decided to play it safe and do some easy passes while also showing her some of the "TO DO IN CAPE TOWN" activities. Not having received our Goodie Bags from Suzuki George yet, we actually printed our own stickers for the car.
So here we go, heading in the direction of Franschhoek.
Road Trip 1 - Day 1
FRANSCHOEK PASS
We stopped in Franschhoek at the market and knowing that the first pass we would do was the Franschhoek Pass, we had a fun idea to try and impersonate every pass we would go through. Yes, we do have those funny thoughts sometimes. We found some French berets at the market, a baguette, got some tasty nuts for the road and of course some groceries for dinner, and started the beautiful road to the Franschhoek Pass. The weather was not really with us, but the mist on the pass made it so mystical that we actually thoroughly enjoyed the drive..
Road Trip 1 - Day 1
BURGER'S PASS
From there, we continued towards Villiersdorp and then joined the R62 towards Montagu, going through the stunning Kogmanskloof Pass. Even though this pass is not part of our list, it is definitely one to experience in your lifetime! We stopped in Montagu at the Die Kloof Farm Stall because we knew the next stop was "Burger's Pass." So yes, we did order burgers for takeaway and here is one of our most flattering pictures out there! Burger's Pass was such a nice drive, an easy road crossing through some cute little dorps and agricultural lands. We had booked a sunset safari at Aquila, so after all of our small distractions along the way, we did have to rush a little at that point. No surprise there...
Road Trip 1 - Day 1
END OF DAY
We arrived at Aquila right on time, only to realize that they do know what they are doing. They give a time and the game drive only starts 30 minutes later. Smart! We, therefore, had time for a quick little beer, stretch our legs, and get ready to jump on their game viewer for a 1.5-hour game drive.
Because we never keep it so simple, we wanted to show our friend our beloved Tankwa and decided to book accommodation at Hartnekskloof. Considering our stunning looks and sexy accents, the host was absolutely convinced we would never arrive at the destination. Little did she know that we know the Tankwa and the R355 very well and above all, we drive a Jimny! So yes, we drove from Touws River to Tankwa; the sky was purple, and the full moon was huge when we left, and we obviously arrived in the dark. We were hosted by Susan, who was super helpful and friendly, had a quick chat, settled down in our perfect little cottage, and started the fire for a traditional South African Braai and some campfire stories under the beautiful sky of Tankwa.
Road Trip 1 - Day 2
A LITTLE BIT OF TANKWA
After a peaceful night and a delicious leftover braai scramble, we were ready to hit the road again. We decided to visit Rooidakkies just a few kilometers away from Hartnekskloof, where we had some fun bush pub conversations. Our French friend was very taken aback by being offered Tequila at 10:00 in the morning, which led to good laughs for the rest of the road. We then stopped at the famous Tankwa Padstal that we love so much for a browse in the shop and a refreshment.
Road Trip 1 - Day 2
GYDO'S PASS
Now on our way towards the Katbakkies Pass (not part of the pass challenge but absolutely stunning!), we stopped briefly to enjoy the quietness of the mountains and the beautiful views before making our way to Gydo’s Pass.
We found out that Gydo is a word of San origin that means Milkbush. Well, luckily we had milk with us, so we only had to find a bush for the picture. The drive down offers a stunning view of Prince Alfred Hamlet and the region.
Road Trip 1 - Day 2
MITCHELL'S PASS
We then made our way to Ceres, stopped to find some Ceres Juice, and decided to take a picture on Mitchell’s Pass with our juice bottles in hand! We had a look at the beautiful view and the train tracks, and then made our way to one of our favorite padstals - Hillbilly! They make great pizzas, have a great beer selection, and also showcase some fun and quirky items to purchase. PS: Their chilli sauces are incredible. After our late lunch at Hillbilly, we then drove back home to unpack, shower, and relax with our heads full of memories of the weekend!
Road Trip 1
CONCLUSION
We had such a great time! It was very interesting for us to take Burger's Pass to cross from Montagu to the Tankwa area. That's not something we had done before, and it's a beautiful drive.
None of those passes were difficult, and except for the part of our trip that was on the R355, any vehicle could do the job! If you don't like driving for too many hours, you could consider staying a night in Montagu; there are plenty of fun accommodations in the area.
Want to read about all of our Jimny 20 Passes Challenge road trips?
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