Size: 1608Ha
Section(ownership/servitude): CT (1/3)

Coordinates: 33°31'30.83"S    19°19'34.82"E (1:50 000 map 3319CB Worcester)

Access is for MCSA members only. The general rules for huts and club properties can be found here. For more details contact the Convenor (see the Contact us page).

R.G.T. Nov. 1987, Revised March 1993

HISTORY

The property was purchased in 1987 from Mr. Gerrie van Zyl of the adjacent farm “Somerso” (see 1987 Journal, p. 41) for a price of R72 000,00.  It comprises about 1600 hectares of mountainside running from just above the farmlands to the top of the range and includes the summits of Boesmansberg (1735m), the Camel (1778m) and Mount Superior (1908m) as well as the whole of Waaihoekskloof.  It shares a common boundary with the UCT property “Zuurberg” over which the Club has a servitude right of way, and gives access from the top of the property to the UCT huts to the west and to the Hex River Mountains to the east.

See 1987 Journal, Nevil Fuggle’s article on page 41

ACCESS

After leaving Du Toits Kloof on the N1, turn right onto the Rawsonville road.  Don’t take the Slanghoek turnoff. Take the second turn to the left for Goudini Road, and left again when you reach the Worcester/Wolseley road.  About 1km along it turn right at the "Waaihoek” sign onto a gravel road.  “Somerso” is approximately 4km from the turn-off.  Pass the farmhouse to your right and then left through a gate marked “MCSA” which, if locked, can be opened with the MCSA key.  Follow this road in a northerly direction to “Waaihoeksberg”. There is a padlocked chain on the boundary and a register, both requiring MCSA key.

The owner of Somerso Gerrie van Zyl has created a family trust to be called Elskloof Trust. It is to become a wine farm. His son Christie and his grandson Gerrie are now farming the property and are very helpful to MCSA members. In case of need Christie could be contacted at cell 082-787-5444, Fax 021-873-1494, address: Windmeul, Box 291, Wellington.

PERMITS

None are required, but MCSA stickers must be displayed on cars and membership cards must be carried by all members.  Parties are limited to 8 unless prior arrangements are made with the property convenor.  Guests are limited to 4 per member for day visits and 2 per member for overnight visits.

PARKING

Members may drive as far up to the campsite as their vehicles will permit (approximately 3km from “Somerso”, just inside the boundary) but as the road is upgraded on a regular basis, they will most probably get all the way.

FACILITIES

None, as the property is managed as a wilderness area.  Fires are prohibited at all times – only stoves for cooking.  All rubbish must be carried out.  No dogs are permitted, and soap must not be used in the rivers.  Normal mountain hygiene principles must be followed and no toilet activity must take place within 50m of any stream.  All natural features, flora and fauna are to be protected and left undisturbed. 

NATURAL FEATURES

There is a beaconed track from the campsite to the top of the property.  There is a buchu pickers’ cave half way up. There are four indigenous forests, and Superior Kloof contains numerous crystal clear pools.  Dozens of Gladiolus Cardinalis are to be found in Superior Kloof and the upper sections of Waaihoekskloof, and a great variety of ericas, proteas, buchu and other flora are to be found many of which still need to be identified and catalogued. One rare plant at Waaihoekjsberg is the Leucospermum tottum var. glabrum. It is similar to L. tottum var. tottum. Its distribution is Jan du Toit’s Kloof. Its habitat sandstone slopes, 800-1200m. It is known only from scattered populations, comprising a handful of plants. It flowers October to December. It was discovered in 1921, but only relocated in 1992. (See Sasol PROTEAS, by Tony Rebelo).

WATER

There is ample water in the natural streams.  Please make sure that it remains unpolluted. There are pools for swimming in warm weather.

MANAGEMENT 

The property is managed as a natural wilderness area, and everything should be done to leave it as you find it.  Any members who can positively identify flora or fauna found on the property should pass the information on to the property convenor so that information on the property can be collected and enhanced.