About 45 minutes after leaving the beacon, we arrived at a river bed which is usually dry. We crossed the river course several times and decided to take another short break to top up our energy levels with some nuts and raisins, biltong (good protein) and some energy bars. After following the river bed for about 30 minutes we came to a jeep track, but after just a few metres a signpost directed us to turn left. A steep uphill slog of 20 minutes awaited us until we emerged at the old restaurant complex.
An easy 15 minute walk along a tar road took us past the Augeigas Dam back to the start, just over three hours after setting off. The dam with its 31.5 m high wall was built in 1933 following the devastating drought of 1931/2. A rich variety of waterbirds, as well as game, are attracted to the dam when it contains water. But unfortunately it had received little inflow during the past rainy season and we saw only a solitary duck on what little water was left.
WAG-‘N-BIETJIE TRAIL
The Wag-‘n-Bietjie Trail is a shorter and easier option, suitable for families with children. Starting near the office, the trail follows a dry river course for 1.5 km to the Stengel Dam which is usually dry after poor summer rains, but after a good rainy season the dam attracts a variety of birds. The trail owes its name to the common Afrikaans name of the buffalo thorn: ‘Wag-‘n-bietjie’, which means ‘wait a bit.’ As the name suggests, you can easily get caught up in the sharp, hooked thorns on its branches.