Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 60, July 2014

GREAT TRAILS O F SOUTH AFRICA MODJAD JI NATUR 36 BROUGHT to you by E RESERV E LIMPOP O Words & pics by Jacques Marais, author of: WHAT YOU GET Some cracker technical trails wind up and down the ridges surrounding Modjadji Camp, and you can truly test your climbing ability amidst towering cycads, dense montane forest and savannah grassland as you explore a network of routes totalling up to 15km within the compact reserve. Chances are that you will bump into the resident impala herd, and if you’re really lucky, you may even see the elusive nyala. Night runs may lead to chance encounters with bush babies, giant eagle owls and three different species of night jars. WHERE TO RUN WHY GO Tramp back in time to the Jurassic era to discover a place bristling with towering dinosaur plants in a fantastical corner of far-away Limpopo, near the village of Modjadjiskloof. The Modjadji Nature Reserve has been declared one of South Africa’s natural monuments for its unique cycad forest, which was also the home of the mythical Modjadji Rain Queen in the 16th century, when a Karanga princess fled the Monomotapa Kingdom in what is now Zimbabwe and settled here. Several short trails beckon, but top choice has to be the steep ascent to the picnic site near the main gate. Access the sign-posted footpath approximately 300m from camp en route to the entrance gate, immediately climbing onto a forested ridge. Keep left at the first split, negotiating a rocky outcrop with some stunning cycads as well as panoramic views across the surrounding villages. After 1.3km, you will crest onto a well-defined pathway; keep left and follow this down to the picnic area (2km), then steep steps lead down via a prolific stand of encephalartos giants. you’ll reach a concrete dam wall 300m later (4.4km). A split in the trail 500m later takes you up to the fence line, which you follow to the camp gate road for a run of just on 7km. FAST FACTS: MODJADJI TRAIL TERRAIN: Single-track footpaths MAP: Follow Jacques on www.endomondo.co.za TRAIL MARKINGS: Intermittent signage FACILTIES: Parking, self-catering rondawels, ablutions CELL RECEPTION: Very poor BEWARE: Tree roots, slippery rocks TIME OF YEAR: Great year-round GETTING THERE Modjadji Camp is not reached via the main gate of the nature reserve; instead, turn left at the Tribal Authority Offices onto a gravel road, follow this for a couple of kays, then turn right at the AFRICAN IVORY ROUTE sign. GPS: S23°37.602’ / E30°22.182’ LOCAL INFO: www.africanivoryroute.co.za STAY HERE Check out www.golimpopo.co.za. At 2.9km, keep right at the split past a giant matumi tree – if you go left and cross the stream, you’d reach the camp after a circular run of 4km. I suggest you keep going, though, dipping gradually along a quick-and-easy grassland trail meandering along the course of the stream towards the dam down in the valley. Ignore the ‘Beware Crocodiles’ sign – they’ve either been exterminated or relocated – and The K-Way Men's Mercury Shell Jacket K-Way’s Mercury is a lightweight shell jacket made from 100% nylon rip-stop with a waterproof ﬁnish. The garment is seam-sealed and is also windproof and vapour permeable. It features engineered arm articulation and an integrated, adjustable hood with a reinforced (bonded) visor. Reﬂective logos ensure visibility at night. Available at R1199 from all Cape Union Mart stores. ISSUE 60 JULY 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za 36 More info at www.capeunionmart.co.za. WIN To a K-Way Men’s Mercury Shell Jacket, go to www.modernathlete.co.za and click on the competition link on the homepage. Terms and conditions apply: Multiple entries permitted. Competition open 1 July to 31 July. The Publisher’s decision is ﬁnal, no correspondence will be entered into. 36

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 60, July 2014 | Page 36