Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 60, July 2014 | Page 36
GREAT TRAILS O
F SOUTH AFRICA
MODJAD
JI NATUR
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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
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ISSUE 60 JULY 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za
36
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