I had failed on my last three attempts to ride through the Hela Hela pass, up to the Qunu Falls and back to Durban. Two were because of severe rain, and the last time was one of those rides where we explored a few Kilometers down a side track and just kept riding. It was great, but we ended up skipping the pass and the falls.
Today we (777 and myself) responded to an invite to visit Mr and Mrs Badger who had camped overnight in the Highover Nature Reserve which is in the middle of the pass on the banks of the Mkomazi river.
From our meeting point in Pinetown we cruised up the N3 via Umlaas Road to Richmond and then down into the Mkomazi Valley
Looking down towards the Mkomazi Valley. The Berg is in the background
First stop on the bridge over the Mkomazi.
A few Km later we turned off into the Highover Nature reserve and Found Mr and Mrs Badger in the very last camping spot near the river. On the way down we saw Impala, Pajamadonkies, and a very startled bushbuck. They had an amazing spot, and next trip to the Zulu Kingdom I will bring the tent and stuff and spend a night in the reserve.
Met to the owner on the way out, and he confirmed that bikes are welcome as long as they take it easy and don’t make too much noise. MX bikes, quads and noisy pipes are not welcome.
Huge strangler-fig tree.
The Mkomazi flowing nicely.
On the Hela Hela pass
From there Mr Badger joined us on a detour to the Qunu Falls.
The falls are high, vertical and, for someone who suffers from vertigo like me, scary. Unfortunately not much water.
I took this shot by leopard-crawling to the edge, sticking the camera out and clicking and hoping I got something.
777 and The Badger on the edge taking pics – braver than me.
Can just see the falls through the Jungle.
From there it was home on the R56 (which has been totally resurfaced since I last rode it) and home.
Thanks to 777 for the company, and to The Badger for introducing me to Highover and joining us at the falls.
Nest week we go to the Valley !
Today we (777 and myself) responded to an invite to visit Mr and Mrs Badger who had camped overnight in the Highover Nature Reserve which is in the middle of the pass on the banks of the Mkomazi river.
From our meeting point in Pinetown we cruised up the N3 via Umlaas Road to Richmond and then down into the Mkomazi Valley
Looking down towards the Mkomazi Valley. The Berg is in the background
First stop on the bridge over the Mkomazi.
A few Km later we turned off into the Highover Nature reserve and Found Mr and Mrs Badger in the very last camping spot near the river. On the way down we saw Impala, Pajamadonkies, and a very startled bushbuck. They had an amazing spot, and next trip to the Zulu Kingdom I will bring the tent and stuff and spend a night in the reserve.
Met to the owner on the way out, and he confirmed that bikes are welcome as long as they take it easy and don’t make too much noise. MX bikes, quads and noisy pipes are not welcome.
Huge strangler-fig tree.
The Mkomazi flowing nicely.
On the Hela Hela pass
From there Mr Badger joined us on a detour to the Qunu Falls.
The falls are high, vertical and, for someone who suffers from vertigo like me, scary. Unfortunately not much water.
I took this shot by leopard-crawling to the edge, sticking the camera out and clicking and hoping I got something.
777 and The Badger on the edge taking pics – braver than me.
Can just see the falls through the Jungle.
From there it was home on the R56 (which has been totally resurfaced since I last rode it) and home.
Thanks to 777 for the company, and to The Badger for introducing me to Highover and joining us at the falls.
Nest week we go to the Valley !
