Overnight trip to Bezhoek Private Nature Reserve and Tented Camp

It's not to often that I get away for a 1 nighter, the Proudly Meerkat guys arranged a one nighter to the Bezhoek Private Nature Reserve and Tented Camp, which is roughly 1 hour east of Centurion, located in the Olifants River Gorge area, between Witbank and Middelberg. The route took us some along some sandy, read happiness, gravel roads between the R25 and Witbank and took under 2 hours to get there. The camp setup is really well though out, with a number of luxury safari tents and then the main complex is where the meals are served and has a pool. The bar works on an honesty system and all guests have access to a well stocked fridge. Another highlight of the trip was the food, we started with chicken wraps for lunch, for dinner we had freshly baked bread and a healthy plate of food, with the breakfast being preceded with coffee and rusks at the BezHoek dam, followed by a full breakfast back at the lodge. After lunch we headed out onto one of the many routes to put the sand riding skills to the test and best of all do some game viewing directly from the bikes, this is a privilege and was an incredible experience. The riding wasn't to technical and there was literally one shortish rock garden, with a few rock steps, to conquer. As part of the afternoon ride, we were treated to sundowners on the escarpment that overlooks the Olifants River Gorge, what an view, with another beaut of an African sunset. Being a bunch of typical South African males, we needed to keep to tradition and have a "bokdrol spoeg" competition, always a good laugh - see if you can spot the launched kudu droppings mid air? We were treated to a stunning African night sky and what a privilege it was to have Gian Geyser, a professional photographer in our midst. Sunday morning started with a nice ride through the reserve, with loads of baboons, wildebeest, impala, springbok and the Eland being spotted. We headed to the Bezhoke Dam for coffee and rusks, before heading back for a full breakfast and the homeward bound. I can highly recommend heading out to Bezhoek Private Nature Reserve and Tented Camp for a peaceful getaway that isn't to far from Gauteng. Navigation: A GPX route file wasn't created, as I was joining and organised ride and used the navigation to see where we were and find alternate routes, while out and about. Luggage: Main luggage was 2 x Kriega OS-18 Adventure Pack bags, attached to the Kriega OS Base and then the Kriega OS-6 Adventure Pack bag for my tools, the tools are in the Kriega Tool Roll. The tool bag is attached to the rear rack, a Perun Moto Large Billet Rack, with the Kriega OS Rack Loops. I used the Giant Loop Zig Zag handlebar bag to carry some basic tools and Alpine ear plugs and the Uswe Outlander 9 hydration bag and 2l Uswe bladder, in the bag I had some snacks and a cap, for the harsh African sun (it's even brutal in winter). Riding Gear: Helmet - KTM Explorer Helmet (LS2 Explorer MX701) Boots - Alpinestar Tech 7 (Enduro version) Pants - Leatt Flow Tour 7.5 (Stealth Colour) Jacket - Leatt Flow Tour 7.5 (Stealth Colour) Gloves - Leatt X Flow Adv 7.5 (Stealth / Short) Tyres: I used the Mitas Enduro Trail XT + on the front, for added grip and the Dakar version on the rear, for added longevity. Tech Used: Cardo Packtalk Edge, in-helmet comms. I primarily use the Cardo Packtalk Edge to listen to music, streamed from Spotify, and take and make the odd phone call to my wife and children, I avoid work related calls when I'm away on the bike. A lot of rides enjoy syncing their comms to chat along the way and stay in touch on the trail, I prefer not t do this as I what to enjoy the "helmet time" as much as possible, to get away from the daily grind. Insta60 Ace Pro Action Camera - I opted for this one for my current use, I have had may GoPro's, the Insta360 X1 and One R, but prefer the Point of View, battery life, flip up screen and stability of the Insta360Ace Pro. The camera was mounted to the front / chin of my LS2 Explorer helmet using our LS2 Explorer Helmet Action Camera Mount. Tips and Tricks: Headlight - I always take a headlight with on a trip, it comes in super handy when the lights go out, walking around the camp and more so around the braai. I used the Petzl Actik headlight and pair it with the Petzl Noctilight, to turn it into a lantern - which works incredibly well in the tent. Group Riding - on this trip we used the "Buddy System", with this the lead rider slows down at a turn or intersection and makes eye contact with the rider behind, who acknowledges the rider in front, who then carries on, this continues until the sweep has made eye contact with the rider in front of them. This is great to keep the group moving and dust to the minimum. Here's a quick edit video of the weekend, please Like and Subscribe, more videos on our YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/_-pamb57O18?si=JMEeppsalI5SnniK