Brief summary of venue
With over 700 bolted routes, Waterval Boven/ The Restaurant is South Africa’s prime sport climbing destination. There are numerous crags, all within an 8 kilometre radius of town, which cater for a range of levels – from beginner (grades 9-14) to expert (above 30). Ease of access to most crags makes Boven an ideal destination for both adults and children. Although there are some quality traditional climbs, the area is known for its high concentration of excellent single pitch (between 12 – 35 metre) sport routes.
Permit/ permission info
None required, but please respect the area, including no littering or graffiti.
Approximate travelling time from Johannesburg
Approximately 2.5 hours. Beware of speed traps along the N4 highway. Also, the Machado Toll, just before Boven if travelling from Johannesburg/ Pretoria is very expensive – R 60 one way in 2012.
Parking information
If you stay in town and wish to climb in the Wonderland area, parking is available either at Tranquilitas or the farm-house directly opposite the entrance to Tranquilitas.
Info on walk in
Most crags are within easy walking distance.
Accommodation
In town there is a climbers’ “backpacker-style” lodge with a communal kitchen and great showers: www.rocrope.com. About 8 kilometres outside of town, Tranquilitas Adventure Farm www.tranquilitas.com offers 4 self catering chalets (booking is essential), 6 safari canvass tents, and ample camping space. Communal ablutions consist of toilets, basins, and showers with hot water. There’s a swimming pool, designated areas for bonfires / braais and a jungle gym for kids under parental supervision.
Availability of water for drinking
Water in town can be of varying quality so it is best to either use bottled water or fill up at Tranquilitas, whose water is from a spring.
Climbing route guide
An extensive route guide by Andrew Pedley and Gustav Janse Van Rensburg is available online in PDF format: www.climb.co.za otherwise buy a guide from Roc ‘n Rope’s office in the town’s main road.
Climbing information
Overall, Boven has over 700 climbs, all within 8 kilometres of town. All levels of climbing are catered for with a few projects that will challenge even the best climbers in the world. Most of the crags go into shade at around 11:00 in summer, while in winter Tranquilitas offers day-long shade.
Child friendly
Yes. The swimming pool at Tranquilitas is fenced, and there is a jungle gym for kids under parental supervision.
Swimming
Yes, both at Tranquilitas and natural pools.
Camp fires
Both the lodge in town and Tranquilitas have designated areas for braais / bonfires.
Other attractions
Hiking, swimming in natural pools, bird watching, swimming pool (Tranquilitas), and world class single – track mountain biking (permits required, speak to Roc ‘n Rope for details).
Dangers
There have been periodic muggings at the crags closer to town. The Wonderland and Tranquilitas areas are safe.
Contacts
For all bookings contact Roc ‘n Rope: Tel: 013 257 0363 Cell: 082 753 3695 Email: climb@rocrope.com / book@tranquilitas.com Skype: rocrope
Disclaimer
Mountaineering (climbing and hiking) is de facto an activity which carries certain inherent risks. Neither the MCSA, nor any of its members or representatives accept responsibility for any deaths, injury or illness sustained or suffered by any person or for any theft, loss or damage to any property that result from participation in MCSA activities, no matter in what manner caused and whether allegedly due to negligence or not.