PROPERTIES — NORTH WEST
Upper Tonquani
"If you think you’ve peaked, find a new mountain."
Venue Information
Venue Overview | With soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear pools and majestic old trees through which the sun dapples, Upper Tonquani is considered by many as the most beautiful and spectacular of all Magaliesberg kloofs. |
Permit / Permission info | Land owned by the MCSA, open to MCSA members and guests (1 guest per member) only. The MCSA has a servitude to access Upper Tonquani from the south via Askari Game Reserve – members only. The gate access code can be obtained from the Club Administrator. Alternative access points by walk-in from Mountain Sanctuary Park (MSP) or Calabash. Access permits available from MCSA Jhb. |
Approx travel time from Jhb | The Southern access takes about 60 minutes including a few kilometres on dirt road. The Northern/Mountain Sanctuary Park access takes about 90 minutes via Breedtsnek (the road is in very bad condition - 4×4 vehicle is strongly recommended), or 120 minutes via Buffelspoort Dam. |
Parking info | Safe parking available at Askari Game Reserve - contact the MCSA JHB for details (members only). Parking fee: R40 per car, per day is payable to MCSA JHB. Safe parking is available at Mountain Sanctuary Park. |
Walk-in | There are two ways to access Upper Tonquani:
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Accommodation | Camping, with no facilities, is available on the cliffs overlooking Upper Tonquani. There’s no water available here, so you need to get water from the kloof. Mountain Sanctuary Park has camping and chalets, as well as ablution facilities and a small shop selling refreshments. |
Availability of drinking water | Water available all year in the kloof, which is safe to drink. |
Climbing route guide | The MCSA has published a route guide, Rock Climbing Routes in the Tonquani Complex. |
Climbing info | Upper Tonquani has over 150 trad climbs of all grades, including a range of easy climbs, many of which are considered classics. Most climbs are multi-pitch, with descents via gullies or abseiling off trees. The rock is generally excellent and the views spectacular. As the kloof is wide and sunny, it is relatively warm even on cold winter days. |
Child-friendly | Yes, if 12 years and up as the walk in is long and strenuous. |
Swimming | Yes. |
Camp fires | Strictly no fires permitted. |
Other attractions | Great wild camping, superb birdlife, including Black Eagles and plenty of hiking opportunities. People often go kloofing all the way to Mountain Sanctuary Park, via the Help-help pool and Lower Tonquani. Be cautious when negotiating the traverse above the Help-Help Pool as the rock is extremely slippery. |
Dangers | Safety has not been an issue as the kloof is generally well protected from vagrants/thieves as it is quite far from the lower parts that have seen crime. Be careful when using the traverse above the Help-Help Pool, the rock is over-polished and may be hazardous to inexperienced parties. |
Contact details | MCSA Jhb Section - admin@jhb.mcsa.org.za Mountain Sanctuary Park: Tel: 014 534 0114/ www.mountain-sanctuary.co.za |
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.