PROPERTIES — NORTH WEST
Upper Tonquani (Access from South/Askari)
"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. Note Upper and Lower Tonquani are both the same property, which houses both Boulder and Cederberg Kloofs. |
| Permit / Permission info | Land owned by the MCSA, open to MCSA members only. The MCSA has a servitude to access Upper Tonquani from the south via Askari Game Reserve – a members-only privilege. The gate access code can be obtained from the members' dashboard. Alternative access points by walk-in from Utopia or Calabash. Access permits for non-members or members' guests are available from MCSA Jhb. |
| Approx travel time from Jhb | The Southern access takes about 60 minutes, including a few kilometres on a dirt road. |
| Parking info | Safe parking available at Askari Game Reserve - contact the MCSA JHB for details (members only). Parking fee: R40 per car is payable to MCSA JHB. |
| Walk-in | There are two ways to access Upper Tonquani:
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| Accommodation | Wild 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 within the kloof. |
| Availability of drinking water | Water is available year-round in the kloof and is safe to drink. |
| Climbing route guide | The MCSA has published a route guide for the area. |
| 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 are 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 Lower Tonquani via the Help-help pools. Be cautious when negotiating the traverse above the Help-Help Pools as the rock is extremely slippery. |
| Dangers | Safety has not been an issue as the kloof is generally well protected from vagrants/thieves. Be careful when using the traverse above the Help-Help Pools; the rock is over-polished and may be hazardous to inexperienced parties. |
| Contact details | MCSA Jhb Section - admin@jhb.mcsa.org.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.