The R355 starts 40 km east of Ceres in the Cape Bokkeveld, where the tarred R46 regional road veers right towards the N1 highway (S33.23135 E19.67690). The R355 follows the dry bed of the Doring River, which runs between the Kwarrieberg (1 437 m high) to your right and the Saalberg (1 322 m) to your left.
This ravine is known as Karoopoort, and the road was laid out by the renowned Cape road engineer Andrew Bain, with construction handled by his son-in-law, Adam de Smidt. In the middle of the ravine is a short section of tar road and a farmstead dating back to the 18th century.
The tar road turns back into gravel as soon as you pass through the ravine and enter the southern edge of the Tankwa Karoo. The first stretch of the R355 is always badly corrugated, but 3 km past the farmstead, the road surface improves where the Sutherland road (R356) branches off to the right.
To your right is the Inverdoorn Game Reserve, where you can see the Big Five.
However, this is a private reserve, and you'll need to book in advance if you'd like to visit. Go to inverdoorn.com if you're in the mood for this.
At the upper boundary of Inverdoorn's property, you'll spot two hills on either side of the road. The one to the right is Eierkop, offering a stunning view over the R355 as it stretches into the Karoo.
You can turn off at $33.08069 E19.77359 to explore Eierkop on foot. Just watch out for snakes.
Esta historia es de la edición February/March 2025 de Go! Drive & Camp.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February/March 2025 de Go! Drive & Camp.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Carry me, tow me
The Obiqua is a rare example of an off-road trailer that can transform into a camper shell and sleeps up to four people.
Tankwa down the road
The R355 is South Africa's longest uninterrupted gravel road one that isn’t crossed by any other road. It's a delightful indulgence to set aside a few hours and drive it from end to end.
The new Tuff Cats cub
The Katsi, Tuff Cats’fourth and latest model, is a basic trailer that can easily transform into various camping setups, says Leon Botha.
Serenity served with a side of wild
Many people believe the best balm for the soul is camping by the water or in the bush. Why not have both at these two campsites in KwaZulu-Natal?
From Ingolstadt, with Love
The Audi Q7 recently underwent a second facelift. Cyril Klopper explores what's new.
Along Namibia's coast
Discover the freedom of the open road as you journey from LUderitz on Namibia's southern coast to Torra Bay in the north, en route to Kaokoland.
A father a son and South Africa's borderland
Few things are better for a father-and-son relationship than a trip all around South Africa, says Kobus Boshoff from Modimolle.
Compact, with attitude
The Viking is Adventure Xtreme's newest baby ready for your next dirt road adventure.
Bushy gets a shiny new inner
The Bushy Rhino now boasts a body made of stainless steel. But that's not all, says Leon Botha.
Big in Japan
The new Mitsubishi Triton is finally here, ready to take on its competitors in the South African market
