Tillietudlum, Dargle Valley
Leader and report: Penny Purchase Photographs: Iain Kerr
19 Hikers, Distance +/- 10kms, Grade 3
It was a happy and varied hike at Tillietudlem Nature Reserve in the Dargle Valley on Sunday 20 March. There was a bit of everything – the scenery was beautiful, rolling green hills, reminiscent of Scotland to the early pioneering Ogram family. There was game to observe and docile Nguni cattle herds to wander amongst. There were rushing rivers, waterfalls and cascades. There was refreshment aplenty – tea, coffee and fresh scones on the spacious deck of the fisherman’s cottage above the river. The guides were young and knowledgeable and clearly loved the environment. Even the weather had a bit of everything – sun, fresh breeze, blue sky, thin white clouds, then heavy grey clouds, only a few drops of rain after lunch. Generally a perfect day for hiking.
We were a band of 18 hikers, ranging in age from 4 years, diminuative Mayalee, daughter of Katy and Charlie, to 80 years, being the legendary Margret Kirsten. We welcomed 2 new members, Wendy Xaba from Hayfields and Gill Nelson from the Dargle. We met at St Johns Village car park and travelled in convoy. The dirt road to the farm was in good shape.
Daniel, a young anti-poaching ranger, was our guide, ably helped by a girl ranger, Jansune and Sphamandla. Daniel filled us in at the start, with the activities on the farm with regard to the Ngunis and the game. The Stud Nguni herd stands at 373 animals. They have managed to put a halt to the poaching with the cunning tactic of shooting the hunting dogs, which are especially trained to poach. Roaming the hills there is a large herd of 227 blue wildebeest, 64 eland, 58 zebra, 25 blesbuck, 8 common reedbuck and 3 oribi. There is a herd of 61 fallow deer, which are kept in a separate enclosure, a legacy of former farming practices.
We climbed the hills opposite the old Ogram homestead, stopping to examine the sloughed skin of a puffadder. Sometimes we followed a track or an animal path or did some bundu bashing – again a bit of everything! For our tea stop Daniel chose a rocky outcrop high up with a view of the eland, outlined on the crest of the hills above, and grazing wildebeest. We descended down, merging with the Nguni mothers and their calves, admiring their uniquely mottled hides. What beautiful beasts they are.
We crossed a few little wooden bridges to get to our refreshment spot. A tumbling full cascade of river water near the edge of the dam, was too gorgeous and nearly tempted some of us to take a swim. The rustic, well appointed fisherman’s cottage with its large deck, was situated above a fast flowing river and rock pools. Here we fell upon the tea, coffee and large freshly baked scones – what a treat – and just R50 a head.
Daniel then offered another short hike to a lovely waterfall. Replenished, most of us decided to do this. We hastened our steps as drops of rain fell sporadically. Variety again as we walked through a small plantation, then after a small detour and lots of walking through long grass, we came to a high crest – a perfect spot to view the tumbling waterfall. On the return journey we stopped to admire some mushrooms under the trees and an animal skull lying alongside … was this a warning about eating mushrooms?
We were back at the fisherman’s cottage soon after 2.30. We said our goodbyes and hearty thanks to the 3 young rangers who led us. It was a marvellous day’s hiking in the remote and beautiful Tillietudlem game farm and nature reserve. The day certainly had variety – of hikes, animals observed, weather conditions, rivers and waterfalls. Thank you, Daniel, Jansune and Sphamandla, for encouraging us to visit again, we’ll be back!
