The Jack and Jill Hiking Club started 2017 with their first hike to Bivane Dam on the weekend of January 20/22.

The Bivane dam is easily accessible, situated near the centre of the triangle formed by the towns of Vryheid, Pongola and Piet Retief.
The dam was completed in 2000 and was built on the Bivane River, a tributary of the Pongola River. The dam was conceived as a sustainable water supply for the local irrigation scheme, and to secure primary water for the town of Pongola and surrounding communities. Its water is collected in a catchment area of 1600 square kilometres and has a surface area of 700 hectares.
Bivane Dam Reserve offers recreation activities like boating; fishing; mountain biking; hiking and bird watching. Quad bike and 4X4 trails are also available on the reserve.

On arrival at Bivane Reserve on Friday afternoon, the hiking club was met by Dave, manager at Bivane Dam, who welcomed us and informed us as to where the hiking trails starting points could be found and gave us a brief description of each trail. There are two trails to choose from, the Ibis trail which is 4km and the other trail which is 9km, both these trails can be combined and a hike of 13km can be done.

A social bring and braai was enjoyed by all but a thunderstorm and downpour sent all the hikers scourging to their tents for shelter.

Tents were pitched at the main campsite which is a very pleasant camp site. The ablutions are remarkably clean and offer toilets, showers and bath. A social bring and braai was enjoyed by all but a thunderstorm and downpour sent all the hikers scourging to their tents for shelter. The rain was so heavy that a few of the tents decided they would just leak a fraction to keep the hikers entertained and on their toes.

Saturday morning came and it was a cool overcast morning, ideal hiking weather. The hikers opted for the Ibis hiking trail which took the hikers along the gorge of a contributory river, then through bushveld and back to the main road leading back to the campsite. Due to very excited and enthusiastic hikers we crossed the main road and continued on with the other hiking trail. Our mistake was realised only once this trail came out at another road which was not the main road. The hikers were faced with two options to either complete the 9km trail or to back track back to the main road. As the day had warmed up considerably and hikers had only packed sufficient water for a 4km hike it was decided to back track, back to the main road.

On returning to the campsite the hikers all found something nice and cold to drink and freshened up, where after they bundled onto a bakkie and went for a drive to the weir and had a look at a few of the other campsites that are available at Bivane reserve.
Saturday evening was a fraction cool but all enjoyed a lovely get together and chat around the braai fire.
Sunday morning was overcast and some of the hikers took to the water on a kayak to try out their kayaking skills.
The weekend was enjoyed by all.
A big thank you goes to Dave for clearing and marking the hiking trails for us, ensuring that we could stay on and follow the trails with ease.

For further information, regarding the Jack and Jill Hiking club and upcoming hikes, Willem can be contacted on 082 856 7664.