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Waterval Boven - safety, tips, recommendations?

Original Post
Pandy Fackler · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 2,747

Thinking of a trip to the area, and am wondering about safety in and around the town/crags, and getting to and from Johannesburg? Could you fly into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport instead? Johannesburg has me the most concerned, but I've heard mixed reviews from people regarding safety in and around Boven, which is why I'm hoping someone can chime in that has been recently. Thanks!

Jeremy L · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2020 · Points: 487

I was there earlier this year. I flew into joburg & didn't really explore the option of Kruger. I went directly from the airport to emgwenya where my partner & I stayed. Emgwenya was safe, there were a couple of people that were asking for money but I just put up the international sign of 2 palms up to signal that I didn't have anything for them & they moved on. We walked around town on our rest days, no issues. There were reports of robberies/murders back in the day but this was probably a decade or more ago. I'd go back in a heartbeat, the climbing there is amazing. Bring at least 20 draws. Routes are tall & run out.

My partner lives in cape town & handled the logistics so I don't have any tips for you. Feel free to message me & I'll try to help.

Gustav Janse van Rensburg · · Waterval Boven · Joined Apr 2020 · Points: 1

Hi there,

I live here in Boven, for 25 years now already. You don’t have to be concerned about crime around Boven any more than petty crime that you could get anywhere in Africa etc.

OR Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) is 2.5 hours drive away and Nelspruit is 1.5 hours. It is generally more complicated and expensive to fly into Nelspruit. Make sure that you explore all the time options before you fly into Nelspruit.


Don’t hesitate to drop me a line here or pm for further local info. Otherwise find Roc ´n Rope online and send me an email. I’ll be glad to assist and advise to ensure happy climbing days.

Also, the climbing here is as good as people say. I’m always stoked to get back on the rock here after road trips!

Cheers

Gustav

Jeremy L · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2020 · Points: 487

Hey Gus! Merry Christmas to you & Alex!

Alan Rubin · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 10
Gustav Janse van Rensburg wrote:

Hi there,

I live here in Boven, for 25 years now already. You don’t have to be concerned about crime around Boven any more than petty crime that you could get anywhere in Africa etc.

OR Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) is 2.5 hours drive away and Nelspruit is 1.5 hours. It is generally more complicated and expensive to fly into Nelspruit. Make sure that you explore all the time options before you fly into Nelspruit.


Don’t hesitate to drop me a line here or pm for further local info. Otherwise find Roc ´n Rope online and send me an email. I’ll be glad to assist and advise to ensure happy climbing days.

Also, the climbing here is as good as people say. I’m always stoked to get back on the rock here after road trips!

Cheers

Gustav

Just dreaming now, but do you or anyone else offer something like week long guided climbing excursions at the Boven?  Also what is the best climbing season there?

Jeremy L · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2020 · Points: 487
Alan Rubin wrote:

Just dreaming now, but do you or anyone else offer something like week long guided climbing excursions at the Boven?  Also what is the best climbing season there?

I'm gonna let Gus answer the guided excursions but he gave us tremendous beta to all the crags when we were there. I'd say our summer (their winter) would be the best season. I went during their summer & it wasn't too bad. Temps in the 80s, looked for shade & we were still able to climb hard.

Gustav Janse van Rensburg · · Waterval Boven · Joined Apr 2020 · Points: 1

I am a qualified guide and can also revert to other guides if I am not available. In a week you’ll get a good sense of what the best sport climbing in the universe tastes like! Slightly biased opinion ;-)

The best time to come is roughly between 1 January and 31 December - my standard answer. Basically we climb right throughout the year. There will certainly be a week or two in the summer when it gets a bit hot or there could be periods of continuous rain. But it never lasts. If you are going to fly half way around the globe, there is almost no rain from early May till early October. The nights in the dead of winter can be chilly but daytime temps can easily be around 20’C (68’F). Keep in mind that we climb at 1500-1700m ASL (4500-500ft) so even in the middle of summer, after a thunderstorm you may need a light down jacket at a shady crag.

Climbing is still being developed and there are plenty untouched crags in the area. Also really good rest day activities, trout fishing or game viewing in Kruger or adjacent private game parks … you’re welcome to pm me for more info, or just on here?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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