Marico Oog
Close to Zeerust lies a small dive site that was formed by a natural spring which produces crystal clear, cool water and is home to the most beautiful water lilies. The climate in this area is usually cold in winter and warm to hot in the summer. Rain is frequent during the summer months.
This natural spring feeds the Limpopo River and produces an incredible 200 000 litres of water per hour. What makes this pool so exquisite is the fact that the water is crystal clear and the visibility is often in excess of 20 metres. Lush plant life covers most of the pool, notably the floating water lilies with their stems that trail away lazily to the bottom.
The bottom of the pool is covered with a broad-leaved plant that gives the impression of swimming over a lush green carpet. Various species of fish are found hiding amongst the stems of the water lilies, such as bass, kurper and the Marico ‘gillemientjie’. Entry to the pool is via a passage cut between the reeds and water entry is attained using a ladder to ensure that the bottom surface isn’t disturbed. The pool consists of parts that vary in size as well as in depth, with the maximum depth being 16 metres and an average depth of 8-10 metres.
A feature of the dive site is a cave at the north end of the rock that presents a swim-through for the brave and trained! For the underwater photography enthusiasts – don’t forget the cameras! The most scenic pictures can be taken here.
Doornrivier 4x4 Trail
Doornrivier’s 4x4 trails have it all: deep and narrow dongas, rocky koppies, mountains, rock obstacles, steep ascents and descents, water crossings, the weirdest sandstone/anthill formations and even some sand. The drives are super technical and should preferably only be tackled by experienced drivers.
4x2 vehicles with diff lock and 4x4 vehicles without low range are permitted. The 12 km trail take around 14 - 48 hours to complete, navigating extreme terrains. The self-drive trails vary from 3 to 70 km and takes about 3 to 6 hours to complete. The grading varies from 3 to 6. Summer rain can make this route very challenging so be aware of the weather before you set off.