It all started on the WhatsApp group, with everyone buzzing like a VW engine on a downhill stretch—”Can’t wait!” “When are we leaving?” “Is it time yet?!” The anticipation for the Wild Buggers camp at Dwarskersbos was real, and the excitement reached new heights when Anthony and Michelle Jenkins threw down the gauntlet with an offer we couldn’t refuse—FREE skaap tjoppies for Friday night’s braai. Yolandie immediately upped the stakes by offering to make braai broodjies for everyone, and Gary and Michelle completed the feast lineup with noodle and potato salad. The Wild Buggers community once again proved to be a tight-knit, generous bunch—jislaaiket, what a group of awesome mense!
Friday rolled around, and a few of us Buggers gathered at Bothasig, determined to head out in a convoy, because let’s be real—there’s safety in numbers. Plus, who doesn’t love the sight of a bunch of buggies cruising down the road together? I was elected unofficial lifeguard, just in case the tide came in out of nowhere. But really, the big excitement was Anthony’s freshly rebuilt Bumblebee, shining like a star and already looking like a contender for Bug of the Year. Gary and Isabel were supposed to meet us but, their plans changed last minute, so they’d catch us en route.
Now, here’s where things get spicy—Brent, where are you? Brent got pulled over by the cops, confused by his towing setup. Slightly shaken from the roadside interrogation, Brent then ended up at the wrong shopping centre, waiting for us! But no worries, we found him at the first robot, and off we went, convoy in full swing. Not two minutes later, a Ford Fiesta comes screeching past us like it’s in a Fast & Furious movie—what the heck!? Oh, it’s just Louis, spotting us and grabbing some action shots.
We took the “boring” N7, but with our crew, no road is ever boring. Bumblebee had a slight hiccup—some pinging issues—but Anthony worked his magic, a quick twist of the distributor, and she was back to buzzing along happily. At Westcoast Engine, we stretched our legs and, lo and behold, ran into Gary and Isabel! A quick coffee, a sausage roll, and we were back on the road, with Dwarskersbos only 50km away.
Welcome to Dwarskersbos, Where the Reception is Colder than the Weather!
Upon arrival, we were met by a woman at reception who clearly thought we were there to cause chaos. “No music, or you’ll be thrown out!” she barked. WELL, HALLO TO YOU TOO! We politely waved her off and headed to the bungalows, where Theo, Elna, and Carol were already settled in. Slowly but surely, the rest of the Wild Buggers rolled in. By the time it was dark, we were only missing Kasupi and Bad Boy, and we were starting to get a little worried—had the West Coast swallowed them whole? Finally, they arrived, frozen solid, and immediately defrosted next to the fire.
The rest of the night? Legendary. We braaied those glorious tjoppies that Anthony and Michelle had so generously donated, and the laughter started flowing almost as fast as we were throwing logs on the fire. There’s something magical about a Wild Buggers braai—it’s a mix of stories, jokes, and genuine camaraderie that can’t be beat. By the end of the night, one by one, the crew started disappearing to their beds, leaving the fire crackling under a starry West Coast sky.
Saturday Madness: buggy’s, Braais, and the Sand Pit of Doom
Saturday kicked off bright and early—well, early for me, anyway. By the time I stumbled out of bed, Jess Huggett was already tuning a lineup of buggies. (Shame, poor Jess, but it did look like he was enjoying himself.) Meanwhile, Jess and Rhoodie had a look at Bad Boy’s brakes, and let’s just say, they were not exactly safe. (Elizmari, you might want to get that sorted ASAP!) We were waiting for A Bug’s Life (the West Coast’s buggy club) to come visit us for a run at 10am, but by 11, we’d had enough waiting and decided to hit the road. Just as we pulled out, they rolled in— perfect timing!
We all decided to take a drive down one of the sandy beach tracks in Dwarskersbos, which, fortunately, was nice and firm. Gary even joined in with his Ford Fiesta! After that, it was time for a road trip to Bokkomlaan in Velddrif, a spot known for its rustic charm. Unfortunately, Ek En Djy Vissery wasn’t what it used to be, but we cheered ourselves up with a trip to Laaiplek Harbor for some of the best blueberry and condensed milk ice cream you’ll ever taste. As Kasupi and Bad Boy made a mad dash for the nearest loo (beer had happened, naturally), the rest of us said our goodbyes to A Bug’s Life and prepared for the evening’s main event—potjiekos!
But wait, the day wasn’t done with us just yet. Anthony and Michelle decided to take on some seriously thick off-road sand. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well. Next thing we knew, Rhoodie was also stuck, and a Jeep Wrangler came to the rescue. After much pushing, pulling, and a lot of laughing, they got free. Then came the moment of truth—everyone was staring at me, daring me to take Shrek into the pit of doom. Mickey gave me the nod, and off we went. Let’s just say Shrek made it past where Rhoodie and Anthony got stuck, but that hill on a slight turn? Yeah, no. I slowed down, and bam! Stuck. The Jeep was back at it again, pulling me out in reverse, and after what felt like an epic mission, I was free. Enough with the sand traps—it was time to head back to base camp!
Whales, Potjiekos, and Saturday Night Vibes
Back at camp, we took a stroll down to the beach, where we spotted three whales frolicking in the water. Talk about a perfect West Coast scene! Then it was time to get serious about supper. Anthony and Gary each whipped up their own potjiekos, while others braaied some more meat. The evening was filled with laughter, stories, and the usual Wild Buggers shenanigans. People popped in and out of each other’s bungalows, sharing food, jokes, and good times. Even the Blue Bulls’ loss couldn’t dampen the spirits (sorry, Rhoodie and Theo!).
Sunday: The Scenic Farewell
Sunday morning rolled around way too quickly, and Jess looked like he had tuned all the buggies he could handle. With checkout looming, it was time to say goodbye to Dwarskersbos and hit the road. Some of us opted for the N7, with Rhoodie reminding everyone he had a date with the F1, while the rest of us took the scenic route through Hermon and Malmesbury. We stopped at Plaas Mol Padstal for a lekker breakfast, where the farm stall had more curiosities than we could count.
The drive through the farmlands was nothing short of magical, with wildflowers and yellow canola fields as far as the eye could see. At one point, Bumblebee practically disappeared into the sea of yellow, and we couldn’t help but slow down and enjoy the view. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and we eventually made our way home, feeling recharged, happy, and already looking forward to the next adventure.
Next Stop: October 13th!
Don’t miss our next event on October 13th—mark your calendars now! And hey, while you’re here, why not share your favourite moment from Dwarskersbos in the comments below? Got a stuck-in-the-sand story? We want to hear it! Until next time, keep safe, and see you at the next Wild Buggers adventure!
See the photos of our Dwarskersbos Camp
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