the exploration society of southern africa dedicated to discovery, conservation and exploration



Upcoming Trips

10 September, 2010 (All day) - 12 September, 2010 (All day)
Rock climbing
Machadadorp
A weekend of rock climbing open to beginners to advanced. Have you ever been keen to learn how to rock climb? Well, this weekend is your chance to try. Plan is to arrive on Friday evening, I am planning to leave Joburg at 12. Hoping to be out and at the rock face before 9am to beat the heat on saturday. We will have supervised climbing for most of the day and probably early Sunday Morning. Accommodation has been booked for 12 people.
24 September, 2010 (All day) - 26 September, 2010 (All day)
Rafting
Hiking
Kayaking
Mountain biking
Orienteering
Fishing
Venda
Come camp in Venda for a fun filled weekend of all sports! There is so much to do up there from mountain biking, hiking, kayaking and more you will not be bored for a second. More details to follow contact Paul maraispaul [at] gmail [dot] com or / Lewis lsc [at] incusdata [dot] com
1 October, 2010 (All day) - 3 October, 2010 (All day)
Pony trekking
Rievlei Natrue Reserve
RIETVLEI NATURE RESERVE GUIDED HORSE TRAILS Experience the Highveld on horseback, as the pioneers found it in the past century. A variety of game including two of Africa’s big 5 game species are dispersed over the undulating landscape and can be viewed from up close. Over 272 bird species have been recorded on the reserve, making it the birdwatcher’s paradise. The Rietvlei Nature reserve is conveniently situated only 18 km from Pretoria’s city centre and 38 km from the O.R. Tambo airport. 
8 October, 2010 (All day) - 10 October, 2010 (All day)
Hiking
Taaibos, Ellisrus
This is a lovely trail and suitable for beginners and families as well as the seasoned hiker. The scenery is spectacular and the trail should be taken at an easy pace. It is in the Waterberg Mountains close to the small town of Vaalwater. The trail is relatively short but well worth doing and covers some of the most beautiful areas of this part of the Limpopo Province.The accommodation at base camp is quite adequate. Hot showers and flush toilets are provided along with plenty of good firewood.
10 October, 2010 (All day)
Rafting
Kayaking
Johannesburg
Summer is here and the water is warm. There will be a rolling clinic at the store room and a bring and braai for a stock taking day. We need as many people as possible to help out in blowing up crocs and checking equipment. Address: 13 Frere Road, Parktown West
16 October, 2010 (All day)
Star Gazing
Magaliesburg
 Hello Everyone  The date for this event still needs to be confirmed as there has been a problem with the orignal date .
22 October, 2010 (All day) - 24 October, 2010 (All day)
Formal Dinner
Waterberg
   Join us on this annual, fun and unconventional event.  We go to a mountain top and partake of fine food and wine.
5 November, 2010 (All day) - 7 November, 2010 (All day)
Mountain biking
Waterberg
Mountain biking trip to Rooiberg. There is at present 70km of mountain bike single trails on the reserve.  This trip is fully booked but if there is enough interest, another one will be done. Contact Katja Katja [dot] Nordwig [at] za [dot] sabmiller [dot] com (Katja.NordwigATzaDOTsabmillerDOTcom) for more details. Camping will be at the Welgedacht Estate, 180km from Pretoria, at a costs of R180 per person per night. Need to bring own food, drink and organise your own trasnport to get there.
12 November, 2010 (All day) - 14 November, 2010 (All day)
Rafting
Kayaking
Crocodile River
As summer is here, it is time to get back into the water and enjoy some splash time in the Crocodile River. Join us for a  funfilled weekend to the Crocodile River for some kayaking and croccing. Bring your own equipment or hire from ESSA. Contact Lewis lsc [at] incusdata [dot] com (lscATincusdataDOTcom) for more details
16 December, 2010 (All day) - 19 December, 2010 (All day)
Rafting
Hiking
Kayaking
Mountain biking
Clarens
As summer is here, it is time to get back into the water and enjoy some splash time in the Ash River. Join us for a  funfilled weekend to Clarens for some kayaking and croccing on the Ash River. For those not interested in water sports, Clarens has numerous hikes in the area that can be done by the fit or not so fit, there's something for everyone. Bring your own equipment or hire from ESSA. Contact Lewis lsc [at] incusdata [dot] com (lscATincusdataDOTcom) for more details
19 December, 2010 (All day) - 16 January, 2011 (All day)
Mountaineering
Mt Vinson
 This trip is for those with experience in Cold weather camping as this extreme environment is extremely taxing This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and begins at Punta Arenas Chile.  A flight from there to Patriot hills and a further flight to the base of the mountain is required.  From the base camp a further two camps are established with lots of cramponing required.  Trip costs will be around US$ 35 000
28 December, 2010 (All day) - 2 January, 2011 (All day)
Rafting
Hope Town
 Hi all fellow-rafters!  Here is just a short briefing on our Dec rafting trip:-
8 April, 2011 (All day) - 22 April, 2011 (All day)
Caving
Sudan
 Sharron is organising a caving trip to the Sudan (together with the Caving Club)  This will explore some known caves as well as look for new caves
24 April, 2011 (All day) - 27 April, 2011 (All day)
Hiking
Kruger Park
Mphongolo Backpacking Trail
1 May, 2011 (All day) - 4 May, 2011 (All day)
Hiking
Kruger Park
Mphongolo Backpacking Trail  
17 June, 2011 (All day) - 17 July, 2011 (All day)
Overland
Moscow
 This train travels from Moscow to Vladavostock and is one of the great train journeys in the world.  We plan to travel to Moscow from Germany by train and then onto Vladavostock.  
17 June, 2011 (All day) - 10 July, 2011 (All day)
Pony trekking
Oslo
 Norway has three horse breeds, the Norwegian fjord horse developed from the North Asian wild horse, the North Norwegian mountain horse that is a lot smaller and the Norwegian Forestry horse which are known for their intelligence and coolness.   This trip will not only experience the midnight sun but also the spectacular scenery created by ancient glaciers that carved out the deep fjords.  
8 August, 2011 (All day) - 22 August, 2011 (All day)
Mountain biking
Waterberg
There is at present 70km of mountain bike single trails on the reserve. Contact Katja [dot] Nordwig [at] za [dot] sabmiller [dot] com for more details. Camping will be at the Welgedacht Estate, 180km from Pretoria. Need to bring own food, drink and organise your own trasnport to get there.
28 December, 2011 (All day) - 3 January, 2012 (All day)
Rafting
Hope Town
 Hi all fellow-rafters!  Here is just a short briefing on our Dec rafting trip:-

Past Trips

4 September, 2010 (All day)
Orienteering
Johannesburg
Join us for a haunted evening, investigating ghosts spots around Joburg The route:
28 August, 2010 (All day)
Rock climbing
Hartbeespoort Dam
This is a day trip to Chosspile, next to the Hartbeespoort dam wall, for Sport (rock) climbing enthusiasts.  ESSA will supply a few ropes but if you have your own, please bring it along. It is always more fun if we can have a few routes up at the same time. (Shorter waiting time by the climbers). If you have it, bring along any other climbing gear (quick draws, etc) that you might own. There are a few new climbers in the group so it would be appreciated if you would also bring along your EXTRA climbing harnesses for them to use.
25 August, 2010 (All day)
Orienteering
Northriding
And now for something completely different! A wine tasting with a light dinner afterwards! Wine estates: Bergsig, Bainskloof, Whale Haven and maybe a few extra mystery estates. Venue: Blandford Manor, 106 Hyperion Drive, Northriding. Time: 18h30 for 19h00. Date: 25th August 2010.
20 August, 2010 (All day) - 29 August, 2010 (All day)
Mountain biking
Namaqualand
  This trip aims to explore the flowers of Namaqualand by bicycle and will be based around the town of Niewoudville.  The plan is to travel by rail from Johannesburg to Wellington and then up to Namaqualand.  We will be camping and plan to explore the areas for a few days before moving on 
20 August, 2010 (All day)
Mountain biking
Sun City
Piers is cycling to Sun City on Friday, 20 August 2010 for the Audi Lost City Mountain Bike Event. If anyone is insterested in a laid back cycle to Sun City, please contact Piers on piers [dot] pirow [at] necsa [dot] co [dot] za for more information.
30 July, 2010 (All day) - 1 August, 2010 (All day)
Hiking
Rock climbing
Mt Everest, Harrismith
Join us for a beginner rock climbing trip to Mt Everest near Harismith (this one is not the highest mountain in the Free State- but guess Some one thought it was bliksems high) The mountain situated inside a nature reserves offers great hiking and good birding if all you want is a weekend away.   Please Contact Lewis Coosner on 082 557 7786 for more info
17 July, 2010 (All day)
Adventure racing
Limpopo Province
The Haenertsburg Iron Crown Challenge   
12 June, 2010 (All day)
Hiking
Melville, Johannesburg
MELVILLE MENTAL MEANDER - SATURDAY 12 June at 11 AM.  Come and try your hand and brain on a mind-blowing walk or jog around Melville, answering a few questions on what there is to see, hear and smell in Jo’burg’s most vibey suburb!
12 June, 2010 (All day)
Hiking
Waterberg
Contact Lewis Coosner if you interested in doing a fascinating but fairly easy hike over the weekend. Lewis will add more content and further information......later ..wont you Lewis?.
5 June, 2010 (All day)
Mountain biking
Imvelo Game Geserve
See web page for details http://www.biggameparks.org/newsfacts_events.html ESSA has often had a group that has enjoyed this annual event. Following the MTB we often go rafting down the Usutu river with Darron Raw's company.