Rooiberg Pass and the R323 make up the longest and emptiest day of riding on Mufasa, and for many riders the one that surprises them most. No famous name, no tour buses, no phone signal for long stretches. Just Karoo gravel to the horizon, then a steep, narrow climb over the Rooiberg mountains into the Klein Karoo.
If the Swartberg is the pass everyone has heard of, this is the day riders talk about at dinner. Here's what it involves.
The R323 across the Karoo
The R323 is a regional road that runs from Laingsburg on the N1 south through the Karoo to Ladismith and on to Riversdale. Before reaching the Klein Karoo it crosses the Rooinek Pass and turns to gravel for a long, remote section.
What it's like on a bike:
- Space. Flat red plains, low koppies and mountains on the horizon. You can ride for an hour and see one farm vehicle.
- Fast, open gravel. Mostly graded and flowing, with sandy patches, corrugations and the occasional sharp bend after a long straight.
- Farm gates, livestock and dry river crossings. Watch for sheep and antelope near the road.
- Silence. Little or no phone signal, so riding with a group and a support vehicle makes the difference here.
Rooiberg Pass at a glance
Rooiberg Pass is a gravel mountain road over the Rooiberg range, linking Van Wyksdorp with Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Van Wyksdorp to Calitzdorp |
| Surface | Gravel throughout |
| Road length | About 43 km across the range |
| Main climb from Van Wyksdorp | About 7 km, averaging 7.4%, with steeper ramps |
| Summit | Roughly 800 m |
| Character | Narrow and steep in the mountain section, wider on the Calitzdorp side |
From the top, the view opens across the Klein Karoo, layer after layer of mountains. Riders often leave a stone on the summit cairn as they go over.
Difficulty, bikes and conditions
The R323 gravel is easy to moderate: fast and open, demanding attention more than technique. Rooiberg Pass is the hardest climb on Mufasa after the Swartberg. The mountain section is narrow and steep, with sharp hairpins, loose gravel and erosion ruts.
- After rain the steep sections of Rooiberg can wash out and become impassable. The pass is at its best in the dry months, November to April. Our best time to ride guide covers the season month by month.
- Bike choice: a middleweight adventure bike is ideal. The Ténéré 700, V-Strom 800DE, CFMOTO 800MT-X, Tiger 900 Rally Pro and F 900 GS Adventure all suit it well. The CFMOTO 450MT is the easiest in the hairpins. Big GS and Africa Twin riders will love the R323 and need to be confident on the steep, loose parts of the pass.
- Skill: if you're comfortable standing on the pegs on loose gravel and climbing steep hairpins in first or second gear, you'll enjoy it.
Fuel, heat and planning a long day
This is a long day: on Mufasa about 365 km, around 80% of it gravel, with roughly five hours of riding.
- 1.Fuel at every chance. Fill up before you leave the N1 and again whenever you pass a town with a station. Van Wyksdorp has no fuel.
- 2.Start early. Karoo afternoons get very hot in summer. Ride the long gravel in the cool of the morning.
- 3.Carry water and drink at every stop, even when you don't feel thirsty.
- 4.Expect no signal for long sections. Ride with someone, and tell someone your route if you're independent.
- 5.Pace yourself. The pass comes late in the day, when you're tired. Take a proper break before the climb.
Ride it on Mufasa, Day 3
On Mufasa this is Day 3. We leave Inverdoorn Big Five reserve in the morning, cross the Karoo on the R323 gravel, climb the Rooiberg Pass, and finish at Hlangana Lodge outside Oudtshoorn, where we stay two nights. The next day is the Swartberg.
The support vehicle carries water, tools and a spare bike, and the fuel stops are planned in advance, so the remoteness becomes the adventure instead of the worry.
Mufasa runs from November to April: 11 days, about 75% gravel, in groups of 6 to 12 riders.
Coming for the gravel passes? Read our Swartberg Pass guide and Prince Alfred Pass guide next.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Rooiberg Pass?
In the Klein Karoo, Western Cape, between Van Wyksdorp and Calitzdorp, west of Oudtshoorn.
Is Rooiberg Pass gravel?
Yes, gravel throughout, with a narrow, steep mountain section.
Is Rooiberg Pass suitable for beginners?
Not for riders new to gravel. The steep, loose hairpins need some off-road experience. It's very manageable for riders who already ride graded dirt.
Is the R323 paved?
Parts are, but there's a long gravel section through the Karoo between Laingsburg and Ladismith.
Is there fuel on the route?
Only in the towns. Van Wyksdorp has no fuel, so fill up before the pass.
When is the best time to ride it?
November to April, early in the day. Avoid it after heavy rain, when the steep sections can wash out.
About the author
Kerren Wolfin is the founder and lead guide of Africa Moto Tours. He personally leads every South Africa departure, including Mufasa across the Karoo, and films each tour himself. He built AMT to give riders the African adventure he wanted to find as a new guide, and to create a home for guides who meet the same standard.
