Eastern Transvaal Winter Warmer Weekend Getaways

Date:

Sat, 08 Aug 07:00 Until Mon, 10 Aug 16:00 2026

Book By:

Sat, 01 Aug 2026

Pay By:

Sat, 01 Aug 2026

Venue:

John Jack Inn, Chrissiesmeer, Mpumalanga

GPS Coordinates:

-26.266389, 30.213889 (26° 15' 59.00" S, 30° 12' 50.00" E)

Hosted by:

Colin Ross

Booking contact number:

062 926 3649 (Madeleine)

Saturday 8th August 2026

07.00 Meet & Greet at Total Services Heidelberg N3 South
07.30 Depart in convoy to Grootvlei Battle Site ( 26th December 1900). We will then continue onto the famous Whisky Train Incident (29 th December 1900) passing some interesting monuments on the way .
09.30 Arrive at the Val Hotel for Breakfast – The Famous Val Hotel which was the site of peace talks with General Botha, Smuts and Steyn. The smallest village in South Africa as seen on Carte Blanche
10.30 Depart heading North to include stops at the site of 1 Canadian and 1 British double V.C. winner as well as a Boer General's farmhouse
12.00 Arrive at Standerton Concentration Camp
12.45 Depart towards Ermelo
1400- Drive through Ermelo and viewing historic buildings including a Block House and Boer Memorials
15.00 Depart towards Chrissiemeer to arrive at our accommodation The John Jack Inn **** Historic building which was used as an Officers Mess during the war. You are then free to walk around the beautiful buildings and surrounding streets which is very safe . Each room has its own Wood Burner or log fire, with fresh coffee, French Press, wifi and Entertainment system on the TV

Sunday 9th August 2026

08.30 After a hearty breakfast we depart for a scenic drive around the Lake Chrissiesmeer to arrive at 10.00 at the famous Randalls Ranch the biggest tractor museum in South Africa . Jan Randall, the owner and curator, is also a Landy Lover and is opening especially for our visit. We then drive the farm roads, eventually meeting up to the Rainbow Route and on our return route return visit the Warburton Fire Base to meet the Aeriel fire fighters and their planes.

Monday 10 th August 2026

09.00 Depart the John Jack after breakfast and quickly onto the The Battle of Chrissiesmeer on the outskirts of town. Then onto a drive through the historic Carolina
10.30 Leilefontein Battle view the Boer memorial which was paid for by a British General who was so impressed with the courage of the Boer Generals who both died in the battle.

11.00 – Onto the remote Geluk Battlefield site of a resounding Boer ambush on Buller's forces before the famous Battle of Bergendal through the back roads bringing us out at the Engen Belfast for refreshment stop, we then Depart for Middleburg Cemetery – One of the most interesting cemeteries in South Africa , where we can pay our respects to a Boer Veteran of the American Civil War and many others, including the writer of Sarie Marias, Spion Kop and Train Wrecking heroes, amongst many others .
15.30 Goodbyes and Departure back to Gauteng

All meals for members expense.