Upper Tonquani

The information below is limited. For all details please contact the MCSA Johannesburg Section.

The MCSA as a land owner seeks to preserve the land in its natural state, therefore none of our properties have clearly indicated paths, nor are there any facilities on our properties.

With soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear pools and majestic old trees through which the sun dapples, Upper Tonquani is considered by many as the most beautiful and spectacular of all Magaliesberg kloofs.

This area is part of the Magaliesberg Protected Environment (MPE) and the Magaliesberg Biosphere.

The land is owned by the MCSA, therefore is open to all MCSA members and their guests. Please carry your MCSA membership card, with latest sticker, with you.

Non-members require permits which must be bought from the MCSA Johannesburg section. All visitors must carry a copy of the permit. Please see the FAQ: Permit Rules.

Permits are not issued for non-members for the first full weekend of every month. These weekends are reserved for MCSA members & their guests only.

Access to this property is across other land owners property. Access agreements with these land owners was established by the MCSA. The access rules in these agreements must be adhered to.

The access agreements with these land owners are sensitive and dependent on your adherence to their rules. The rules are available on request from the MCSA Johannesburg Section and will be provided with your access permit. The MCSA has a servitude to access Upper Tonquani from the south, which goes through Askari Game Reserve, this is open to members & their guests only. Therefore no permits are issued for access via Askari. Members must report to the Askari Lodge Reception. One member one guest rule applies.

A breach of these rules (etiquette, gate times, etc.) could result in the MCSA permanently losing this convenient access route to its properties. The MCSA will also not hesitate to take action against offending members or permit holders.

Join the club here.

The Southern access takes about 1 hour 30 mins including a few kilometres on dirt road. The western Mountain Sanctuary Park access takes about 1 hour 20 mins via Buffelspoort Dam.

Camping, with no facilities, is available on the cliffs overlooking Upper Tonquani. There’s no water available here, so you need to get water from the kloof. Otherwise Mountain Sanctuary Park has camping and chalets, as well as ablution facilities and a small shop. Please do not camp in the kloof.

Monkey cages are installed at the campsite and at the meet spot in the kloof, you are advised to store food items in these to prevent the monkeys from eating it. Please do not leave litter in the cages and please do not feed the monkeys.

There’s water all year in the kloof, which is safe to drink. Please note field toilet manners apply, see the FAQ: What are ‘Field toilet manners?’.

Upper Tonquani has over 150 trad climbs of all grades, including a range of easy climbs, many of which are considered classics. Most climbs are multi-pitch, with descents via gullies or abseiling off trees. The rock is generally excellent and the views spectacular. As the kloof is wide and sunny, it is relatively warm even on cold winter days. No bolting is permitted. Please take note of eagle activity at the crags on the website home page.

Yes, though the walk-in is long and strenuous from the South, but must easier from MSP. Children are only allowed with adult supervision.

Yes, most definitely.

Strictly not allowed, as it is part of the Biosphere.

Great wild camping in the quiet; superb birdlife, including Black Eagles and plenty of hiking opportunities. People often go kloofing all the way down to Cedarberg Kloof & Lower Tonquani, via the Help-help pool. You can also hike up Boulder Kloof. A photographer’s delight.

Safety has not been an issue as the kloof is generally well protected from vagrants/thieves as it is quite far from the lower parts that have seen crime. The access traverse above the Help-Help Pool between Upper and Lower Tonquani is over polished rock and hazardous to inexperienced parties.

MCSA Johannesburg Section

Email: admin@jhb.mcsa.org.za

Contact Tel: 061 461 8259

Office hours: Mon – Fri, 15:00 – 18:00; closed on weekends & public holidays.

Mountaineering (climbing and hiking) is de facto an activity which carries certain inherent risks. Neither the MCSA, nor any of its members or representatives accept responsibility for any deaths, injury or illness sustained or suffered by any person or for any theft, loss or damage to any property that result from participation in MCSA activities, no matter in what manner caused and whether allegedly due to negligence or not. Full indemnity is available here.