Drifting in the Dunes - Cape Town

No-one knows for sure how these desert-like dunes were formed but a recent visit by a geologist may have shed some light on the mystery and offered an explanation as to why shells and pieces of petrified wood are sometimes found in the sand. 'A UCT geology student investigating sedimentation and sand formation visited here and took some sand samples which she had analysed,' explains Suzie. 'She concluded that about 20 000 years ago, the Olifants River flowed across here and formed a lake. It then later dried out and with the help of the wind, the dunes were formed.'

If you're driving up from Cape Town, try make an early start and you may be fortunate enough to witness some of the great mist banks that often roll in over this part of the world. It's early morning and the valleys are shrouded in a great sea of white. Outlines of windmills suddenly appear through the mist and flocks of black birds fly up, silhouetted against the silver sky as my car speeds past Piketberg.

In addition to the 4x4 route, another popular adrenalin-charged activity is a dice through the dunes on quad bikes, the latest craze sweeping through southern Africa. 'The quad biking here is better than anywhere else,' says Bles Dreyer of West Coast Eco Tours. 'The sand is very loose and there are many vertical drop offs so it makes for an exciting ride. But we are very aware of the environment and never ride over vegetation. The bikes also have to follow in the tracks made by the leader.'

We start to cruise through the dunes and I'm immediately hooked. Addicted to the freedom of the wind. We spend the next three hours ramping over slopes and criss-crossing the vast sandy expanse. My 250 Trailblazer Polaris attempts to climb one dune a little too slowly and my wheels sink deep in the sand. A rapid reverse down the slope then it's full throttle up and a gentle slide over the other side. 'At the vertical descents, sit with your body weight back, keep your arms straight and lock your elbows,' instructs Bles. 'Then just relax and enjoy the ride.'

The next morning, we're up early for the weekend's main event. Spirits are high and the boys are raring to go so tyres are quickly deflated and it's time to hit the sand. There are 13 cars in the convoy and not a woman in sight. 'With this group being only men, things could get a little out of hand,' smiles Theunis who is coming along for the ride. 'When women come along, they usually keep the men under control. But even though the dunes are a great place to play, they can be dangerous. People who come here thinking they know everything are the ones who are likely to get into trouble.'