Saturday 9 September – registration
Registration is at the Tsogo Sun Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town on Saturday 9 September. You can register at any time between 12:00 – 18:00. Registration is compulsory. You get everything you need and lots of cool stuff you don’t need at registration. We will all sleep at the Cullinan Hotel on Saturday night and your accommodation is included in your entry. Each team of four will get two double rooms. The #braaitour starts as soon as you are registered. At 18:00 we will have the official opening and welcoming event at the open pool area of the Cullinan Hotel. We have an official dress code for the launch party and it’s called the ‘South African Flag’. We would like you to wear any combination of colours from our beautiful South African flag. Bonus points for being creative, fun and extreme. This will be the first time you as a team will showcase how awesome you are and meet other participants.
Parking at the hotel
You can park on the grass area in front of the Cullinan Hotel. This grass pitch is known as the Garry Reed Oval. You enter the Garry Reed Oval by driving through the towering bright, yellow, National Braai Tour Arch, from the far end of the grass pitch. If you are late and it’s full, park anywhere else. Additional parking is also allocated to us at the basement parking lot of the hotel (B1). Go to registration in the hotel without your luggage as you first have to complete the tour registration before you can check in.
Security at the hotel
24 Hours security is offered on the outside and inside of the hotel. Should you leave your latest Nokia or Blackberry unattended it is at your own risk. This goes for the whole tour. It a public space, act responsibly and take responsibility as we take no responsibility.
Go register!
Hotel staff and a general flow of cool and exited people will direct you to the National Braai Tour registration in a conference room of the hotel. You can register any time during 12:00 and 18:00 on Saturday, 9 September. Registration and all tasks that form part of it will take you about 90 minutes. Once registered we will see you at 18:00 for the warm up party at the pool area. Anything you do before that is at your own leisure. For those wanting to watch the Springboks beat Australia, we suggest the Stella Bar of the Cullinan Hotel. We pay for your room but your bar tab at the bar is for your own account.
Check into the hotel rooms*
As soon as you are done with #BRAAITOUR registration you will receive your room vouchers. This is the last step of registration. We booked and paid for two twin rooms per team. If you have any issues, ask Braaitour Commander in Chief Adri Bootsma to assist you. *Please note that any room service, mini bar use and the like is for your own account.
Spur Meat & Greet
Spur Steak Ranches, the main sponsor of the 2017 National Braai Tour welcomes you with a Spur Burger served from their food truck on the Garry Reed Oval. Go and enjoy a Spur Burger at any time from 12:00 – 18:00 when you are feeling peckish. The official soft drink supplier of the National Braai Tour, Twizza, another South African favourite, will be on hand with a giant truck filled with their finest products. Feel free to help yourself to any Twizza products at any time during the course of the #BRAAITOUR week from the moment that you arrive.
Warm up and launch party
The party starts at the pool area of the Cullinan at 18:00 on Saturday right after registration closes. Please remember to wear something resembling one or more of the colours of the South African flag. All alcoholic and soft drinks served during this party at the official #BRAAITOUR bar at the outside pool area from 18:00 are on us. If you order anything from the normal hotel bar, that is for your own account, just like any other hotel guest. The guest chef of the day at the pool area of the Cullinan Hotel, Jan Braai and our official pantry sponsor Food Lover’s Market combine to serve you a classic South African dinner. This is free. If you order food at the normal hotel restaurant, you pay.
Breakfast and Checkout
Breakfast will be served from 6:30am – 08:30am Make sure that you hand in your room card and pay any additional charges made to your room. To recap, accommodation, everything served at the warm up & launch party and breakfast is on us.
The Start
On Sunday morning at 8:30am you need to be in front of the Tsogo Sun Hotel on the grass area (Garry Reed Oval) with your South African Flags and yellow #BRAAITOUR banners. You might be on television so wear your game face. At 09:00, we will depart Cape Town in a convoy led by led by the Cape Town City Traffic blue light brigade and the Harley Owners Group Tyger-Valley. Then follows all of us, the travelling circus, in no particular order. Once on the freeway you don’t have to drive in convoy, drive at a pace you are comfortable with. We will all drive straight to our our first braai at the Sea Shack in Struisbaai for a seafood feast!
Listed below are the cool items that each team will get for free and you can keep it after the tour. Don’t pack these things, we’re giving it to you! Each team of 4 gets:
- 4 #BRAAITOUR hoodies by Jonnson Workwear
- 4 #BRAAITOUR t-shirts by Jonnson Workwear
- 4 #BRAAITOUR limited edition collectors item caps
- Addis toolbox for your braai gear like tongs, knives, spices etc.
- Addis large crate to pack everything else in
- 26L Addis Cooler Box
- JanBraai portable braai by HomeFires
- braai gloves, braai tongs, braai grid & potjie pot
- fire lighters & matches
- meat thermometer
- chopping board, chef’s knife, wooden spoon, mixing bowl & foil
- plates, bowls, cups, knives, forks & spoons
- dishwashing liquid, washing up basin, scourer, sponge, dishcloths & refuse bags
- 2 x South African flags and 1 x #BRAAITOUR banner
- Lots of Spur sauces. A true South African favourite.
- Lots of Cerebos braai salt. It’s the official salt of the National Braai Tour and you’re getting lots of it!
- Firewood will be provided to you on a daily basis ahead of each braai
What you need to pack. This list is not extensive and everything is optional but we suggest you consider packing the following things:
- Tent(s) that sleep(s) your team of four
- Lock for tent (very optional)
- Camping mattresses
- Camping Chair (very optional)
- Sleeping bags
- Toiletries
- Medicines & Pills*
- Sun Cream
- Mosquito Repellant
- Torch
- Towel
- Clothes (enough warm stuff, we’re often camping next to water so it will get cold)
- Shoes
- Sunglasses
- Car charger for your cellphone
- Campsite Plug Adaptor
- Electric lead
- Multi Plug
*There will be no medical or first aid. We explicitly advise you not to cut, burn or injure yourself and not to break any bones. If you intentionally or unintentionally incur medical problems, it’s your own responsibility to seek treatment for that like any normal member of the public in a public area. If you need or want any general or specific medical stuff or first aid measures, bring that along. In case of medical emergencies, phone an ambulance and in case of other emergencies, phone the police.
Social media
The hashtag is #BRAAITOUR. On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter you can follow and engage with me @janbraai. Same handle on all three platforms. The @braaitour handle is @braaitour on all three and that’s where we will also post photos and regular updates.
2017 National Braai Tour Route
The route below is the one we intend to take but if factors within or beyond our control change, we might take a different route. We’ve chosen this route to take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the greatest country in the world. The distance from the point of registration to the last campsite is just over 1000 km, that is if you never take a wrong turn (though with some of the magnificent scenery along the way, you may want to).
Sunday 10 September, Cape Town – Cape Agulhas
At 08:30 on Sunday 10 September we line up in front of the Tsogo Sun Cullinan hotel under very festive conditions and depart in convoy to the the southern tip of Africa where we set up camp for the night. There will be some things happening in between Cape Town and Agulhas but that is not important for the purposes of what you need to know now.
Monday 11 September, Cape Agulhas – Kam’Bati River Lodge close to Swellendam
A short braai stop interrupted drive and we set up camp and overnight at the confluence of the Sonderend River and Breede River.
Tuesday 12 September – Kam’Bati River Lodge close to Swellendam – Calitzdorp Spa
The natural warm water of this spa is well known for its healing properties and people come from over the world to relax and braai. Naturally, there will be a bit of port to aid in the relaxation.
Wednesday 13 September – Calitzdorp Spa – SANPARKS Wilderness
From Calitzdorp Spa we will go via the Cango Caves and the Outeniqua mountain range and in the heart of South Africa’s famous Garden Route, a captivating world of lakes, rivers and beaches gently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains for our overnight stop. These are all elements that characterise the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park.
Thursday 14 September, SANPARKS Wilderness – Forever Resort Keurbooms River
Keurboomstrand takes its name from the indigenous keurboom tree which is native to a small, narrow strip along the southeastern coast of South Africa particularly along the Keurbooms River. The keurboom has beautiful, pinkish-mauve to violet-pink, sweetly scented, pea-shaped flowers which are produced in profusion in spring to early summer – this is the reason why the National Braai Tour brings you to Keurboomstrand at exactly this time of the year.
Friday 15 September, Forever Resort Keurbooms River – Sanparks Storms River Mouth
“The place of much water”, is the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park. The heartland of the park stretches some 5km to sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reef and deep-sea fish. We camp and braai right next to the sea with breathtaking views.
Saturday 16 September, Sanparks Storms River Mouth – The Willows Resort, Port Elizabeth
Rugged, rocky outcrops right on the beach on the “wild side” of the Nelson Mandela Bay coastline.This is our last night of the tour and the central lapa area is where a memorable final night of braai, atmosfire, prize giving and festivities will transpire.
Sunday 17 September
The tour is now over and after one of the best weeks of your life you will now return home, be that by vehicle or after dropping off a rental and flying out from Port Elizabeth Airport.
Out of Office
Registration will take place from 12:00 (lunchtime) on Saturday 9 September 2017 at the Tsogo Sun Cullinan Hotel, right in the heart of Cape Town. (The Address is: 1 Cullinan St, Cape Town City Centre, Tel: 021 415 4000) From this moment onwards, until you wake up in Port Elizabeth on Sunday 17 September, you are effectively on tour, so please clear your schedule for the entire duration. Should you wish to explore the beautiful City of Cape Town, please do so before registration.
What don’t you need to bring?
On a holistic level, all you need to bring is a vehicle that fits four people plus baggage, a tent(s) that sleeps four, four camping mattresses & sleeping bags, four camping chairs and clothes & toiletries for the week. All food, braai equipment, cutlery, wood, firelighters, branding, toys and the like will be provided at registration or on a daily basis as relevant. Everything we give you becomes your property and you get to keep it all after the tour. Some non-perishable food items for the week will be handed out at registration while perishable items including meat, dairy products and the likes for specific meals and recipes will be handed out to you on a daily basis.
What’s included in the tour fee?
There are no VIP lounges and no one will get coffee in bed. Freshly prepared breakfast and coffee are provided to you every morning from 07:00 – 08:45. We will have a daily on route stop around lunch time, what we refer to as a #primebraai. The food you receive there is also included in your entry fee. All ingredients and equipment for your main braai of the day are handed out daily between 16:00 – 17:00 at the campsite where you camp on that day. All camping fees, entrance fees and parks fees are included. Any tour paraphernalia is included.
We reckon you can easily survive the week on the food we provide you with, in fact, you will more than likely have leftovers. However should you have a eating disorder and still feel peckish, we do pass towns and shops on all days. Support the local economy in the platteland, and in the unlikely event that you need to stock up, we encourage you to do so in the towns we pass through.
Typical day on #braaitour
Whilst we sometimes deviate for specific reasons of fun, the typical day starts at 07:00 when the campsite, better known as ‘#braaitour village’ comes to life. You have until 08:45 to have breakfast, break up camp and load your vehicles. At 08:45 we all gather in the central area of the #braaitour village for the daily briefing and at 09:00 we depart in convoy. This is the only time of the day that you are expected to drive in convoy. From the moment you pass the gates of the campsite at 09:00 you are free to drive at your own pace to the next destination, which will usually be a braai or heritage spot along the route to the next campsite. You are expected to be at the next campsite by no later than 16:00 and all routes and heritage tasks are designed to make this well within everyone’s abilities. The #braaitour is not a race or a rally, it’s an adventure. You are very welcome to arrive at the #braaitour village long before 16:00 and enjoy the atmosphere but there are no prizes for arriving early. Take your time and enjoy the heritage, braai opportunities and scenery along the way. From 16:00 until 17:00 you will need to go to the central #braaitour kitchen where you will collect your meat and other ingredients for the main braai of the day. Fires are expected to be lit by 17:30 in time for sunset and further instructions and expectations regarding the official braai of the day will be communicated to you in due course.
Central Atmosfire and Bar Area
The #braaitour bar will open from 16:00 every day with limited service. At 19:00, it will be even more operational with barmen and a wider choice of drinks. All drinks at the #braaitour bar are complimentary and we serve most things you can reasonably expect to find at the above average South African braai. Should you have a very specific acquired and expensive taste to certain alcoholic beverages or we don’t serve anything you like, you are welcome to bring your own.
Big campfires will be burning and live music will be playing. This is where you will then perform the most important part of the National Braai Tour, to unite around a fire with your fellow South Africans to celebrate and share our heritage. This task can be performed until you make your way to your tent and we see you again at 07:00 the next morning for breakfast.
One vehicle per team
You may tow a trailer or the like behind your vehicle but you cannot bring two vehicles per one team of four persons. In our experience it’s entirely possible to do the tour without the trailer if you pack clever and light but this is really up to you.
Can your team be branded or sponsored?
No. The structure and model of the National Braai Tour is that our official sponsors pay for large chunks of the awesome experience you will have during the tour. Unfortunately you cannot ambush that with your own team sponsor. All entries are sold to private persons and you are taking part as such. Should you wish to upgrade your private entry to that of an official sponsored team, please get in touch our able team at braaitour@braai.com and providing you can afford it, we will consider selling you the upgraded official sponsor package.
Can you book your own chalets or guest houses instead of camping?
Yes. This is for your own cost and your own responsibility. All camping fees for all nights are included in your entry fee, and your hotel stay at the Tsogo Sun Cullinan is also included in your entry fee. If you want to sleep in cottages or guesthouses along the way on any other night it is entirely your own issue. Please familiarize yourself with the exact location of the daily campsite if you decide to book other accommodation. Kambati for example is not in Swellendam but what will be a difficult 30km drive out of town after a braai and late night atmosfire session. You should want to camp every night but you definitely want to camp at Kambati.
Team Clothing
You are encouraged to wear your own team clothing or daily team costume throughout the course of the #braaitour, but it is not compulsory. You are allowed to apply printing or embroidery on your clothing with your team name and or logo. Please note that it is highly recommended that you wear the team outfits representing any colour or colours of the South African flag for the registration party at the Cullinan Hotel at 18:00 on Saturday, 9 September.
Any questions?
We look forward to welcome you on the National Braai Tour in September. Should you have any other questions, please feel free to direct them to braaitour@braai.com. We will regularly update this posting on this website will information that becomes available or to address any questions frequently asked by participants on points we forgot to touch upon yet.
Please note that entries for the 2017 National Braai Tour are sold out. If you would like to enter and get onto the waiting list, here is the link http://braai.com/braaitour/enter2017/
The next Tour de Braai takes place from Sunday 6 – Saturday 12 May 2018.
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