South Africa Safaris and Tours

the very cradle of humankind has been rediscovered and brought to life . . . Bushmans Kloof, the heartbeat of an African wilderness . . . the rebirth of a long forgotten land. Immense open plains, deep ravines, spectacular waterfalls and prehistoric rock formations characterise this ecological oasis, nestled between the majestic mountains of the Cederberg and the vast plains of the Great Karoo. 270 Kilometres north of Cape Town, unique and unspoilt, this once hunting ground of the intrepid San, is home to an incredible variety of wildlife and plant species, and is a premier spring flower destination. Since 1992, Bushmans Kloof has embodied the rebirth and development of this sanctuary, with a mission to create a thriving wilderness which nurtures its indigenous life, protects its history and secures its future.

Bushmans Kloof is a privately owned wilderness reserve and is world renowned for its 130 rock art sites. In recognition of its rich cultural, historical and environmental significance, Bushmans Kloof has been declared a South African Natural Heritage site
7 Luxury Rooms - All with private patio and bathroom en-suite. Waters Edge 1 & 2, River Reeds 1 & 2, Karoo Plains 1,2 & 3
6 Deluxe Rooms - All with large private patio, bathroom en-suite with heated towel rails, lounge area within bedroom and some with fireplaces. Cedar Falls 1 & 2, Rock Pools 1 & 2, Gordon and Masson.
3 Suites - All with large private patio, bathroom en-suite with heated towel railis and separate lounge area and some with fireplaces. Paterson, Niven and Riverside Honeymoon Suite.
Manor House - 4 suites, lounge and fireplace, television room, bar, dining room, covered veranda. All rooms and suites have mini-bars, private terraces with mountain and river views. Check in at 14:00. Afternoon tea is served at 16:30 and game drive departs at 17:00. Check out at 12:00 (After rock art excursion and buffet brunch)

Facilities

Two lounges with fireplaces, one with satellite TV, library, billiard room, bar, wine cellar, Trading Post Gift Shop, dining room and outdoor dining terrace. To experience the essence of this magical wilderness reserve, guests are invited to participate in a variety of activities to invigorate the body and feed the soul.

One of the highlights of the day at Bushmans Kloof is the sunset game drive in open game viewing vehicles, with drinks and snacks served at one of the many vantage points in the reserve. Knowledgeable rangers lead the game drives where guests can view at close range a variety of game, both large and small, and enjoy the ever-changing vistas and vegetation.

Early morning rock art tours provide the visitor with an insight into an ancient culture that has been lost forever. Botanical walks, mountain hikes and bird watching are also available. Abseiling or mountain biking down one of the many rocky slopes offers a challenge to the adventurous. Fly-fishing enthusiasts may opt for a day excursion to the Biedouw river to challenge the famous Clanwilliam yellowfish on a catch-and-release basis. Swimming in one of the river's crystal clear natural rock pools or in the Lodge's swimming pools offers welcome relief on a hot summer day. Guests may also picnic in the reserve or simply relax on the rolling green lawns alongside the river.

Additional activities on offer include canoeing, walking trails and stargazing with a state-of-the-art telescope.

Sights

Bushman Rock Art
The reserve is rich in Bushman rock art with over 130 pristine sites, some dating as far back as 10’000 years ago making them one of the oldest recorded examples of human art. Visitors may join daily-guided walks with experienced rangers along rivers and through the veld to view a selection of the sites.

Scenic beauty of the area
Cool and refreshing waterfalls and rivers, natural, crystal clear rock pools and a backdrop of wind sculpted ancient sandstone rock formations all form part of the reserve, which is located at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains. Optional Excursions
• Visit to Wupperthal, the historic German Mission Station and where the ‘veldskoen’ originates from
• Horse riding may be arranged in the area
• West Coast town of Lamberts Bay
Exciting special events are hosted throughout the year for guests to experience, explore and discover the essence of this magical reserve, and learn something new. These range from Archaeological and Botanical breaks, to Chef speciality weekends, Yoga Retreats, as well as Family Fun packages during the school holidays.
Bushmans Kloof Is Malaria Free

My Suitcase

Flora and Fauna

The rebirth programme of Bushmans Kloof has returned many species of wildlife to the land their forebears once roamed in great numbers. Some of the game re-introduced include: the rare Cape Mountain Zebra, Bontebok, Eland, Gemsbok, Black Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Grey Rhebok and Ostrich. Game drives and hikes through the reserve provide the opportunity to see some of this game, a sight to rekindle the soul and inspire one to re-discover the wildlife that was once unique to this Cape region. Bushmans Kloof lies between two vegetation biomes - dry mountain fynbos and succulent Karoo - where wildlife and an immense diversity of plant life intermingle. In Spring the reserve explodes into a kaleidoscope of colour. Wild flowers stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a spectacle that must be seen to be believed. Bushmans Kloof is a premier spring flower destination.

Fauna
View the expansive environment and game with daily nature drives through the reserve including: Gemsbok, Bontebok, Cape Mountain Zebra, Eland, Red Hartebeest, Black Wildebeest, Vaal Rhebok, Klipspringer, Kudu, Springbok, Steenbok and Brown Hyena, to name a few. Bushmans Kloof is home to 35 species of mammals, several of which are listed in the IUCN Red Data book and 150 different species of bird such as the Malachite Kingfisher, African fish eagle and Black Harrier. Sightings of Aardwolf, African Wildcat, Bat Eared Fox, Cape Fox and Porcupine are possible. The late afternoon nature drives include complimentary snacks and sundowners in the reserve. Night drives are offered after dinner to guests who wish to view the reserves several nocturnal species and the awe-inspiring night skies.

Flora
From July through to October the veld comes alive with spring flowers, revealing the colours of thousands of beautiful and some unusual spring flowers. 755 indigenous plant species have been identified within the reserve, including Bushmans Kloofs own ‘Cederberg Seven’ – a group of shrub and tree species that thrive within the reserve and are not found together anywhere else in the world.
Bushmans Kloof is a South African Natuaral Heritage Site, and lies within the Cederberg Wilderness Area, which forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site.

Climate

• Summer (November – March): min 20ºC, max 40ºC
• Mid-Season (April, May, September, October): min 10ºC max 30ºC
• Winter (June – August): Min 0ºC, max 25ºC

Rock Art

Bushmans Kloof is one of the most densely painted rock art areas in South Africa, or indeed in the world... in terms of the number of sites to see, Bushmans Kloof is unsurpassed..." Fragile Heritage - A rock art field guide by David Lewis-Williams and Geoffrey Blundell. Bushmans Kloof is home to over 130 rock art sites which date back some 10,000 years, creating one of the world's largest open-air art galleries.

In these rocky shelters, the enchanted visitor may contemplate the daily detail of a now extinct existence and be humbled by its beauty and simplicity. Providing a rich cultural history, this pristine collection communicates the very spiritual reality of these true conservationists and will inspire and invigorate the observer. Trained guides conduct daily rock-art walks with interpretations that provide insight and a deeper understanding of these rare archeological sites. At Bleeding Nose Shelter, rock paintings stand out richly in the small alcove site formed in white sandstone. Subjects include eland, small antelope, rare paintings of birds and a whole variety of humans standing, dancing and shooting with bows. This site takes its name from a painting of a man with blood pouring from his nose, who is joined to his companions by mystical lines of power. The fallen painted slab that gives Fallen Rock Shelter its name is the least of this site's attractions. It also houses one of the largest collections of well-preserved and diverse images known in the Pakhuis region and has a deposit of ash, sand and grass left behind by the San occupants over thousands of years. It houses the largest painting of a San cave dwelling group known in the Western Cape. The site was excavated several years ago by the Archeology department of the University of Cape Town. "The priceless natural and cultural historical heritage on Bushmans Kloof is in the form of numerous pristine rock paintings. It is not difficult to understand why the San chose this specific spot for its shelter, water, game and vegetarian to live for many generations." - Dr John Hanks, Peace Parks Foundation, South Africa.