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Baviaanskloof is a valley some 200 km long between the Kouga
and Baviaanskloof mountains, about 100km inland from South
Africa’s Garden Route coast. The area can be approached
from Willowmore in the west or Patensie in the east and this
180 000 hectare tract of raw wilderness is the third largest
natural area in South Africa.
Baviaanskloof or ‘The Valley of Baboons’ is
largely rugged and unspoilt Eastern Cape mountain and bushveld.
Apart from a few small scattered farms in the west most of
the area
shows
little
sign
of man’s
existence, and the visitor can experience the wildness of
nature as it's been since the dawn of time.
Bird life is prolific in the valley with sightings
of large raptors like the Black eagle and Fish eagle being
common.
Numerous
small mammals inhabit the river thickets and dense bush that
fills the valley including otter, mongoose and the
audacious Vervet monkey. Cape Buffalo and Mountain
Zebra have been
reintroduced into the area and you may see the silent, stealthy
Cape leopard moving among the crags in search of prey.
Troops of baboons can often be heard barking and cavorting
on the rocky slopes or seen moving in troops along the river
bed, their guttural cries echoing off the cliffs giving one
a primordial sense that little has changed here in
thousands of years.
The eastern part of Baviaanskloof is the most spectacular
but the road in from Patensie requires a high-clearance
vehicle or 4x4 and road conditions can vary dramatically, depending
on the rains. Parts of the route are a narrow track pushing
through dense bush and criss-crossing the shallow river.
Several nail-biting mountain passes require driver concentration
and care, but the adrenalin and spectacular views will leave
you feeling elated and ready for more.
Camping is the best
way to experience the wildness of this region and the campsite
at Rooihoek offers access to sandy
beaches and great swimming in the river. There are also campsites
at Geelhoutbos, Doodsklip, Duiwelskloof and Bruintjieskraal.
Several other interesting accommodation options are available
including Van Terrabert Cave House and the tented camp at Tia
Ghee. For more accommodation, see www.baviaanskloof.co.za
The Baviaans region offers exciting outdoor activities including
the Leopard Bait Mountain Bike adventure,
the Rietrivier
Hiking Trail and other guided hikes, guided quadbike
trails, scenic
drives and Combrink se Berg 4x4 route. Visitors
may also want to see the yellowwood trees at Geelhoutbos or
learn more about the culture and environment at the Mason
Wasp studio on the Tchnuganoo Community Farm.
Baviaanskloof
is for travelers with an adventurous
spirit who want to experience a pristine piece of South
African wilderness far from the well-trodden tourist routes.
| Garden Route
- selected destinations |
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Hike
through pristine bushveld
Freestate 
