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Overview
The all inclusive stay offers exceptional value and the ultimate wilderness and wellness experience. A malaria and predator free sanctuary to endangered species of wildlife and flora, with over 130 Bushman rock art sites and one of South Africa's Natural Heritage Sites. Koro Lodge, an exclusive, fully catered for villa in the reserve is ideal for families with young children or groups of friends seeking their own private wilderness.
Escape to a perfect hideaway where peace prevails and beauty surrounds you. Here, your comfort and delight is most important, and every refined facility combines to provide a sophisticated oasis in the heart of the wilderness.
Exquisite botanical gardens, crystal pools and rolling lawns provide a gentle transition between your elegant suite and the dramatic rocky landscape beyond.
In keeping with the high standards and tradition of Relais & Chateaux, the gourmet dining at Bushmans Kloof is crafted from the finest and freshest local ingredients, making it an art in taste, aromas and textures.
Every meal at Bushmans Kloof is a special occasion and a feast for the senses, with the executive chef’s contemporary cuisine offering a fusion of healthy country food and sensational gourmet fare. Special dietary requirements are catered for on request.
THE HOMESTEAD - The Homestead Restaurant adjoins the terrace with a heated pool, where High Tea is often served on cooler days. The formal dining room at the Homestead is warm and elegantly furnished, with a full complement of attentive staff to present a selection of specialities offered each evening from the executive chef’s table d’hôte menu. Dishes are a feast for the eye as well as the palate, served in an ambience of conviviality, style and true South African hospitality.
IN-ROOM DINING - On request, you can order a romantic dinner for two in the privacy of your room. Enjoy the simple pleasure of dining by candlelight on your patio as you indulge in a specially prepared culinary feast.
MAKANA - Makana (meaning ‘to feast’ in the ancient language of the Bushman), was designed to recreate the ambience of a spacious open-fronted cave; its stone walls enclosing an elegant lounge with twin fireplaces overlooking sweeping lawns and the Boontjies river. It is the ideal choice for our mouthwatering traditional high tea, scrumptious brunches with hot cooked breakfast, quiches, pastries, and other mouthwatering delicacies. Complemented with one of our fine wines, you have an unequivocal taste celebration of the Cederberg. On warm evenings enjoy a candlelit dinner with a succulent choice of grills and organic vegetables, rounded off with one of our melt-in-the-mouth desserts, while the gentle sounds of Africa drift in from the surrounding rocky landscape.
EMBERS - For a breathtaking dining experience under the starlit sky, a traditional South African barbeque (braai) is served at Embers, a unique outdoor setting within the reserve. A wonderful addition to the Bushmans Kloof dining experience, Embers is built into a natural ancient sandstone amphitheatre of giant boulders overlooking dramatic cliffs and valleys, and lit up by a roaring fire and hundreds of candles and lanterns. Diners are spoilt for choice with a South African salad buffet and homebaked breads, a choice of grills which includes Karoo lamb, traditional boerewors sausage, succulent steaks and chicken kebabs, and of course delectable desserts.
MANOR HOUSE DECK - Depending on the weather, the Manor House Deck with its romantic riverside setting under colossal wild fig trees (Ficus natalensis) is another delightful venue for alfresco brunch or tea. In the historic Manor House are two individually restyled suites with living rooms and fireplaces, as well as two deluxe rooms, each with its own luxurious, distinguishing décor and private terrace.
KADORO - Rustic and secluded in the Reserve, Kadoro (meaning 'Tinderbox of Stories' in the Bushman language), is an old Shepherd's Cottage, which has been renovated but not modernised. With no electricity and just the starlit wilderness outside, a supper by lantern and candlelight gives you a glimpse into the lifestyle of the past. Here diners may enjoy a barbeque, or in winter, wholesome soups, curries and stews. Ideal for romantic dinners, or small groups of up to 12 people. A special dinner at Kadoro is prepared upon advance request and is at an extra cost.
THE DAM - The Dam – or a specially selected Secret Location in the Reserve
The reserve becomes exclusively yours for an evening: enjoy a private dinner under the Cederberg skies, in a setting chosen for its spectacular views. Your intimate, "Out of Africa" - style dinner will be lit only by candles, lanterns, the stars and the moon. Your personal chef and staff for the evening welcome you at the setting of the sun with a glass of chilled sparkling wine, while a romantic table awaits your pleasure. Special meals at the Dam or in the Reserve are prepared upon advance request and at an extra cost.
PICNICS - From a delicious packed lunch to accompany your day’s hike in the reserve, to a formal spread for guests among the Spring flowers in the reserve, a Bushmans Kloof picnic is always full of delicious surprises. Picnics are prepared upon advance request and at an extra cost.
Facilities
Wellbeing is a state of mind, body and spirit - at Bushmans Kloof you are invited to indulge in the renewal of all three.
Delicious, healthy gourmet fare, pure fresh air, interesting activities, comfort, peace and relaxation are integral to the hospitality. And to top it all, there's the Spa where you can surrender to some pampering with massages, body treatments and skin care by expert therapists.
THE SPA - Inspired by the healing essences of Africa, the Spa at Bushmans Kloof has introduced Africology a unique and proudly South African anti-ageing body and skincare treatment range. Capturing nature’s powerful healing essences, the products contain African Plant extracts and Essential oils such as Aloe Ferox, Marula oil, Rooibos and Hypoxis.
Activities
Discover and partake in a multitude of activities in the Reserve. A successful programme of species re-introduction has followed the continued rehabilitation of the natural vegetation. The results are a triumph for conservation, and a delightful awareness for visitors. Bushmans Kloof has been proclaimed a South African Natural Heritage Site within the Cederberg Wilderness Area, and forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a designated World Heritage Site. The area is malaria and predator-free.
This unusual wilderness reserve, in an area of extraordinary beauty, offers a variety of interesting pastimes including the opportunity to view some of the finest San rock art in South Africa.
ACTIVITIES
• Daily guided Rock Art walks through natural fynbos • Guided nature drives in game viewing vehicles • Spectacular wildflower trails (spring season: July-October) • Bird watching, nature hikes, organic garden tours, botanical tours • Archery, mountain biking, canoeing, croquet, star-gazing, fly-fishing • Special culinary weekends • Swimming in natural pools and waterfalls • Yoga and guided meditation (at an additional charge and by prior arrangement)
Optional Excursions
• Wupperthal village & historic Moravian mission station • Cederberg Wilderness Area • Biedouw River canoeing & fly-fishing • Lambert's Bay - fishing village and seabird colonies • Clanwilliam Museum - Anglo-Boer war memorabilia • Goue Vallei wine cellars, Citrusdal • Cederberg Private Cellars - the Cape’s highest lying vineyards
WILDLIFE
Bushmans Kloof today protects one of the largest private herds of Cape Mountain Zebra in the world - an animal saved from the brink of extinction in the wild.
The Cape Mountain Zebra is identified by its bold black-on-white stripes - as opposed to its savanna-dwelling cousin (Burchell's Zebra), which has extra brown 'shadow' stripes, and a cream undercoat.
The wildlife reintroduction programme has also seen the return of the magnificent Bontebok, Red Hartebeest, Grey Rhebok and Ostrich.
Smaller creatures such as the Bat-Eared Fox, African Wildcat, Cape Fox, Caracal (African Lynx), Cape Clawless Otter, Baboon, Rock hyrax (Dassie), Klipspringer, Aardwolf and Aardvark also roam the plains and rocky outcrop of the reserve.
For the safety of both guests and the breeding herds of reintroduced animals, there are no great predators at Bushmans Kloof. Only the rare and secretive Cape Leopard roams among the most remote mountains in the reserve.
A huge diversity of birdlife is thriving once more, with 150 species from the great African Fish eagle to the jewel-like Sunbird. Keen birders may even spot a Black harrier, and a number of dams have been established around the Lodge to attract resident waterfowl.
And in the reserve, the endangered Clanwilliam Yellow Fish was reintroduced and now swims once more in the rivers and dams.
ROCK ART
Bushmans Kloof guards and conserves over 130 unique rock art sites, which can be viewed only by resident guests, archaeologists or researchers.
The mountains are millions of years old. The people whose culture and spiritual legacy is painted on the rocks were here as long as one hundred and twenty thousand years ago - the Bushman tribes, whose ancestral home was in these mountains.
“South Africa’s rich tapestry of rock art predates the most visited temples and ruins around the world, and is by far the oldest record of human art forms… Many countries have beaches and wildlife, but we also have the cradle of mankind.” – Minister Valli Moosa, Former Minister of Tourism and Environmental affairs (May 2000).
In July 2005 Bushmans Kloof appointed Siyakha Mguni, a dedicated and knowledgeable Rock Art Archaeologist, to the position of Resident Archaeologist and Curator. Mguni is tasked with recording, documenting and researching all of the known rock art sites as well as any potential new sites on the reserve, in order to create a workable model for rock art management on the African continent. This will ensure the integrity of Bushmans Kloof’s sites for generations to come.
Mguni also assists the University of Cape Town's Clanwilliam-based Living Landscape Project, a community based heritage and education project, directed by Prof. John Parkington of UCT's department of Archaeology, aimed at returning the archaeological archive to the Clanwilliam area as material for curriculum development and job creation. This is significant of Bushmans Kloofs' ground-breaking vision for the protection and preservation of this cultural patrimony.
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Rooms & Accommodation
Luxury Rooms (Main Lodge) (7)
Luxury Rooms (Main Lodge) (7)
Sleep: 2 Cost: R1 750 - 2 600 (double per person sharing)
Each of the seven luxury rooms are double (or twin) with a private patio overlooking the landscaped indigenous gardens, and with access to a nearby swimming pool.
All rooms offer the following:
• En-suite bathrooms with separate bath and shower • Air conditioning • Underfloor heating • Ceiling fan • In-room safe • Well stocked mini-bar • Luxury bed linen • Custom designed soft furnishings • Soothing and pampering private-label toiletries • Bathrobes • Tea and coffee unit • Direct-dial telephone • Discreet housekeeping three times daily • No televisions in rooms • Complimentary wireless internet access available throughout the main lodge
Deluxe Rooms (Main Lodge) (6)
Deluxe Rooms (Main Lodge) (6)
Sleep: 2 Cost: R 2 250 – 3500 (double per person sharing)
All are double rooms with large private patio, bathroom and shower en-suite, heated towel rails, lounge area within bedroom, some with fireplaces.
All rooms offer the following:
• Luxury bed linen • Custom designed soft furnishings • Soothing and pampering private-label toiletries • Bathrobes • Air conditioning • Underfloor heating • Ceiling fans • In-room safe • Well stocked mini-bar • Tea and coffee unit • Direct-dial telephone • Discreet housekeeping three times daily • Complimentary wireless internet access available throughout the main lodge • Satellite flat screen televisions, DVD player, CD player and iPod docking stations
Suites (Main Lodge) (2)
Suites (Main Lodge) (2)
Sleep: 2 Cost: R2 600 - 4 100 (double per person sharing)
Spacious Suites with glorious king-size beds, large private patio, en-suite designer bathroom with Victorian bath and shower, heated towel rails and separate lounge area.
All Suites offer the following:
• Luxury bed linen • Custom designed soft furnishings • Soothing and pampering private-label toiletries • Bathrobes • Air conditioning • Underfloor heating • Ceiling fans • In-room safe • Well stocked mini-bar • Tea and coffee unit • Direct-dial telephone • Discreet housekeeping three times daily • Complimentary wireless internet access available throughout the main lodge
Supreme Riverside Suite (Main Lodge) (1)
Supreme Riverside Suite (Main Lodge) (1)
Sleeps: 2 Cost: R3 100 - 4 600 (double per person sharing)
The Riverside Supreme Suite is more luxurious and more naturalistic than ever before. A complete upgrade to the suite and its facilities blends 21st-century comfort with timeless romance. This is a place where couples can rediscover themselves.
Ensuring that your stay at Riverside is memorable, are complimentary services and amenities that add that extra-special touch.
These include:
• Luxury bed linen • Custom designed soft furnishings • Soothing and pampering private-label toiletries • Bathrobes • Air conditioning • Underfloor heating • Ceiling fans • In-room safe • Well stocked mini-bar • Tea and coffee unit • Direct-dial telephone • Discreet housekeeping three times daily • Complimentary wireless internet access available throughout the main lodge
Facilities:
• Master suite with separate living room and a deluxe bathroom • Private Infinity pool • Outdoor Shower • Large Private Patio • 2 Flatscreen TV’s with Satellite (lounge & bedroom) • Large Collection of DVD’s and CD’s • Wireless internet access • iPod docking station • Air conditioning • Underfloor heating • Ceiling fans • In-room safe • Direct-dial telephone • Tea and Coffee unit
Koro Lodge
Koro Lodge
Sleeps: 16 Cost: from R13 000 – 22 000 (per villa per night)
Koro Lodge is an existing farmhouse, nestled in the reserve, that has been completely renovated and transformed into an spectacular intimate villa, surrounded by open vistas of wilderness and wildlife, joining ultimate luxury with nature. It is available all year round for families and friends and provides the perfect, relaxed and welcoming space to enjoy the complete wilderness adventure.
This fully independently catered for family experience, promises that together with your children, you can discover, enrich, explore and enjoy the wonders of nature, and where life long bonding memories can be made.
The private villa is comfortably and luxuriously styled with beautiful, handcrafted South African objects and furnishings, in natural vibrant earth colours and is designed and equipped to provide every need and service to satisfy. It boasts every amenity for both adults and children, from a fully equipped kitchen and bar, flat screen TV's, independent cable channels, DVD players, music, games, air conditioning, underfloor heating and wi-fi.
The two sun filled master bedrooms with private terraces, uninterrupted views of the reserve, have en-suite bathrooms and every luxury to touch and please the senses.
The living room offers the ideal space to relax and unwind, and for cosy dinners by the warmth of the open fireplace for those cold winter nights. The stylish interiors have captured the rich colours of Africa, creating a mood of harmony and well being. A large terrace surrounds the house, inspiring the name "Koro," which means "open vistas" in the San language.
Inhale the magnificent views morning, noon and night, whether sipping a cocktail from the refreshing rock pool, or feasting from delicious choices from the outdoor braai and the homemade delicacies specially prepared for you.
A cleverly designed loft area, upstairs from the main living area, comfortably sleeps 4 children of all ages, while allowing them to sleep, rest and play in private, yet within close proximity to their parents.
Independent but within metres from the main villa, is a fun and practically furnished family living space, with an en suite bathroom accommodating 2 teenagers or adults.
It is fully equipped to entertain with a flat screen TV, games, DVD's, independent cable channels, underfloor heating and air conditioning.
Located approximately 4 kilometres from the main lodge, and within easy walking distance of one of the main dams, the lodge will be completely private and will include the services of its own Chef and Guide for the duration of your family getaway.
A special fun fulfilled children's programme will be offered to entertain and stimulate, in addition to exciting outdoor family or group activities such as mountain biking, canoeing (equipped with life jackets), hiking, star gazing, and swimming.
Luxury rooms – R1 750 - 2 600 Deluxe rooms – R 2 250 - 3500 Suites – R2 600 - 4 100 Riverside Superior Suite – R3 100 - 4 600 Exclusive Use of Lodge – R56 00 - 83 200
Prices vary depending on season:
Low Season: 1 Apr – 31 Aug High Season: 1 Nov 09 – 17 Dec 09,7 Jan 10 – 31 Mar 10 & 1 Sep – 31 Oct Peak Season: 18 Dec – 06 Jan
£284.00
Kind Points:63
02-Oct-2009
31-Dec-2012
KORO LODGE
Per villa per night:
Low Season: 1 Apr – 31 Aug: R13 000 High Season: 1 Nov 09 – 17 Dec ,7 Jan – 31 Mar & 1 Sep – 31 Oct: R17 500 Peak Season: 18 Dec – 06 Jan: R22 000
£1059.00
Kind Points:238
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Nature & Kind Factor
Our Trusted Partner's Responsible and Sustainable Travel Policy
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat is the proud Global Winner of Wildlife Conservations Programs in the Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Awards (2009), and won the coveted Relais & Châteaux Environment Trophy in 2007. Its’ entire operation is based on sound environmental conservation practices. This covers a wide spectrum: from the implementation of a comprehensive reserve management plan, ongoing monitoring of water quality, rainfall, soil erosion, vegetation cover and wildlife to prevent degradation, to environmentally friendly solid waste disposal and advanced Biolytix waste water processing system.
All management actions are governed by a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan, rati? ed by the Bushmans Kloof Conservation Trust. Each trustee is an expert in a particular ?eld including wildlife management, botany, archaeology and cultural heritage. Bushmans Kloof makes regular use of the services of the Nature Conservation Corporation, an independent environmental management consultant. Bushmans Kloof supports the following environmental organizations:
Cape Leopard Trust (sponsorship of research by means of GPS collars) South African Botanical Society and Cape Nature (saving the Clanwilliam Cedar tree) Northern Cederberg Conservancy (participation in ? re protection, alien vegetation eradication and promotion of eco-friendly farming techniques) Bushmans Kloof has furthermore developed active relationships with the following organisations: Archaeology department of the University of Cape Town SAHRA (South African Heritage Resource Agency) South African Department of Environmental Affairs University of Stellenbosch SCARCE project (a pilot survey of amphibians and reptiles in the Cederberg) Cape Town and Western Cape Tourism Association (membership). We ensure minimal impact by tourists on the environment through implemention of the following:
Strict protocol is adhered to at archaeological and rock art sites Guests are educated in terms of the protection and respect for rock art sites Particularly sensitive rock art sites are closed to the public, but interpreted through high-quality MS Power Point presentations Only indigenous wildlife species are introduced on the reserve Irrigation of the gardens is done through micro-jet irrigation and at judicious times to limit unnecessary evaporation Treated grey water is used to irrigate the larger grassed areas Only biodegradable detergents are used Guests are encouraged to assist in the property’s water saving policies and are made aware of the need for water conservation in the Western Cape Lodge sewage is treated in a Biolytix system (raw sewage is broken down by worms) All non-organic waste is transported off the property to the Clanwilliam municipal dump site Organic waste is used as mulch and compost in the gardens All the swimming pools are salt chlorinated Vehicles are prohibited from driving off-road All roads are maintained annually Hiking trails are carefully marked and maintained All ?rewood in the lodge is sourced from alien vegetation such as Port Jackson Willow All infrastructural development follows strict environmental scoping protocols before submission for ? nal approval from the regional district municipality.
Bushmans Kloof has been largely instrumental in the pilot project to involve the local farming community to ultimately create the Cederberg Biosphere Reserve, which will consist of the Biedouw River Conservancy, the Wuppertal Conservancy, and the Cederberg Wilderness Area.
Pro?ts generated through eco-tourism is re-invested in the local community by training and employing staff from the local area, in particular the town of Wuppertal. The Community initiatives include the following:
The Wuppertal Community (German Moravian mission station 40 km from Bushmans Kloof – providing employment and purchasing of products for use at the lodge, such as rooibos tea and leather goods) Elizabethfontein Primary School (support and contribute towards the upliftment and environmental education of the local children) West Coast Municipality (support through improvement of local infrastructure).
A number of research projects have been initiated at Bushmans Kloof including:
A comprehensive survey of the Cederberg reptiles and amphibians for conservation and ecotourism, by the University of Stellenbosch SCARCE Unit A photographic Cape mountain zebra identi? cation project A leopard survey project by The Cape Leopard Trust. The lodge monitors enviromental impact through the following steps: Waste levels are monitored and reported on a monthly basis Hazardous chemicals are stored in a secure place, kept on register and reported on monthly Roads and infrastructure are monitored annually Together with Bushmans Kloof’s resident archaeologist Siyakha Mguni, Professor John Parkington, Head of the Archaeology department at the University of Cape Town (UCT) monitors the rock art on a continuous basis Wildlife populations are counted from the air annually The Bushmans Kloof Conservation Trust meets bi-annually An internal and external environmental audit is carried out on an annual basis.
Adhering to the adage, ‘to measure is to manage’, Bushmans Kloof’s ? eld guides have developed a number of important scienti? c monitoring programmes, which include rock art, vegetation, soil erosion, human impact, water quality, wildlife and rainfall. The data is stored on a database and statistically analysed to detect long term changes and ?uctuations in the natural equilibrium. Monitoring forms the cornerstone of planning and decision-making and is constantly updated and reassessed.
Bushmans Kloof is proud custodian to over 130 remarkable documented rock art sites – some dating back 10 000 years – left behind by one of mankind’s earliest societies, the San. Since its inception, Bushmans Kloof has shown a rare dedication to the preservation of this rich cultural treasure, and, accordingly has been awarded South African Natural Heritage status. To further research the knowledge of this remarkable culture, Siyakha Mguni, a dedicated and knowledgeable Rock Art archaeologist was appointed as Resident Archaeologist and Curator. His primary function is the recording, documenting and research of all the rock art sites in the reserve, in order to create a database linked to a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform. Mguni also lectures and assists the University of Cape Town’s Clanwilliam-based Living Landscape Project, and further trains the guides at Bushmans Kloof in current rock art analysis and interpretation, based on new research being conducted all over the continent. Siyakha Mguni was awarded the coveted UK Antiquity Journal Ben Cullen Prize for 2006, for his paper ‘King’s monuments: identifying ‘formlings’ in southern African San rock art paintings’. This follows closely after Mguni announced his discovery of a rare rock art site at Bushmans Kloof, which is of great signi? cance as a ceremonial rock art site.
Guests at Bushmans Kloof may enjoy daily rock art walks to discover the caves and sites, which has been recognised as ‘the world’s largest open-air art gallery’. Trained guides provide insight into the rich cultural history of the San, a tribe of diminutive ochre-skinned hunter-gatherers who traversed this area in search of food and water, for thousands of years.
In September 2004 the Bushmans Kloof Heritage Centre was opened, which features the Rudner Collection, as well as other authentic, irreplaceable Bushman artefacts that include jewellery, dancing sticks, hunting kits, musical instruments, digging sticks and magic sets, to offer further insight into the history and lives of the San people.
Bushmans Kloof is also custodian of the legendary ‘Englishman’s Grave’, and maintains the lonely grave site, which is located on the periphery just outside the reserve on the road towards Wupperthal. Bearing the inscription ‘Brave and True’ this Anglo Boer War memorial was erected by the mother of a young British soldier, Vinicombe Winchester Clowes, who was a lieutenant in the First Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. He died here on 30 January 1901 at the age of 21, when British forces were attempting to prevent incursions into the Cape Colony by the Boer Commandos under General Smuts.
Arguably the greatest environmental threat to Bushmans Kloof’s biodiversity is the encroachment of the Port Jackson willow (Acacia saligna), an alien tree species introduced from Australia in the 1800’s to stabilise the dunes of the Cape Flats area. With little local competition, this species spread like wild ? re, migrating north and east, invading areas of indigenous Fynbos and colonising riparian river banks.
Since inception, Bushmans Kloof has invested an enormous amount of money and manpower in an attempt to remove this scourge, and the results have been very satisfactory. Every year, local teams are employed to cut, pull, poison and burn several hectares of infestation. The seedless dry branches are then chopped and used as mulch to brush- pack and stabilise disturbed areas. It seems like a thankless task as the enormous seed bank built up over the years is incredibly viable, resulting in a new crop of seedlings every year. However, the Port Jackson species has been virtually eradicated from the Boontjies and Perdekraal tributaries, with only a small area below the Main Dam wall remaining.
This project not only removes aliens, but provides much needed work and income to the local community.
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, together with the Botanical Society and Western Cape Nature Conservation, has given its commitment to support the Clanwilliam Cedar Tree Project. Bushmans Kloof grows sapling in its nursery and hosts an annual tree and seed planting ceremony in an effort to reintroduce this highly endangered tree into its natural habitat, and speci? cally around Bushmans Kloof.
The Cederberg mountains are named after the Clanwilliam cedars (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis) that were once abundant on the upper slopes, and are now faced with possible extinction. The number of trees has declined dramatically over the past two centuries, partly due to unsustainable exploitation, and partly due to an increase in ? re frequency.
The Clanwilliam cedar is listed as endangered on the Red Data List, and has been short-listed onto a global list of 43 conifer species that are worthy of special conservation attention. The Bushmans Kloof Special Collection Bushmans Kloof has selected the following plants that occur naturally on the Reserve, as part of its very own Special Collection:
Naturally occurring only here in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape, the indigenous Rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis) is renowned across the world for its extraordinarily powerful qualities, proven health bene? ts and delicious, nutty taste.
The Rooibos plant was widely used by the Khoisan in the region as a herbal remedy for many different ailments, and it is believed that this ancient culture was the ? rst to discover that the needle-like Rooibos leaves could be used to make a refreshing brew.
Growing wild across the expanse of the Bushmans Kloof reserve, Rooibos has been introduced extensively into all aspects of the lodge operations, and in its many forms, uses and guises, is an integral part of the Bushmans Kloof experience.
From the refreshing, chilled Iced Rooibos Tea served on arrival as ‘signature welcome drink’, and the deliciously fragrant, hand-made Rooibos soap in guest bathrooms, to a steaming pot of Rooibos tea served at High Tea, it is essential to the guest experience here. On a culinary level the Chef makes use of Rooibos tea as ingredient in some of our Cape Country Cuisine dishes, which has led Bushmans Kloof to be a proud contributor to Rooibos Limited’s newly published Rooibos Cookbook. Extracts of the Rooibos plant are also used in Bushmans Kloof’s spa products - a proudly South African anti-ageing body and skincare range called Africology that is applied in various innovative, therapeutic face and body treatments.
View the expansive environment and indigenous game with daily nature drives through the reserve including: Gemsbok, Bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, Eland, Red hartebeest, Black wildebeest, Vaalrhebok, Klipspringer, Springbok and Steenbok 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 king? sher, African ? sh eagle and Black harrier.
Sightings of Aardwolf, African wildcat, Bat eared fox, Cape fox and Porcupine are possible. The owners declined the option to establish the ‘Big 5’ as Bushmans Kloof remains committed to the ethos of creating a credible, indigenous Western Cape reserve where guests may wander and explore the reserve in complete safety to appreciate the smaller, yet equally signifi cant wonders of nature. The objective is to create a unique wilderness reserve in the Cederberg Mountains as it was when the San people roamed the land 300 years ago.
Bushmans Kloof has been instrumental in the quest to save the rare and endangered Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) from extinction and is the proud owner of one of the largest privately owned herds among the estimated total population of 1200 animals worldwide. In genetic terms this still represents a small population, but is a vast improvement of the just over 400 recorded in 1984. It is considered the largest mammal in South Africa to have come so close to extinction, a fate that sadly, awaited the Quagga, an extinct sub species of the plains zebra.
Historically, Cape mountain zebra existed throughout the Cape Fold Belt Mountains and the edge of the Great Escarpment of the Cape Province where its fast-growing hooves adapted to the type of rocky terrain inhabited. Natural populations survived in three conservation areas: the Mountain Zebra National Park at Cradock, and the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve and Kamanassie Nature Reserve in the Oudtshoorn district. Herds were subsequently established in a number of other locations, including Bushmans Kloof.
Bushmans Kloof Head guide is currently photographing and documenting each of the zebras on the property for the ‘studbook’, a valuable tool used to determine the reproductive success of individual zebra. In layman terms: ‘tracing the family tree of each individual’. The ‘studbook’ also monitors movement of individuals between breeding and bachelor herds.
Further demonstrating the commitment Bushmans Kloof has to the preservation and protection of indigenous wildlife, it has undertaken to support another major conservation project: The Cape Leopard Trust. This organization is dedicated to the conservation of the Cape’s predator diversity, and in particular, the leopard (Panthera pardus) as the ? agship species. Bushmans Kloof is a primary sponsor of the Global Positioning Satellite systems (GPS) collaring project for the leopard - the apex predator in the Western Cape.
In August 2005 the ? rst Global Positioning Satellite system (GPS) collar was ? tted to a leopard for monitoring purposes, before the animal was released in the wild.
The Cape Leopard Trust works towards conserving the Cape’s predator diversity through simultaneously implementing conservation and research projects, and tourism initiatives. The leopard is utilized as ‘? agship species’ to highlight the plight of the trust and to ? nd effective ways to facilitate harmonious co-existence between these magni? cent animals and farm owners in the region.
Bushmans Kloof has provided funds that have enabled the Trust to acquire GPS collars with tracking devices that will allow them to determine the home range and behaviour of leopards in the Cederberg Mountains of the Western Cape.
In turn this will supply invaluable information pertaining to leopard ecology in this area. It was the ?rst time ever that GPS collars was used to research the leopard in the Cape.
Small and Large-mouthed Bass from the USA were introduced to the Western Cape river systems during the last century in an attempt to “improve” sport ? shing. These aggressive species set about devouring the indigenous ?sh eggs and juvenile ? sh to the extent that indigenous species were soon ? ghting for survival. In the past Bushmans Kloof offered excellent bass ?shing in its three dams. It has since initiated a project to prioritise the conservation of the highly endangered Clanwilliam yellow ? sh (revered by ? y ? shermen as the ‘freshwater bone? sh’), which is entirely endemic to the Olifants River system, including the Doring and Biedouw tributaries.
The Bushmans Kloof catchment area is an important nursery for the young fry (juvenile ? sh) which migrate downstream in the wet winter months. The project involves systematically eradicating all alien ? sh from the dams that feed on the fragile river systems. At the same time, these dams are restocked with Yellow ? sh ? ngerlings caught in nets in the Biedouw River.
Two other species that are introduced are the Clanwilliam red? n and the Saw? n, both endemic to the Olifants River system. Gravel beds have been laid at the mouth of the Boontjies River that feeds the main dam, to assist the adult Yellow ? sh upstream to spawn again in spring.
During the summer this should result in excellent ‘catch-and-release’ ? y-? shing in the rock pools of the Boontjies and Perdekraal tributaries and all the way to the lodge. Currently ?y-? shing is available in the deeper rock pools, with reasonably sized Yellow ? sh being caught with may? y nymphs or bead-head ?ies. Depending on the success of the project, Bushmans Kloof may be in a position to offer very exciting ? y-? shing in its main dam within the next two years.
About our Trusted Partner
This Relais & Chateaux lodge is an oasis of luxury in a breathtaking landscape of savage untamed beauty, 270 kilometres from Cape Town. The all inclusive stay offers exceptional value and the ultimate wilderness and wellness experience. A malaria and predator free sanctuary to endangered species of wildlife and flora, with over 130 Bushman rock art sites and one of South Africa's Natural Heritage Sites. Koro Lodge, an exclusive, fully catered for villa in the reserve is ideal for families with young children or groups of friends seeking their own private wilderness.
Bushman's Kloof : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Bushman's Kloof
Main lodge exterior : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Main lodge exterior
Rock art : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Rock art
Bontebok : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Bontebok
Nature drive : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Nature drive
Eland : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Eland
Makana : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Makana
Embers : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Embers
Kadoro : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Kadoro
Supreme suite : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Supreme suite
Spa : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Spa
Koro Lodge : Bushmans Kloof at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
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