Baviaanskloof
The Baviaanskloof is a hidden paradise for all adventurous overland travelers, nestled on the Western boundary of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. For those of you who don’t know much about the Baviaanskloof; the name translates to “Valley of the Baboons,” and the region has a fascinating history dating back thousands of years. The region has been inhabited by various indigenous groups, including the Khoi-San, who were the first known settlers and later, the area became a significant route for early European explorers and settlers. Today the Baviaanskloof is a protected area rich in cultural and historical heritage, inhabited by a wonderful diverse community of farmers, artists and all sorts of interesting people with warm hearts and interesting stories.
Starting our overland adventure in beautiful Plettenberg Bay our home at the time, we decided on the scenic drive over the historic Prince Alfred Pass. This iconic pass, constructed in the late 1800s by Thomas Baines and a few hundred laborers, offers breath-taking vistas of the surrounding mountains and forests. The journey through the pass is an adventure in itself, as it winds its way through rugged terrain and will leave you in awe of the skills of those who built it. The farm stall at De Vlugt is a great place to stop for refreshments and Adri the owner is a fantastic host. There is a very detailed article about the Prince Alfred’s pass that we recommend reading at the bottom of this blog for those who are interested in finding out more about it.
En route to the Baviaanskloof, after making it through the pass, we headed past Uniondale onto Willowmore along the N9 to spend the night with some old friends and long-time Willowmore locals Ian and Jane Zaayman. Ian’s family have run the Petrol station in Willowmore (supporting all who enter the Baviaanskloof) for more than 79 years! Not many of those types of local businesses are left unfortunately. Willowmore is the last place you will have to refuel before entering “The Kloof” and we highly recommend filling up at the Zaayman garage before turning onto the R332. While you fill up ask if you can walk inside the old showroom and look at some of the photographs on the wall from the 1950s. Willowmore is a quant Karoo town full of unique spots to visit and if you have the time we would recommend spending a night there getting to know the locals quant restaurants, art galleries and architecture the town has to offer.
The next morning we filled up at Zaaymans Engen and forced Ian into a short video interview. Luckily Ian is a natural spokesman and nailed the interview on the first take in English nogal! View our meet the locals videos below to meet Ian, a true Willowmore gentlemen and lifesaver if you have any vehicle issues. The footage is slightly out of focus, but Mr Zaayman is a busy man and we couldn’t re-shoot the video so had to make do. Once you leave Willowmore it’s a short drive to the R332, and when your wheels hit the dirt road the real kloof adventure begins. The R332 road spans approximately 200 kilometres from Willowmore down the Nuwekloof pass into the Baviaanskloof farming community and then through the National Park (4×4 access only) onto Patensie as you exit the park which will lead you back to the N2.
Upon driving the Kloof you will notice the limited mobile reception, which is one of the aspects that makes Baviaanskloof a truly special experience. It’s a chance to escape the hectic pace of modern life and fully embrace the serenity and beauty of the surroundings. As we drove along, we noticed a white Land cruiser (very well kept) that was speedily approaching us, and realized it was Nico Smith from Uitspan behind the wheel. We waved him down and in true Baviaanskloof spirit he pulls over for a chat. Lance convinces him to do a short interview and we pulled the camera out. Nico is a legend in the Baviaanskloof and the man you go to if you have any mechanical problems or need a place to spend a night or two. He owns and runs Uitspan Baviaanskloof which is a beautiful and neat camping ground for overlanders but also has some chalets if you need extra comfort. The hiking on offer is wonderful and you are likely to be joined by Blackie, Nico’s friendly sheep dog who knows the Kloof better than anyone. We decided we could not pass up the chance to spend a night at Uitspan and catch up with Nico. If you make it to Uitspan ask Nico about the 4×4 track he carved single handed in a grader up the mountain and if you feeling brave give it a go but be warned… It’s not for the faint hearted. After a rum and coke with Nico he arranged some dry wood for us and we settled around the fire to enjoy the sounds of the Kloof before snuggling up in the back of the Land cruiser.
The next day there was only one place we needed to spend the morning and that was the beautiful Cedar Falls. These falls are located just past the Maakedat caves and the place where you will find the well-known Leopard trail and the Cedar waterfalls. To gain access to the trail you will have to check-in and pay a day visitors fee at the office where you will most likely have the honour of meeting William, the caretaker of the Leopard Trail and old Baviaanskloof local. It’s about a 1hour 45min walk into the Kloof to the waterfalls, take note that temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius and more in Summer, so we recommend an early start which allows for a cool off swim when you reach the water. The falls are beautiful, there was no-one there and we couldn’t help but enjoy a good skinny dip in the cool pools. After our refreshing swim we decided it was time to head back to the car and hit the road towards the Western Gate of the National Park, which is around 60kms away from Cedar Falls, and allow time for a stop off to see some special people on the way.
First stop was Vero’s restaurant and craft shop for her famous roosterkoek straight off the fire and for her internet / WIFI so we could kill two birds with one stone; filling our bellies and catching up on some work emails. Vero is an absolute sweetheart and every cent you spend here goes towards supporting a good cause. You can call Vero ahead of time and pre-order roosterkoek’s to take with you on your journey and re-heat on the fire for dinner. Get her details in the Meet the locals section below. Next stop was to Sewefontein Fig Tree Forest to meet with Patrick the local tour guide and the friendliest man you will ever meet. Patrick provides tours through the Figtree Forest and is a walking, talking encyclopedia of the region. It is well worth stopping here and supporting the cause, not to mention enjoying the beauty of the lush Fig Tree Forest where you can enjoy many bird species such as the local Touraco Corythaix also known as the Knysna Lourie. It’s a good idea to bring some snacks and enjoy a picnic in the forest after the tour. Cash is Queen here and make sure you bring some along to pay the tiny fee for a guided tour. After our time with Patrick, we decided to stop at Kamerkloof Baviaanskloof Hartland, where you will find luxurious accommodation, the best olives we have tried and local art at the gallery on the beautiful property. The owners, Su and Andre have a treasure chest of stories to share about their 50 years of experience in the Kloof and we were lucky to have the honor of spending sometime chatting to Andre whose son Nick (another legend) is farming coffee in Columbia! Interesting places, meeting interesting people. That’s what overlanding is all about and the Baviaanskloof is full of it.
The last farm before you arrive at the Western Gate to the National Park is named Zandvlakte. At this special farm you might just be able to meet Pieter, Magriet and possibly Marita Kruger who deserve special mention because of the wonderful work this family does to protect the Baviaanskloof and support the community. The knowledge they have of the plant life in the area is second to none and their research has founded many projects aimed at restoring the land. Marita along with others in the community teach at the Zandvlakte primary school on the property and we urge anyone visiting the area to please bring any clothes, books and any other items you might have that the school could use. While visiting the farm Marita took us out to a Kudu carcass left behind from a recent Leopard kill. Pieter was the first to protect the Leopards in the area and continues to work on projects with them. The infrared footage at the end of our video below was captured on Zandvlakte farm and kindly shared with us by Pieter. Zandvlakte is a must visit destination in the Baviaanskloof and you would be seriously missing out if you didn’t spend a night or two there. While visiting with Pieter and Marita Chris Lampbrecht and his sons arrived from ‘Rus en Vrede 4×4 & accommodation’. We had a good time chatting with them and learning about the grade 2 4×4 trail that runs from Kareedouw in the South into the Baviaanskloof. It sounds like a real adventure and please find the link and details below to find out more info.
After Zandvlakte we headed on about 3kms and arrived at the Western Gate of the Baviaanskloof National Park which is run by the Eastern Cape Parks board. To fully appreciate the wonders of Baviaanskloof, camping inside the national park is a must. As a remote and pristine area, it is essential to come well-prepared and a 4×4 with high clearance is essential if there has been any rain in the area. At the gate you are likely to meet Clive who was born and bred in the Baviaanskloof. A very friendly man who spends most of his time welcoming travellers into the park. He knows the roads like the back of his hand and will let you know what the conditions are like. We didn’t use 4×4 but only because it was extremely dry. If it was raining, we would have locked the wheels at the gate so as to not have to get out when approaching the multiple streams / river crossings you encounter inside the park. There are three campsite options inside the park namely, Komdomo, Rooihoek and Doodsklip campsite. Our choice would be Rooihoek in the valley as seen in the video. You can also stay at the Bergplaas Trail Hut and Geelhoutbos Lodge, rates depend on the season and you can find all the info you need at the “Visit Eastern Cape” website below. When you are inside the park keep your eyes out for the Cape Buffalo, some of the biggest and darkest we have seen in the thick bush, and for the Cape Mountain Zebra before you begin your decent down Combrinks pass. The plant life inside the park is what really makes this place unique and special. A thousand different plant species with the beautiful Erica and some of the best protea flowers you will find. It is Disneyland for botanists and we urge anyone visiting to take time to stop and identify the plants along the way. A great book to have with you is Plants of the Baviaanskloof by Douglas Euston-Brown and Magriet Kruger. The calmness inside the park is truly rejuvenating and adds an extra layer of magic to the overall overlanding experience. As mentioned before this is a special place and one not too be missed.
Tourism plays a crucial role in the survival of Baviaanskloof and its local community. The income generated from responsible tourism helps sustain the local economy and supports conservation efforts. The Baviaanskloof provides an unparalleled overlanding experience and by respecting the region and its inhabitants, we can continue to enjoy and preserve this extraordinary part of the world. Please be sure to show the utmost respect to the local community and leave no trace of your visit. So, pack your bags, embark on this unforgettable journey, and let Baviaanskloof cast its spell on you.
By visiting this region, travellers contribute to the preservation of its unique natural and cultural heritage, ensuring that future generations can also experience the wonders of Baviaanskloof. We hope you enjoyed reading our blog post. Please share your comments below, we would love to hear from you and appreciate any feedback you might have.
Meet the locals:
Ian Zaaiman
Owner of Zaaimans Petrol Station in Willowmore. Need to fill up and re-supply before entering the Baviaanskloof, this is the place to do it. Ian is a legend in these parts and is always willing to help. Contact Ian – 044 923 1007
Nico Smith
Owner of the Baviaanskloof Uitspan Camping and Accommodation (dogs allowed). Nico is the master of Toyota Land-Cruisers’, built a very scary 4×4 route and is an all round nice guy. Stop over for a night or two at Uitspan Contact Uitspan – 044 007 0114
William MaGani
Caretaker of the Leopard trail. A legend in “The Kloof” who you will most likely meet should you visit Cedar guest house. The man is a friendly character and a true custodian of the land. Contact Cedar Falls – 074 939 4395
Vero Maganie
Owner of Vero’s Restaurant and craft shop. Vero offers WIFI and the most delicious roosterkoek menu you will find on this stretch. Pre-order your roosterkoeks to keep for pad kos. Enjoy the little garden & relax. Contact Vero’s – 083 955 1993
Patrick Ruiters
Local Sewefontein Fig Tree Forest tour guide. Patrick is extremely passionate about his profession and the Baviaanskloof region and you’re sure to learn something new. The fig forest is a must see destination in the Kloof. Contact Patrick – 087 701 0070
Andre Marais Reynek
Owner of Kamerkloof Baviaanskloof Hartland, a secluded olive farm. In awe of this region since 1974, Andre and his wife Su run their accommodation, olive groves, olive oil & products, sustainable farming & community projects here. Contact – 087 700 4466
Chris Lamprecht
Owner of Baviaanskloof 4×4 and Accommodation on the Rus en Vrede Farm. He hosts the 4×4 route from Baviaanskloof to Kareedouw or visa versa. It is guaranteed to get your blood pumping. Contact – 073 232 8932
Marita Kruger
School teacher in the Baviaanskloof, Marita asks for any unwanted items for the local community school. The work these teachers do is inspirational and deserves every visitors support. Contact – 084 550 1070
Pieter Kruger
Owner of Zandvlakte, protector of the Leopard, founder of multiple restoration and conservation projects. The man is a hero and a gentlemen. Zandvlakte is the last farm before the Western Gate into the National park. Contact – 084 550 1070
Baviaanskloof
We would have loved to visit and capture media at all the places but perhaps on our next trip to the kloof. Click the ‘learn more’ button to see all the gems and places of the Baviaanskloof. Below you will also find some useful tips and links to help you when travelling into the kloof.
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Useful tips & links
Baviaanskloof quick tips:
- No ATM's - bring Cash
- No Petrol/ Diesel - Fill up in Willowmore or Patensie.
- Limited/No Cellphone Reception
- To drive in the Nature Reserve a 4 x 4 vehicle is required
- Basic Food & Amenities - Shop before you come.
- Their are two small restaurants in the kloof
- People in need - bring your old clothes/ books/ unwanted items.
- Click to open tourist map
- No ATM’s bring Cash approximately R1000 for the Nature Reserve gate
- Bring your headtorch, camera, phone & chargers with adapters.
- Fill up with water when you can. We managed with 5Litres per day (2 people).
- Pack a First Aid Kit (purchase at clicks or any pharmacy)
- Sedan vehicle on the western side. 4 x 4 vehicles on eastern side.
- WIFI available at most accommodation & Vero’s Shop
- Coffee shops/small restaurants are available – Vero’s and Bavijaan’s Padstal
- Map’s are available at the Zaaymans petrol station or ask at your accommodation.
- No Petrol /Diesel available in the kloof. Bring extra if you need to. Fill up in Willowmore/Patensie
- Rucksack for hiking and other items you might acquire
- No reception in the kloof – there is a little bit of signal close to “bergplaas” hut.
- Varied Accommodation in the kloof; camp, dorm, cottage, cave, caravan, luxury and farm house.
- Bring any old clothes for the people in need – drop at “Zandvlakte”
- Cedar Falls is a beautiful day hike (10km) with natural pools. (R90 p/p)
- One main trading store– Babes se Winkel, fresh produce, soap, basic home items. Pack Meat and specific dietary foods prior.
- Click here to view the Gamtoos Tourist Map