Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat is a sought-after destination, offering opulent luxury within a remote and pristine wilderness that astounds with its dramatic vistas. It’s easy to see why Bushman’s Kloof is regularly voted one of the top resorts in Africa.
Located high in the Cedarberg Mountains of the western cape, Bushman’s Kloof is an unusual wilderness reserve. Situated in what is generally a harsh and inhospitable place, it is an island of greenery, and offers the kind of comforts one would associate with a Relais & Chateaux accreditation.
About Bushmans Kloof
Bushmans Kloof is a luxury oasis of 7500 hectares in the Cederberg mountains with majestic views, staggering rock formations, open plains and varied outdoor activities. There are 16 luxurious rooms and suites, award-winning Cape cuisine and a wellness centre deeply rooted in Nature, all combining to create a unique wilderness adventure. Koro Lodge provides a fully independently catered for experience for families and friends travelling together, with private guide and game viewing vehicle, a dedicated chef and hostess.
A stay here encompasses time around the homestead with its bar, wine cellar, restaurant, terrace and two lounges that invite you to make yourself at home. There are four pools, one heated, a fascinating heritage centre, spa and fitness centre, as well as open dining in Makana and secret dining spots to discover.
The lodge offers 14 spacious rooms, two suites, and two villas in a secluded location within the reserve. All are individually decorated with a beautiful collection of handpicked art, décor, antiques, and heritage furniture pieces that celebrate the history and culture of the region.
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There are 4 classes of room: luxury (7), deluxe (6), suite (2) and the supreme suite. Each luxury room comes with a wrought iron double bed, seating, a balcony and separate bathroom. Characterised by sisal carpeting, curtains, exposed beams, cavernous ceilings, handmade furniture and high density mattresses, the rooms are simply and stylishly furnished, and the bathrooms include a bath, shower, sinks and flush toilet. As they go up in class, the rooms get bigger, offer more amenities, and hold extra lounges. Particular favourites are the Cedar Falls and Rock Pools deluxe rooms situated at the bottom end of the property, both of which have access to their own private swimming pool.
History of the Cederberg
The Cederberg Mountains are 500 million years old and once supported vegetation, birds, fish, reptiles and mammals in perfect balance. Elephant, Lion and Black Rhino were abundant and endless Antelope herds roamed the land. The nomadic Bushman called this home and left a legacy of mystical paintings on rocky overhangs that depict their myths, rituals and the abundance of life that surrounded them. Sadly, by 1900 the Bushman culture was close to extinction and the herds had given way to farms and agriculture.
In 1991 Bill and Mark McAdam purchased seven farms in a valley encompassing 7500 hectares of overgrazed and neglected land. They made it their mission to create an unparalleled retreat and game reserve, and started by removing the sheep, allowing the fynbos to slowly but surely return to its former splendour and reintroducing game.
In 2000 Bushmans Kloof Lodge was opened so that the public could enjoy this remarkable location. It was accredited to the prestigious Relais and Chateaux association, and remains amongst the world’s premiere eco-lodges. 2004 saw the United Nations World Heritage Committee recognise the Cape Floral Region as a World Heritage Site. In the same year, the Tollman Family Trust acquired the property. Internationally renowned hoteliers of South African origin, the Tollman family continue the McAdams’ principles of conservation and compassion, as well as sharing the unique qualities of South Africa and its heritage.
Wildlife on the Reserve
Bushmans Kloof protects one of the largest private herds of Cape Mountain Zebra in the world, an animal saved from the brink of extinction. The Cape Mountain Zebra is identified by its bold black and white stripes, as opposed to its savannah-dwelling cousin, the Burchell’s Zebra, which has brown ‘shadow’ stripes, and a creamy undercoat.
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The wildlife reintroduction programme has seen the return of the Bontebok, Red Hartebeest, Grey Rhebok and the 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 outcrops of the reserve. Also found here is the elusive and protected Cape Leopard.
All the same, Kloof is not known for its wildlife. There are however 35 species of mammal with eland, oryx, aardwolf and some smaller gazelle. The reserve is also home to 29 of the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra.
Rock Art and Heritage
Bushman tribes have lived in these mountains for 120000 years and are said to be mankind’s oldest nation. Here, we find evidence of their lives on rocks stained with oxide pigments, honoured and protected today. Bushmans Kloof is the custodian of over 130 unique rock art sites, some as old as 10000 years. The sites on the reserve may be viewed by guests, archaeologists and researchers. Since its founding, Bushmans Kloof has been dedicated to protecting this extraordinary treasure. These sites are visited as one of the activities on offer.
One of the main attractions is the rich offering of Rock art, evidence of early man from thousands of years back. On our morning excursion we took a drive to this site for a closer look.
Bespoke guided tours of various sites are provided by the resident expert Londi, who we were lucky enough to have as our guide for the duration of our visit. Londi told us at length about what was known of the artists, the ‘San People’, or Bushmen, and the perceived meaning of their paintings. Of course, the interpretations of the art were more than a little heteronormative and played squarely into conventional views on gender, surprising for this open-minded ‘rainbow nation’. But they were still impressive, not just in their number, but in the quality of their intricate detail and extraordinarily vivid hues - derived oxide pigments - considering their almost unfathomable age.
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In 2004, the Bushmans Kloof Heritage Centre was opened, with a rich collection of priceless artefacts, jewellery, dancing sticks, hunting kits, musical instruments, digging sticks and magical paraphernalia. Well worth spending time in.
The Heritage Centre at Bushmans Kloof provides an opportunity to gain wonderful insight into the distinctive and fascinating history of the Bushman in the Cederberg wilderness area. The centre houses a collection of artefacts established by the late anthropologist, Jalmar Rudner, and includes jewellery, hunting equipment, dancing sticks, musical instruments and magical paraphernalia. Photographic portraits depicting Bushman culture and customs are accompanied by informative texts.
Activities at Bushmans Kloof
Beyond the obvious and the beauty, here a strong sense of community, a commitment to nature and dedication to conservation with a focus on the Cape leopard and annual Cedar Tree planting. Life seems to march on much slower at Bushmans Kloof - despite the huge menu of optional activities on offer. The peaceful, quiet and serene setting definitely lends itself to doing very little each day!
Bushmans Kloof provides a host of activities in the predator and malaria-free reserve; guests are free to explore the breath taking landscape on their own. It is a place to reconnect with yourself, and to reconnect with the earth. Roam over wide-open spaces, explore the sculpted rocks, crystalline waterfalls and abundant flora and fauna.
Other activities include walking, mountain biking, river walks, canoeing, swimming in crystal clear natural rock pools and bird watching. It is the perfect environment for painting, photography, stargazing, picnics and reading.
Nature Drives and Walks
Guides are available to take you on walking tours or game drives in the reserve, and as much as you may head out in search of game, its the ever-changing landscapes that will take your breath away. Sundowners and picnics are ever-popular, served at scenic spots throughout the drive. On the one morning, as we came around one bend, set up for our indulgence, was a pancake station with the chef making a fresh batch that we could enjoy overlooking the dam.
Organic Garden Tours
Take a tour of the organic garden where abundant fruit trees, herbs and vegetables are grown seasonally. The kitchen gardens are enhanced by indigenous species with medicinal qualities that you can learn about.
For gardeners, gastronomes and plant lovers, take a tour of our marvellous organic gardens. Our kitchen gardens are augmented by our Bushman gardens of indigenous species.
The Spa
The setting is therapeutic enough, but if you’d like to partake in some spoiling, the Spa offers four rooms for couple or single treatments, with heated beds, fluffy towels, scented candles and relaxed music. The therapists are dedicated to restoring beauty and balance and spa journeys are personalised for each guest.
The Crystal Steam Room is a heated haven featuring a central block of pure rock quartz crystal that is renowned as a ‘master healer’ and is maintained at a temperature of 42-45C with moist aromatic heat. The warm steam eases stress, relieves muscle tension and increases metabolism while boosting the immune system. For guests who enjoy a daily workout, Bushmans Kloof has a mini-gym and yoga mats.
Inside Luxury Travel - Cape Town - Rock Art at Bushmans Kloof
Pack for a Purpose
Bushmans Kloof is a proud member of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travellers to make a lasting impact in the communities at their travel destination. By saving just a few kilos of space in their suitcase to bring much needed supplies for the hotel’s chosen project, they can make a big difference in the lives of local children and families.
Awards and Recognition
The 5-star Relais & Châteaux Bushmans Kloof lodge was voted Best Hotel in the World (Travel + Leisure USA 2009), Number 1 in the Top 25 Resorts and Safari Camps in Africa (Condé Nast Traveler USA Gold List 2014), and one of the Top 3 Hotels & Resorts in the World (Condé Nast Traveler USA Readers’ Choice Awards 2015).
Other Activities
- Ravine Trail - An adventurous 2 to 3 hour hike.
- Crystal Pools Trail - For the seasoned walkers, and we recommend you take an experienced guide with you. Of course you’ll want to take a swim in the exquisite waters, surrounded by towering rock formations and the spray of a cascading waterfall nearby.
- Enjoy the art of fly-fishing at Bushmans Kloof’s beautiful dams.
- The area offers many crystal clear nights perfect for stargazing. The inky sky is dusted with planets and shining constellations to be discovered.
- Cross the threshold of our award-winning wine cellar. Sample, and learn about the viticulture of Bouchard Finlayson. For a truly memorable gastronomic break, book a culinary weekend or an epicure’s special-interest package.
- Learn about the Bushman and the ancient rock paintings they left as their legacy. Learning about wildlife and flora has never been so enjoyable. Private guides and tours are available on request for an extra fee. Please enquire as to availability.
Bushmans Kloof is a member of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection.
Red Carnation Hotels is an award-winning collection of five- and four-star family-run boutique hotels in London, Dorset, Guernsey, Ireland, Geneva, Florida and South Africa. They all share the qualities that win Red Carnation so many prestigious awards - splendid luxury, generous hospitality, inventive and traditional cuisine, private art collections, passionate service and loyal staff committed to creating richly rewarding experiences for all their guests.
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