By Roxanne Reid
Sprawled in a canvas chair at our private lapa, glass of wine in hand, I watched a spotted eagle owl perch on a rocky koppie where it was silhouetted against the darkening sky. We were at Fossil Ridge eco-lodge in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve near Oudtshoorn and the heat of the day was fading at last.
Sprawled in a canvas chair at our private lapa, glass of wine in hand, I watched a spotted eagle owl perch on a rocky koppie where it was silhouetted against the darkening sky. We were at Fossil Ridge eco-lodge in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve near Oudtshoorn and the heat of the day was fading at last.
Fossil Ridge has a gorgeous setting at the foot of a rocky koppie, with paths laid out among the sweet thorn trees. The tents are big and there are extra chairs for relaxing inside or on the deck. There’s even a splash pool with lounging deck and umbrella, especially attractive in the soft light of late afternoon. The kitchen is well equipped and there’s a living area with a couch and picnic table.
Whoever chose the site for the lapa was a genius
Like its sisters Sweet-thorn and Tierkloof, Fossil Ridge encourages an eco-friendly and sustainable way of life. So there’s solar lighting, eco-loos and separate bins for recycling glass/tin, plastic, paper and food scraps. The canvas tents and reed-and-canvas kitchen also tread lightly, and paths are laid out among the sweet-thorn trees for a feeling that’s as close to natural as any lodge can hope to be.
Ample space and comfort in the safari tents
The splash pool is bliss on a hot afternoon
Without breaking the bank, there were luxurious touches. The tent was fully carpeted, our bed was king-size, and there were extra chairs for relaxing inside or on the deck. Thick towels, bottles of shampoo, shower gel and body lotion, incense sticks in the bathroom – they were little elements but the effect was big. I loved the place.
Not much more you could wish for in the kitchen
Best of all was the lapa, with gravel to keep down the dust, a rock circle for a fire, a half-barrel braai, four canvas chairs, a picnic table with umbrella and a superb view of the koppie where a spotted eagle owl perched to hoot at us on our last evening.
The indoor living area between the lapa and kitchen
In the mornings, we woke to the chatter of birds in the thicket next to the tent. In the evenings, we braaied in the lapa, wandered back to our tent along the windy path softly lit by solar lights masquerading as paraffin lamps, and fell asleep to the hooting of owls. It was perfect.
Things to do at Gamkaberg
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Things to do at Gamkaberg
- Drive the Zebra 4x4 trail (grade 3) up the Gamkaberg for 16km to Oukraal campsite, or the new 32km Kannaland 4x4 trail (grade 3). The Kannaland route is open only to overnight guests at Gamkaberg.
- Do one or more of the four easy short walking trails, from 20 min to 2.5 hours. Get a Bossie ID guide from reception to enrich your walk by identifying 20 common plants along the trails.
- Hike the Tierkloof trail, with options from a 14.4km day trail to an overnight trail (13.2km on day 1 and 11.6km on day 2).
- If you’re feeling meditative, walk the labyrinth marked out with rocks.
- Go birding and look out for Karoo endemics.
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