Whether you’re on Raaskrans (noisy cliff), the Nuwekloof Pass or Verlorenrivier (lost river), where the river disappears underground, the Eastern Cape’s Baviaanskloof is a place where beauty and diversity just about smack you in the face. But its greatest attraction is how much there is to see and do, so you'll never be bored.
If you’re keen on plants, this stunning wilderness should definitely be on your ‘bucket list’. The Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve is a Unesco World Heritage Site and is home to more than 1 200 plant species from aloes and spekboom to mountain fynbos with a sprinkling of proteas. Some of them, like the Willowmore Cedar, occur nowhere else on the planet.
Elsewhere the dense green forests remind you of the indigenous forests around Knysna on the Garden Route, while plumbago and pelargoniums grow in profusion along parts of the road, which was built in the 1880s by wily and ingenious road engineer, Thomas Bain.
To explore the area with someone who knows the plants well – and, more importantly, where to find them – contact one of the nature guides from the local community.
Elsewhere the dense green forests remind you of the indigenous forests around Knysna on the Garden Route, while plumbago and pelargoniums grow in profusion along parts of the road, which was built in the 1880s by wily and ingenious road engineer, Thomas Bain.
To explore the area with someone who knows the plants well – and, more importantly, where to find them – contact one of the nature guides from the local community.
But enough about plants. People who get excited by wildlife come here for the red hartbeest, mountain zebra, grey rhebuck, klipspringer and eland. You might even see three of the Big Five, rhino, buffalo and leopard. Cape clawless otter, bushpig, aardwolf and aardvark also live in the area but keep to themselves so aren’t often seen.
Birders will want to know that some 300 species have been recorded, including fish eagle, kingfishers, African finfoot, Knysna turaco, Klaas’s cuckoo, paradise flycatcher, Cape rockjumper, orange-breasted sunbird, blue crane and striped flufftail. Not a bad haul if you’re industrious and patient.
For the more adventurous, there’s heaps to choose from, whether you want to mountain-bike along the scenic R332, go rock and mountain climbing, drive a 4x4 trail, or hike into ravines, across rivers and up to waterfalls. It’s best to ask your hosts for what’s available in the area – see here for accommodation options in the Baviaanskloof.
Birders will want to know that some 300 species have been recorded, including fish eagle, kingfishers, African finfoot, Knysna turaco, Klaas’s cuckoo, paradise flycatcher, Cape rockjumper, orange-breasted sunbird, blue crane and striped flufftail. Not a bad haul if you’re industrious and patient.
For the more adventurous, there’s heaps to choose from, whether you want to mountain-bike along the scenic R332, go rock and mountain climbing, drive a 4x4 trail, or hike into ravines, across rivers and up to waterfalls. It’s best to ask your hosts for what’s available in the area – see here for accommodation options in the Baviaanskloof.
You could also ask at the information centre in Willowmore and at Die Tolbos in Patensie (first building on your right as you come from the Hankey direction). The interpretive centre near the eastern entrance into the nature reserve should also have some info, though it was closed due to lack of staff when we were there, so don’t count on it!
Whatever rocks your socks, just get yourself to the breathtaking Baviaanskloof and do it. And, doesn't matter if you love it or think I'm talking a whole lot of hot air about nothing, please share your comments below.
More about the Baviaanskloof
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
Whatever rocks your socks, just get yourself to the breathtaking Baviaanskloof and do it. And, doesn't matter if you love it or think I'm talking a whole lot of hot air about nothing, please share your comments below.
More about the Baviaanskloof
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
