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BAVIAANSKLOOF - EASTERN CAPE
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Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape: There
is a gorge that lies in the valley, stretching for over 100 kilometres, between the
Baviaanskloof Mountains to the north and the Kouga mountains to the south. Recently
awarded World Heritage Site status this 192 000 hectare u-shaped reserve lies about 120
kilometres west of Port Elizabeth and is named after the baboons that roam the area - a
mix of the Dutch word ‘baviaan’ for baboon and the Afrikaans word
‘kloof’ for ravine.
Baviaanskloof, the area, includes the Karoo towns of Willowmore and Steytlerville as well
as a number of small stock farms, and the little town of Patensie lies at the start of the
gorge - the last stop, so to speak, before entering the wilderness of the Baviaanskloof. A
single dirt road, which follows the dry river beds where it can, taking in some of the
most breathtaking passes through mountains along the way, was built between 1880 and 1890
by Thomas Bain. It wends its way through the valley with no other access, in or out. With
42 river crossings, assisted only by causeways, all of which are liable to flood during
heavy rainfall, your journey is bound to be both exciting and beautiful - an area awaiting
discovery. |
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| This land of raw wilderness with its rocky
passes and rugged gorges can only be travelled from east to west or from west to east.
Baviaanskloof offers hours of beautiful scenery - veld, indigenous forests, crystal
mountain streams, sheer cliffs and waterfalls, and is home to an amazing diversity of
plants and species - from yellowwoods to karoo bossies and fynbos. The best time to visit
is in spring, before the heavy summer rains or in autumn before it gets too cold, and one
should try to avoid long weekends or holiday seasons if one can. |
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BAVIAANSKLOOF DESTINATIONS
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  Hankey: Hankey is one
of three towns that make up the Gamtoos Valley - an exceptionally beautiful part of the
world due mainly to its ability to remain largely undetected and thus unspoilt - that
stretches up to Komdomo and the start of the Baviaanskloof wilderness, now a World
Heritage Site. Of the towns in ...more » Hankey |
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 Loerie: The little town
of Loerie - probably named such due to the prominence in the Baviaanskloof and surrounding
area of the rather elusive Knysna
Loerie that reveals itself only when absolutely necessary - is one of three towns in
the Gamtoos River Valley that serves as something of a gateway to ...more » Loerie |
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 Patensie: The little
town of Patensie lies virtually at the mouth of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area, hidden
away in the south western corner of the Eastern Cape only an hour’s drive from Port
Elizabeth - it’s the last stop before entering the wilderness. A largely citrus
producing community, the name Patensie is ...more » Patensie Info |
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 Steytlerville: The
little town of Steytlerville, with its wide streets - originally to allow ox wagons to
turn around - is exceptionally beautiful and worth a visit for this reason as well as the
richness of local game and bird life. Steytlerville lies in the Baviaans Wilderness area
in the shadow of the great ... more » Steytlerville |
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 Willowmore: The quaint
little Karoo town of Willowmore is regarded by some as little more than a town en route to
somewhere, for the most part because it’s on the N9 - the main route between the
interior and the coast and ideal for those either on their way to or from Outdshoorn
or George.
Despite the nature of ...more » Willowmore |
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BAVIAANSKLOOF ATTRACTIONS
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 Gamtoos Valley: Lying
adjacent to the Garden
Route, just over an hour’s drive from Port
Elizabeth, the Gamtoos Valley is regarded as the gateway to the Baviaanskloof
Wilderness area, the valley is a treasure trove of beautiful scenery and interesting
landmarks that stretch all the way up to Komdomo ...more » Gamtoos Valley Info |
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