Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape Attractions

Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape

Baviaanskloof Region, 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.

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.

Baviaanskloof

Destinations / Town & Suburbs of Baviaanskloof

Hankey

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Baviaanskloof

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 ... hankey information

Loerie

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Baviaanskloof

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 ... loerie information

Patensie

Where to Stay: Accommodation in 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 ... patensie information

Steytlerville

Where to Stay: Accommodation in 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 information

Studtis

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Studtis

Studtis lies in the heart of the Baviaanskloof - that section of wild, scenic beauty that is a complete exit from the hum drum, fast-paced lifestyle so many of us undergo, and an entry into a wilderness experience of rugged mountains ... Studtis information

Vondeling

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Baviaanskloof

The little village of Vondeling, a euphemism for a smattering of homesteads grouped together alongside the now disused Vondeling railway siding, lies roughly 47 kilometres north west of Willowmore in a district known as... vondeling information

Willowmore

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Baviaanskloof

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 ... willowmore information

Baviaanskloof

Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Baviaanskloof

Baviaanskloof Wilderness Reserve

The Valley of the Baboons in the Eastern Cape (in the sandy soil of this valley one can easily spot their footprints), also known as the Baviaanskloof Wilderness, is a rugged, uncultivated, and beautiful wilderness area that includes the Baviaanskloof and Kouga Mountains, and the valley in-between, less ... more information

Gamtoos Valley

Lying adjacent to the Garden Route, just over an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth, the Gamtoos Valley is home to the three little villages of Hankey, Loerie and Patensie, and is a vibrant mix of citrus, potato and tobacco farming that forms a collage of cultivated fields and ... more information

Groendal Wilderness Area

The 30 000 hectare Groendal Wilderness Area protects the water catchment area of the Swartkops River (KwaZungha River), with the Groendal Dam in its centre. Lying within the Groot Winterhoek Mountain range, this wilderness area has rugged terrain incised by numerous streams and ravines ... more information

Kouga Wilderness

The Kouga Wilderness lies in the heart of the Kouga Mountains on the edge of the Baviaanskloof, north of Joubertina and part way between Port Elizabeth and George. As its name suggests it is wild country, perfect for those who love a real outdoor experience, complete with tangled ravine forests, sheer rock faces and ... more information

Baviaanskloof

Holiday Accommodation in Baviaanskloof

For accommodation in Baviaanskloof see:
• Steylerville Accommodation • Studtis Accommodation • Patensie Accommodation

Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Baviaanskloof Accommodation.

Did you know?
Whether you're in the mood for an informal seaside escape, an encounter with the "Big Five" on safari, or a choice of scintillating city diversions, you're sure to find what you're looking for in the Eastern Cape.

destinations / attractions in the eastern cape

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