About Bothmaskloof Pass
Bothmaskloof Pass connects the towns of Malmesbury and Riebeeck Kasteel on the R46.
Did you know? Sometimes also known as Bothmanskloof.
Lying about 40 minutes drive from Cape Town, the pass takes one over and down the Kasteelberg, descending into the unusually fertile Riebeeck valley, home of olive groves, fields of wheat and grape vines that give rise to particularly good wines.
This is the home of Allesverloren and Kloovenburg, to name but two of the wine estates in the area.
At the top of the pass you will notice a particularly deep, almost vertical, cut through the neck, some 18 metres deep, designed to make the steep gradient at this point safe for those using the pass.
Just past the summit is a memorial to Pieter Cruythoff who, in setting off for the mythical land of Monomotapa with Pieter Meerhoff, the surgeon (they were to get as far as Namibia), happened upon Kasteelberg and the Riebeeck Valley and named their beauty in honour of Jan van Riebeeck, administrator of the Dutch East India Company and founder of the Cape Town.
At the base of the stone tablet memorial was a bronze plate, stolen for use elsewhere, but, as if to make up for the offense, the wine farm bordering the pass has named their wines after Cruythoff (even if most of the wines are destined for the Netherlands as a result).
Cruythoff and Meerhoff saw quaggas, rhinos and black wildebeest in the valley.
The sister towns of Riebeeck-Kasteel and Riebeeck West lie close to one another. Both have attracted artists and a couple of celebrities. They are close enough to Cape Town to serve as weekend getaways – hence the restaurants, antique shops, art galleries and Swartland accommodation options.
Need to Know
WhereBothmaskloof Pass, R46 between Malmesbury and Riebeek Kasteel, Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa
WhenBest during daylight hours.
OvernightStay in Swartland Accommodation, Western Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested in
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Swartland
Farmhouse @ Fynbos Estate
The Farmhouse is a hundred-year-old Victorian home with a wraparound veranda and original Oregon features. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens,...
AA Badenhorst Family Wines
AA Badenhorst Family Wines offers accommodation in an authentic farm hideaway, set against the slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain. Situated just 6...
Abbotts Hill
Abbotts Hill is a farmhouse on top of a hill, surrounded by vines and views of the rolling valleys in Swartland. Love yourself. Spoil yourself wi...
Sonkop @ Fynbos Estate
Sonkop at Fynbos Estate is ideal for nature lovers craving some solitude. It is situated a kilometer from the farmstead inside of the nature rese...
Caracal @ Fynbos Estate
Caracal offers accommodation on an estate with direct access to the nature reserve. The estate offers wonderful food and wine, comfortable accomm...
Honey Badger at Fynbos Estate
Honey Badger Cottage is a large farm cottage 200 metres from the Farmhouse. The estate offers wonderful food and wine and a relaxed and easy atmo...
The Silo @ Kalmoesfontein
Silo @ Kalmoesfontein is perfect for a romantic weekend getaway. It has one open plan master bedroom furnished with a king size bed, luxury cotto...
Melkkamer @ Kalmoesfontein
The Melkkamer offers accommodation on an authentic farm hideaway just 60 minutes drive from Cape Town; this is the perfect place to get away from...
Black Eagle @ Fynbos Estate
Black Eagle is a modern barn-style holiday house sleeping eight guests. There are four en-suite bedrooms fitted with a double bed or twin beds if...
Things to do in the area
Game Drive at Bartholomeus Klip
Morning game drives are available in the 10 000 acre Bartholomeus Klip Hermon Private Nature Reserve. There are many animals here, easily seen i...
Dragonridge Winery
Fynbos Estate produces about 200 tons of grapes each year, half of which are sent to Swartland Winery. The rest is used to craft small quantities...
Duckitt Nurseries
Duckitt Nurseries was established in 1979, and is situated approximately 3km south of Darling on the west coast of South Africa. Duckitt Nurserie...
Cloof Wine Estate
The vineyards were planted in 1966 when Darling was better known as a wheat farming area. Cloof harvested fir the first time in 1998 and since th...
Swartland Wines
The Swartland Co-operative was founded by 15 members and the Swartland Winery was established. When Jan van Riebeeck first saw the land and all i...
Abbotts Hill Wines
Abbotts Hill Wines are produced on Hillcrest Farm. It all began from the owner’s initial passion for red wine. He had the desire to produce win...
Annex Kloof Wines
The tale of Annex Kloof Wines began when Mattys Basson first planted vineyards in 1907 and began producing wine in 1910. Hugo Bassoon followed i...
Lammershoek Wine Cellar
Lammershoek means ‘lamb’s corner’ and is said to owe its name to the sheep and their lambs who sought safety and shelter in the forests around th...
Nassua Winery
Nassau Winery is one of the wineries situated south of Malmesbury, the main business centre of the Swartland. It lies on the Lambrecht’s family ...
Accommodation convenient to Bothmaskloof Pass
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation / Swartland Accommodation