Nature Reserves
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Baviaanskloof The breath-taking Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve is one of the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Covering roughly 200-square kilometres of pristine mountainous terrain, the ‘Valley of the Baboons’, is one of the largest wilderness conservation areas in South Africa. Just 120 kilometres west of Port Elizabeth, this awesome wilderness playground has much to offer nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.
The eastern side of the reserve starts at the Komdomo Campsite. From here the road winds 250 kilometres through the incredibly scenic and craggy Groot River Port towards Willowmore in the west.
A paradise for adventurous and active types, the vast mountainous landscape offers a unique wilderness experience with a plethora of things to do. These include rock climbing, mountaineering, camping, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, fishing, scenic drives, bird watching and 4x4 trails.
The diverse habitats support over 1,000 different plant species including the striking Erica and Protea families as well as ancient cycads. The reserve is also home to more than 50 mammal species, 300 bird species and numerous reptiles and amphibians.
A state-of-the-art World Heritage Site Interpretive Centre overlooking the Cambria Valley showcases the diversity and natural and cultural history of the Baviaanskloof region.
Things to do near
Baviaans Region
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Four By Four Trails
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Baviaanskloof (14.9 km from Baviaans Region) Bavaanskloof trail is approximately 40 km but one has to travel from Willowmore through Baviaanskloof to Patensie which is about 190 km. Sufficient time is required to complete this scenic route and it is suggested that one leaves early in the morning to make it out of Baviaanskloof before it closes. The Bavaiaanskloof route itself takes about 6 hours to complete.
Baviaanskloof itself is a 4x4 route with river crossings, steep ascents and descents and amazing opportunities to view the fauna and flora. A 4x4, low range and high clearance vehicle is required and the route has a difficulty grading of 1 to 4. This is a self-drive expedition.
Please enquire on-site about entry fees.
Nature Reserves
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Baviaanskloof (36.1 km from Baviaans Region) The breath-taking Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve is one of the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Covering roughly 200-square kilometres of pristine mountainous terrain, the ‘Valley of the Baboons’, is one of the largest wilderness conservation areas in South Africa. Just 120 kilometres west of Port Elizabeth, this awesome wilderness playground has much to offer nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.
The eastern side of the reserve starts at the Komdomo Campsite. From here the road winds 250 kilometres through the incredibly scenic and craggy Groot River Port towards Willowmore in the west.
A paradise for adventurous and active types, the vast mountainous landscape offers a unique wilderness experience with a plethora of things to do. These include rock climbing, mountaineering, camping, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, fishing, scenic drives, bird watching and 4x4 trails.
The diverse habitats support over 1,000 different plant species including the striking Erica and Protea families as well as ancient cycads. The reserve is also home to more than 50 mammal species, 300 bird species and numerous reptiles and amphibians.
A state-of-the-art World Heritage Site Interpretive Centre overlooking the Cambria Valley showcases the diversity and natural and cultural history of the Baviaanskloof region.
Farms
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Tsitsikamma (44.9 km from Baviaans Region) Growers and Exporter of cultivated proteas & Fynbos
Four By Four Trails
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Patensie (45.3 km from Baviaans Region) Gonjah 4x4 Trail offers two trails of 12 km and 20 km, and each takes 4 hours to complete. It is located 12 km from Patensie and is next to the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve. The 12 km trail leads to the top of a mountain with stunning views. The 20 km trail is more technical and is mostly within the game camp. The trail offers great views of the Gamtoos Valley with lots of twists as it descends into a kloof. The trails have a grading of 2 to 3 and a low range vehicle is required for these self-drive tracks. Please call for further information.
Four By Four Trails
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Humansdorp (60.2 km from Baviaans Region) Brakkeduine 4x4 Sand Trail is located 36 km from Humansdorp and starts on a dairy farm. Once you have crossed the stream, it is all about the sand. This trail is not as easy as it sounds so some experience is required. The trail is 14 km long and can take from 3 hours to a day to complete. Low range vehicles should not attempt this sand trail. are needed. This self-drive route has a grading of 3.
Hiking Trail
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Stormsriver (60.4 km from Baviaans Region) This two-day circular route is easy to moderate and is a total of 24 km long. The trail starts and ends at Witelsbos State Forest. Permits must be obtained and overnight resting places are situated next to the water. Please enquire.
Four By Four Trails
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Steytlerville (61.1 km from Baviaans Region) Elandsheuwel Guest Farm has two 4x4 trails; mountain bikes and quad bikes are welcome. The trails are 3 km and 8 km respectively and take about 1 to 3 hours to complete. The difficulty grading is between 1 and 2. The farm is located just outside of Steytlerville and en route to Wilowmore; the GPS indicates where the turn-off from the R329 is situated.
Hiking Trail
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Stormsriver (63.3 km from Baviaans Region) Starting a little distance from the restaurant, the Loerie Trail is one of the short hikes from Storms River Mouth Rest Camp that don’t require permits or fees.
The two-kilometre circular route starts on the same path as the Blue Duiker Trail and takes a short cut through beautiful scrub forest featuring small trees of Cape Beech, Kershout and Bastard saffronwood.
The meandering path then passes through pristine coastal fynbos. Don’t miss seeing the views from the lookout platform. This is also a brilliant vantage point to spot whales in winter.
Grab a copy of 'Secrets of the Forest' and 'Deeper into the Forest' at the Enviro Centre. Maps and info are available at the camp's Info Centre. The start and end is well signposted just off the tarred road.
Golf Courses
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Hankey (63.8 km from Baviaans Region) Hankey Country Club's course is rated as one of the best 9-hole courses in the country. This charming old club in the Gamtoos Valley plays host each year to the Hadeda tournament.
Nature Reserves
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Stormsriver (64 km from Baviaans Region) Tsitsikamma National Park offers an underwater wonderland waiting to be explored by scuba or snorkel!
The Storms River Mouth and Tsitsikamma National Park are a marine protected area filled with an abundance of colourful and inquisitive marine life making this dive site the Garden Route’s best kept secret.
Untouched Adventures offer full scuba gear hire, cylinder fills and guided dives. A variety of scuba courses are available ranging from 4-hour introductions to 4-day qualifying courses.
Nature Reserves
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Stormsriver (64 km from Baviaans Region) Spectacular coastlines, lush forests, deep river gorges, majestic mountains and open savannah – the Garden Route National Park has it all.
This section of the South Coast of South Africa owns one of the loveliest stretches of coastline on the planet. Home to a variety of ecosystems, the park combines the world renowned Wilderness and Tsitsikamma sections, the Knysna Lake section, various mountains, and indigenous forest and Fynbos regions.
Resembling a mosaic of landscapes and seascapes from ocean to mountain areas, the Garden Route National Park is celebrated for its diverse ecological and cultural heritage. Not only that, the Park is a playground for adventurers and nature lovers.
Managed by SAN Parks, it offers numerous accommodation choices, events, activities, places of interest and scenic attractions.
Hiking Trail
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Stormsriver (64.1 km from Baviaans Region) South Africa’s most frequently hiked trail is so popular that bookings need to be made at least a year in advance – but don’t let that stop you.
The dramatic setting of luxuriant Tsitsikamma forest meeting the rugged Indian Ocean coastline in the Garden Route National Park contributes greatly to this unforgettable five-day hiking experience. Along with the incredibly diverse natural beauty, the area is paradise to numerous birds, wildlife, plants and trees.
Starting at Storms River Mouth, the first day is an easy warm up of 4.8 km, passing an interesting cave and gorgeous waterfall. The following three days are fairly tough and a reasonable level of fitness is required. The last leg of the 42 km route is a relatively easy 6 km amble to Nature's Valley.
Footpaths mostly follow the shoreline along cliff tops with stunning ocean views – dolphins and whales are often spotted. The trail returns to sea level for river crossings. Be aware of the dates and times of high and low tides as it is highly inadvisable to attempt river crossings during high tide.
The best time to hike the trail is between September and March. Overnight stops are situated at stunning locations. Rustic wooden huts offer bunks and mattresses, fireplaces, firewood, drinking water and toilets.
Popular Attractions
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Stormsriver (64.1 km from Baviaans Region) The two-hour Kayak and Lilo Adventure takes guests up the Storms River and under the famous Storms River Suspension Bridge.
The trip offers magnificent views of the gorge, river and ocean in the marine protected area.
This fun adventure is suitable for the whole family, and is a "must do" for a holiday to the Storms River or Tsitsikamma area.
Hiking Trail
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Stormsriver (65.5 km from Baviaans Region) Known as ‘Day One’ of the massively popular Otter Trail, the Waterfall Trail is definitely a worthwhile excursion at Storms River Mouth.
The linear route runs along the coastline for three kilometres until reaching the graceful waterfall, which marks the halfway point. The starting time for doing this walk is all important – in latest time to start in summer is 14:30 and in winter it is 13:30.
The hike is considered tricky because of the jagged and slippery terrain and it is advisable to tackle it at low tide. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear for a cooling plunge under the waterfall. Look out for the red flash of Knysna turacos in flight.
Grab a map of the various walks and a list of fauna and flora species at the Storms River Mouth Info Centre.
Nature Reserves
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Addo (67.2 km from Baviaans Region) Discover the magic of the Karoo with a unique wilderness experience at the exclusive 5-Star Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve.
Bordering the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape, the reserve offers malaria-free wildlife viewing of a wide variety of game.
Professional rangers will introduce you to lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, antelope, abundant birdlife and rare flora on interesting game drives.
An awesome thing to do is go on a walking safari to shadow cheetah as they prowl for their prey.