| Having decided it was time I ventured out of the city to | | | | Nature drive at 16h30 - (17h00 in summer) - a drive |
| explore again, I pulled out my detailed map of the | | | | around the reserve with your professional field guide to |
| Western Cape and picked a destination. | | | | spot some game such as cape mountain zebra, red |
| Bushmanskloof Wilderness Retreat situated in the | | | | hartebeest, springbok, eland, bontebok, ostrich, black |
| northern Cederberg wilderness area was my choice. | | | | wildebeest, a prolific bird life and a diverse fynbos |
| Departing Cape Town at approximately 10h00 one | | | | vegetation. Snacks and drinks are served on the drive. |
| morning, I headed north up the N7, the main route up | | | | Dinner at 20h00 - with pre dinner drinks in the bar. |
| the west coast, towards the Cederberg mountain | | | | Keeping to the high standards that Relais & |
| area. Turning off at Clanwilliam and taking advantage | | | | Chateau set for all their properties, Bushmanskloof |
| of the last cell phone reception area, I made a quick | | | | offers superb gourmet dining. Not only is the food top |
| phone call to the lodge advising them of my arrival | | | | class but they also have 4 different dining venues and |
| time. I then headed east on some rough gravel roads | | | | each one creates an ambiance of its own. |
| into the Cederberg wilderness. | | | | Day 2 |
| The Cederberg is renowned for its incredible | | | | Visit to one of more 130 Bushman painting sites in the |
| sandstone rock formations, numerous bushman | | | | reserve 08h30 - tea/coffee and a light breakfast are |
| paintings and the increasingly rare Clanwilliam Cedar | | | | offered on the drive. Room service is available for |
| tree, from which it gets its name. Encompassing some | | | | early morning tea or coffee if you are like me and |
| 71 000 ha of rugged, mountainous terrain, the | | | | cannot think straight until you have had your first cup |
| Cederberg was proclaimed a wilderness area in 1973, | | | | of coffee. |
| and as such enjoys the highest possible conservation | | | | Brunch at 10h30 |
| status. Take a look at this link to read more about this | | | | High tea is served at 15h30 |
| beautiful area. | | | | Afternoon nature drive at 16h30 or 17h00 in summer |
| Bushmanskloof Reserve covers an area of 7500 ha | | | | Dinner at 20h00 |
| and has been proclaimed a South African Natural | | | | As you can see, there is quite a bit of time in between |
| Heritage Site. It also forms part of the Cape Floral | | | | the nature drives and visits to the bushman painting |
| Region, a designated world heritage site. | | | | sites. You can either sit back and relax at the edge of |
| After a beautiful 4 km drive from the main gate | | | | one of the many inviting pools or enjoy something a |
| through the reserve I arrived at the lodge 3 ½ | | | | little more adventurous such as mountain biking, |
| hours after departing Cape Town and was cheerfully | | | | canoing on the large dam and up the river, fly fishing or |
| welcomed by the staff. I was handed a hot scented | | | | ordinary fishing, hiking, swimming. The lodge also offers |
| hand towel to wipe my hands and a cool refreshing | | | | archery and crocket on the expansive lawn in front of |
| iced tea, the main ingredient being the locally made | | | | the lodge. |
| Rooibos (Red bush) tea. Rooibos is an indigenous bush | | | | In the Heritage Centre, there is a collection of San |
| from which the caffeine free and tannin free tea is | | | | artefacts, and this is where the rangers hold |
| made. It is very rich in anti-oxidants and is farmed and | | | | specialized talks on interesting aspects of the reserve |
| produced in Clanwilliam. A quick orientation tour of the | | | | and the Cederberg Wilderness Area. |
| lodge helped me find my bearings, while my luggage | | | | Siyakha Mguni, a dedicated and knowledgeable Rock |
| was whisked off to my luxury room and my trusty | | | | Art specialist, is the resident Archaeologist and Curator. |
| little car taken to the covered car park. | | | | His primary function is to record, document and |
| Well, I wasted no time and after a quick bite to eat off | | | | research all the rock art sites in the reserve. If you |
| the room service menu served to me on my little | | | | would like more in depth information on the paintings in |
| private veranda, I disappeared on one of the circular | | | | the reserve he will be happy to answer any questions. |
| hiking trails into the surrounding craggy hills, the silence | | | | The Spa at Bushmanskloof offers ultimate pampering |
| and peace calming my soul. I returned just in time to | | | | with a selection of touch therapies, spa body |
| delve into the delicious goodies at high tea. | | | | treatments and skincare treatments for both men and |
| Bushmanskloof is spectacular! I would recommend a | | | | women. |
| stay of at least 3 nights to give yourself time to really | | | | As all good things at some stage always come to an |
| kick back and relax or to enjoy the many activities that | | | | end, I reluctantly packed my bags and moved out of |
| are available to you. There is a general itinerary | | | | my comfortable room, my beautifully cleaned car |
| offered to clients that goes something like this: | | | | waiting for me at reception. I thoroughly enjoyed my |
| Day 1: | | | | stay at Bushmanskloof and hope to return in the near |
| Check in by 14h00 | | | | future. The friendly and super efficient staff made it a |
| High tea at 15h30 - the table bears a large display of | | | | very pleasant stay. |
| delicious mouth watering cakes and pastries | | | | |