4x4ing in the Baviaanskloof
Once a farming hub, the Baviaanskloof is now slowly being transformed into a space where wildlife and man live in harmony.
The scenic surrounds and it’s natural inaccessibility make the Baviaanskloof one of the top places to tour in your 4×4. The kloof can be driven in either direction and in most cases the road is wide enough for vehicles to pass each other quite easily.
There is also a mountain-bike race that goes through the kloof.
This picturesque valley runs between Willowmore and Patensie and for a distance of just under 200km. You’ll definitely need a 4×4 and if you do it without stopping, you could probably complete the journey in about five to six hours.
The Kloof conditions vary greatly and during the rainy season, water crossings are a little deeper than usual and the road is damaged by the water. Fortunately, the farmers in the kloof work hard at maintaining the road.
“It is the only area in the world where you get to see the Willowmore cedar.”
Driving the Kloof in one day is criminal, since you’ll miss out on so much. There are awesome hikes to enjoy, streams to splash in and homely accommodation options for you choose from.
If you start the drive in Willowmore, after 44km you’ll reach Nuwekloof. This is where you say goodbye to the Little Karoo and hello to the the kloof. The Baviaanskloof mountains lie in the north and the Kouga mountains in the south. Once you pass Nuwekloof, you enter the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, which has World Heritage status.
Getting there: To get to the western entrance of the nature reserve, you need to approach via the N9, so if coming via the southern Cape, go via Uniondale. If coming from the north, go through Graaf-Reinet. To enter the kloof from the east, approach it from Port Elizabeth and head for Hankey and then Patensie.
In the 1930’s the population swelled to about 3,000 and farming in the kloof peaked. Today the number of people has since dropped to less than half. The farmer at Rietrivier has built some rather interesting accommodation in caves and has even set up a electricity supply.
Rooihoek has to be one of the best campsites – white beach sand and crystal-clear water in which to cool off in. There is an information centre in the kloof, which is well worth a stop if you haven’t booked a place to stay yet. A stop off at Bo-Kloof to do a hike into one of the many gorges is also highly recommended.
Several signs along the road warn you that there are buffalo about. Amazingly, there are over 55 animal and 300 bird species in the kloof.
The Baviaanskloof is a spectacular drive that should not be rushed and the toughest parts of the drive are found in the eastern section.
| More info on the Baviaanskloof Region | More info on the Eastern Cape area |
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