The Bottom Line
Bushmans Kloof is a wilderness reserve in the Cederberg region of South Africa with a luxury lodge and spa. But the main attraction for anyone interested in history or art is its more than 130 sites where Bushman or San rock art can be viewed, accompanied either by one of the field guides or, even better, by the resident archaeologist.
Some of the rock art sites are close to the road and easily accessible, others require a rock scramble to access. Walking or driving through the veld you wouldn't imagine that there's so much beautiful rock art to be seen if you know where to look.
Pros
- Bushmans Kloof have more than 130 rock art sites, some very easily accessible.
- There's a resident archaeologist whose special interest is San rock art.
- The reserve includes several species of reintroduced animals, particularly antelope.
- In spring, if the weather conditions have been right, wild flowers carpet the veld.
- Special activity weekends, and special offers, occur year round.
Cons
- The rock art at Bushmans Kloof can be viewed only if you're staying there, not as a day visitor.
- It's not cheap but it provides the chance to view rock art with an expert, and enjoy some luxury.
- You'll only be able to see a handful of sites unless you have an extended stay.
Description
- More than 130 rock art sites have been found, ranging from sites with multiple paintings to small sites.
- Resident archaeologist Siyakha Mguni is documenting all the rock art sites at Bushmans Kloof.
- Bushmans Kloof is about three hours' north of Cape Town; the last section of road is dirt but passable in an normal car.
- The lodge is part of the Relais & Chateaux group and offers wilderness done in a luxury safari-type style (see photos).
- In the Homestead there's a library stocked with South African reference books, as well as internet access. No cell reception.
- A small heritage center showcases a collection of Bushman artifacts.
- Check the Bushmans Kloof website for special offers and special events, such as archaeological, botanical or family weekends.
Guide Review - Rock Art at Bushmans Kloof in the Cederberg, South Africa
The experience of standing in a rocky overhang looking at rock art painted by persons unknown centuries ago was a remarkable experience. I had a tremendous sense of history, a feeling of the people who once lived here and were motivated to paint, the spirituality. Each rock art site was different in its location and art, but each added to this feeling. By the end of my stay at Bushmans Kloof I was feeling overwhelmed by what I'd seen, and what I'd learned in our conversations with Siyakha Mguni, the resident archaeologist.
Siyakha guided us to five sites, including one he'd found featuring rain-making imagery in a fine-line painting style similar to that in the Drakensberg. (I'm not sure what significance might be read into the fact that it rained the afternoon after our visit...) At the Fallen Rock site he talked us through not only the rock art, but also the excavations that had been done and showed us remnants of pottery and evidence of stone tool workings.
Bushmans Kloof is an upmarket establishment and not cheap by most people's standards but for the chance to see magnificent rock art in the company of an expert and relax afterwards in beautiful surrounds (see photos) I'd say it's worthwhile. Expect to pay about the same per person as you would for a night in a three-star hotel in New York or London, but you'll be getting a lot more for your money as it includes all meals, rock art excursions and sunset nature drives; a range of other outdoor activities are available.
- As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary stay (accommodation, meals, field guide) for the purpose of seeing the rock art at Bushmans Kloof and reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy
