The Baviaanskloof is a huge wilderness area, a recognized World heritage site of more than 680 000 hectares squared in extent. When viewed from within the rolling topography of this Fold mountain system, created some 490 million years ago, this nearly inaccessible area seems to be endless.
It is here, in this remote wilderness, that we come to shed the shackles of our urban existence and to re-connect with Mother Nature and possibly, with some introspection, to see ourselves in a more intimate light.
But it is with this pilgrimage, to wild places, that brings with it certain responsibilities for as vast as the wilderness seems it is a sensitive environment one that needs to be nurtured and looked after if it is to remain healthy and provide us with the spiritual sustenance we need.
To do this we need to consider an old adage of the wilderness.
“Take only memories and photographs – leave only foot prints”
Rates:
6 – 8 persons on tour: R 3 600.00 per person sharing
Minimum 6 persons
Larger groups on request
Tour includes:
Pick up and drop off at central point in Port Elizabeth
3 day guided camping tour
2 night accommodation in tents, sharing 2 or 4- man tents
Transport to and from Baviaanskloof camping site
Breakfast, lunch, evening meal as per itinerary
Excursions/activities as per itinerary
Bottled water
Entrance/conservation fee
Day 1, Night 1
Port Elizabeth to Baviaanskloof
Pick up at your place of residence in Port Elizabeth and drive to the entrance of the Baviaanskloof. We stop in Patensie for a quick lunch (own account) at a road side farm stall.
After lunch, we continue to and enter into the Baviaanskloof, world heritage site.
We make our way to the awesome camping area on the banks of the Kouga river. Here, we set up our tents and prepare for the evening before we embark on a short hike or if hot, take to the water with canoes and tubes.
After our activity, we return to our camp for a relaxing evening where the fire is lit in preparation for an evening braai on a wood fire under the African sky.
Sleep in tents on the banks of the river.
Day 2, Night 2
Baviaanskloof activities
We wake up for an early morning cup of coffee and or tea and rusks before taking a quiet walk through the Valley in search of animals, birds and other creatures that inhabit this unique eco-system. Others like the Baboon, after which the Valley has been aptly named, and the smaller, more agile Vervet monkey, will find you and if careless, your food and anything else of interest that you’ve left lying around.
Sandstone overhangs in secret places hold forgotten Bushman rock art while waterfalls hold hidden secrets deep in shaded valleys.
We return to camp for a good breakfast after which you can enjoy the river or simply take it easy in the shade of the river trees or go swimming in the Amber river or explore the river banks. We keep a good watch for any nearby Buffalo as they can get a little grumpy.
Day 3
Baviaanskloof to Port Elizabeth
Once again, we wake to the traditional coffee and rusks while deciding, according to the weather and how we feel, on what to do.
A quick wash in the river always puts a new light on an early day as we prepare for a walk in the high fynbos or a more sedate swim in the river as the day slowly gathers momentum.
After a breakfast cooked on the open fire, we head for the hills or on to the river before returning to camp for a bite to eat before packing up and returning to the real world over the Mountains and out of the Valley of the Baboons, a place where memories are made forever.
Tour includes:
Not included:
Rates:
6 – 8 persons on tour: R 3 600.00 per person sharing
Minimum 6 persons
Larger groups on request
Wamkelekile eAfrica
Welcome to Africa
To bring along in summer: Sleeping bag and light mattress / 1 backpack per person: hiking shoes / torch / swimming costume / warm clothes for the evening / sunscreen / hat / sunglasses / insect repellent / camera (spare batteries) there is NO electricity in the camp / binoculars / slip slops for camp / items of personal hygiene (toothpaste, towel etc)
To bring along in winter: Inner lining for your sleeping bag / mattress / warm jacket and clothing / beanie / extra socks / good shoes / slip slops for camp
To leave behind (or switch off); Mobile phones, IPads or other electronic gear and music. Nature has its own music, symphony and concert all in one but with a million different players, allow time to listen to this harmony, the longer you give it the louder it will become, try and identify some of the sounds.
If you smoke, please bring along a container to take back with you your cigarette butts. Please do not litter in anyway.
