Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve

“Relaxed, scenic stay with great hiking and thoughtful vegetarian dining”

We stayed here for 3 nights and had a really great, relaxing stay. It’s the kind of place where you naturally slow down and just enjoy where you are. The team overall was very friendly and welcoming throughout. Nothing felt over the top or scripted. Food: We’re vegetarian, and this was handled re… more

We stayed here for 3 nights and had a really great, relaxing stay. It’s the kind of place where you naturally slow down and just enjoy where you are. The team overall was very friendly and welcoming throughout. Nothing felt over the top or scripted. Food: We’re vegetarian, and this was handled really well. We were given a separate vegetarian menu for each meal, which made things easy and each meal was excellent. Some favourites for us were the Moorish cauliflower, tempura broccolini, the rooibos affogato, and the rooibos cappuccino (no caffene!), which was surprisingly good. The entire staff was great, and Nanthi was also always upbeat and chatty, which made meals even more enjoyable. On our last night, we did the Walled Garden private outdoor dinner. It was very peaceful and nicely set up, a great way to end the stay. Carina was friendly and attentive throughout the evening. This is one of our favourite outdoor dining experiences. Guiding & Experiences: We ended up doing 3 self-guided hikes, which we really liked. It was nice being able to explore the property at our own pace without being on a schedule. The Ravine Trail was the top highlight. It’s a bit more challenging with some scrambling and steeper sections, but definitely worth it for the views and how quiet it feels. The Mountain Trail is shorter but also a nice option. There’s also quite a bit of wildlife if you keep an eye out. We saw a fox, baboons, lizards, rock dassies, hares, and hartebeest on our hikes. The rock art tour is worth doing to better understand the history of the area. Londi was a great guide, both on this and the evening drive. Seeing a springbok sprinting and jumping was a fun moment. Wellness: The spa is a great addition, especially after hiking. We tried the Signature Massage, and the Sole of the Earth foot ceremony, which was very relaxing and a nice way to recover after being on your feet. Room: We stayed in room RR2, which was comfortable and quiet with a nice view over a large pond. One morning there was a herd of hartebeest nearby, which was a great surprise. The heated bathroom floor was also a big plus on colder nights. Getting There: We opted for a transfer, and Sabelo drove us to and from the airport and shared a lot of interesting background on Cape Town and South Africa along the way, which we appreciated. Overall: What stood out most was how easy it was to just relax here. There’s enough to do, but no pressure to do everything. Whether hiking, doing a tour, or just spending time around the lodge, it all feels very low key. Overall, a really enjoyable and relaxing experience. We’d definitely recommend it.

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“An emotional and amazing landscape - Bushmans Kloof is a wonderful place to stay”

We arrived after a long but fascinating journey from Cape Town, driving through countryside we had never visited before. Once we reached the entrance gate, it was another 8km through an extraordinary landscape to the lodge, where we were warmly welcomed by several members of the team. Lara was to b… more

We arrived after a long but fascinating journey from Cape Town, driving through countryside we had never visited before. Once we reached the entrance gate, it was another 8km through an extraordinary landscape to the lodge, where we were warmly welcomed by several members of the team. Lara was to be our guide throughout our stay. We were shown to our Deluxe Room—and it was certainly deluxe. There was a large private terrace with a table and chairs, a generous sofa and coffee table, and sunbeds set within our own private garden, where magnificent Red Hartebeest would occasionally wander past. A few steps further on was a pool shared with just a couple of other rooms, although we never saw anyone else there. The room itself was beautifully appointed, featuring a fireplace with a basket of logs (though we didn’t need a fire), a stunning desk, comfortable sofas, a well-stocked bar, a large, very comfortable bed, and two bathrooms. We were truly spoiled. Lara was an incredibly passionate and experienced guide. She took us—and our two friends who joined us from Cape Town for a couple of nights—out into a magical landscape unlike anything we had ever experienced. There were vast ancient mountains, visible evidence of the Ice Age from millions of years ago, and flat rock formations shaped over time by water. The San rock paintings added a deeply emotional and unique dimension to this already special place. Lara also introduced us to the remarkable fynbos vegetation, a biodiverse shrubland filled with fascinating plant life, including rooibos and buchu. Along the way, we saw Cape mountain zebra, adorable rock dassies, klipspringers, oryx, ostrich, lizards, chacma baboons, and black eagles. The food throughout our stay was exceptional. We enjoyed delicious breakfasts and lunches, as well as afternoon tea overlooking the lily pond. Evenings were equally magical—one dinner was set up especially for the four of us in the kitchen garden, lit by candlelight, with a stargazing session led by Lara between the main course and dessert. Another highlight was “Embers,” just as described on their website: “Embraced within a natural amphitheatre of sandstone, Embers is one of the truly unforgettable dining destinations at Bushmans Kloof. Set beneath the sweep of star-spangled southern skies, this al fresco experience is just a short drive from the lodge, with a lantern-lit staircase leading guests to a mountainside eyrie offering dramatic views over the reserve.” It truly lived up to every word. We dined at candlelit tables alongside our guides and enjoyed a superb buffet prepared by talented chefs, accompanied by excellent wines. It was an unforgettable experience. There is also a spa, bicycles, as well as numerous walks and trails to explore—perfect for both relaxation and adventure. During our stay, I was unwell for a short time, and the team could not have been more attentive. They prepared special chicken broth for me and even served dinner on our private terrace. Their care and attention were second to none. We also made use of the laundry service, and everything was returned the same day, freshly washed and beautifully ironed. Our room was always immaculately refreshed, and we appreciated the thoughtful treats left by the bed each evening. Thank you to everyone who made our stay so special—we loved every minute.

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“Highly recommended in every way.”

Absolutely brilliant stay with the family. Wonderful accommodation, staff and dining. Peaceful setting.

“Amazing stay at Bushman’s Kloof!”

We had a fabulous stay at Bushman’s Kloof. We stayed in Cederberg House, which was stunning, with a private pool and plenty of snacks and drinks provided. The house is incredibly spacious and perfect for a family. The staff were incredible from the moment we arrived. Zenobia was a brilliant guide … more

We had a fabulous stay at Bushman’s Kloof. We stayed in Cederberg House, which was stunning, with a private pool and plenty of snacks and drinks provided. The house is incredibly spacious and perfect for a family. The staff were incredible from the moment we arrived. Zenobia was a brilliant guide and took us to see the cave paintings, bird watching, and on a game drive, where we saw ostriches, springbok, and Cape zebras. She is extremely knowledgeable and made every activity interesting and engaging. The cave paintings were a particular highlight, they are amazingly well preserved. On the way to the cave paintings, we stopped for coffee, biscuits, and fruit at the dam as the sun was coming up, which was so peaceful and beautiful. We had an amazing barbecue outside on our first night, and later went stargazing, which was also really interesting. Zenobia also took us on a sunset hike, which was both beautiful and informative. There are often red hartebeest roaming the property, and they frequently grazed near Cederberg House, which was very special to see. The restaurant is lovely and the food was excellent throughout our stay. We would definitely recommend Bushman’s Kloof!

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