Bosch Luys Kloof Private Nature Reserve, situated in a malaria and pollution free Karoo area in the Western Cape, a true Karoo Retreat.
A true Karoo Retreat - The unique nature and wildlife experience at Bosch Luys Kloof presents nature at its pure & unspoiled beauty - no artificial human interventions. Game roams freely, no traffic, no electricity lines, tele poles/lines - no other man-made structures in sight! No pollution. All for guests to enjoy - from their chalets, on nature or 4x4 drives, by biking or hiking, etc.
Verifiable comments from guests
Newsflashes
Newsflashes
Departure of Rademeyers
After a wonderful connection of 24 years with Bosch Luys Kloof it is time to leave our wonderful piece of this earth. Father time has taken the decision.
It was but a privilege to act as custodians of this very special piece of the Great Karoo.
There is no way in which we can describe our appreciation for many Holy Interventions that made it possible for us to add our little bit to this God’s Creation. Bosch Luys Kloof’s natural beauty isn’t man made.
The joy of experiencing the appreciation of thousands of guests that visited us since opening the reserve to the public in 2009 was a highlight.
To all who visited us, some becoming friends, our sincere thanks and best wishes. Your kindness was an inspiration.
The new owners have the vision and heart to take the reserve into the future and will add to the foundations we have established. We wish them our very best for their journey. Refer below.
With our best wishes – and do not lose your affection of the reserve, keep on visiting!
Gerhard & Ans Rademeyer
November 2020
Arrival of the Couzis Family
From the vast blue mountains, to the star-studded skies, this distinctive piece of “wild charm” has known only love from the Rademeyers who have shown a visible expression of passion, in their 24-year journey that is Bosch Luys Kloof. We are eternally grateful to them and acutely acknowledge the responsibility of preserving the legacy and natural wilderness of this captivating reserve.
The legacy continues…
With a humble heart - the unspoiled beauty, the rich history and the boundless mass of mountains, we move to set an ambition that mirrors the zeal which grips Bosch Luys Kloof and extend a warm invitation to existing and new guests to continue sharing in this journey.
We are excited to see what the Karoo has in store for us and look forward to the peace and tranquillity that comes with being a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.
With deep gratitude
The Couzis Family
November 2020
COVID – Guests & back to life
After a 3.5 month closure we re-opened again and are astonished by the number of people who want to get out into the open and fresh clean air - where better than Bosch Luys Kloof?!
We are more than thankful – also because we had some rain in between as well. The veld is full of flowers!
And also for the local guests who agreed to shift their bookings to a date after lock-down. Our overseas guests cancelled all bookings – understandably.
All our guests are important to us. Some interesting visitors since August were-
Management – September 2020
- A Subaru Group from Somerset West Subaru
- A Probus group from Cape Town (senior business & professional people)
- The writer/author Deon Meyer
- The writer/author Rian Malan
- A Basson family member (Shoprite Group)
- Debbie Schafer (W.Cape minister of Education)
- The 4x4 writer, Nick Yell
- The Stoll sisters (both Doctors) who covered an astonishing number of our Karomino hikes in four days!
- And many more nice & interesting people!
The weather! Rainfall.
It is great to confirm somewhat better rainfall figures than the previous 5 years! Up to Sept we had some 140mm now.
That is much more than any of the previous three full years already.
The veld reacted well on the 25mm we had in the beginning of September – Vygies & Karoo Gold, etc. looks great!
September 2020
Karomino – Hiking
It is clear that our friends want to get out of the “Covid” trap! Visiting guests are hiking every day on the reserve and enjoying. Currently our Wagon Route and To Moer & Gone are most popular. Bikers love the ride to Gamkapoort Dam and to Seweweekspoort or the To Hell & Gone routes.
Just to feel free and “untrapped / unleashed” is great. And breathing the super clean oxygen rich Bosch Luys Kloof fresh air brings you back to a life better than before Covid!
September 2020
Covid – Tourism
After having closed down completely end March till end June, things picked up from July and we opened up again.
We received much more action than what we thought possible – hard to believe!
So, thank Heavens, we had great local bookings in July, August and September. We are thankful, because all previous overseas bookings were cancelled and deposits had to be repaid.
We are waiting to see whether any overseas booking will follow later in the year or early 2021. The local bookings far exceed expectations. Our new dual purpose chalets accommodating self catering are adding nicely to the bums on beds.
September 2020
Game – where are they??
As the drought continued from 2015 into 2020 our game became just more & more difficult to see. Initially we observed that they roamed further and further away from the popular area along the river bush areas. It made sense because the veld further away was less grazed over the last century. Because of the scarce summer rains ( we are a summer rainfall area ) the grass got less & less and we could see game looking for grass ( red hartebeest e.g.) went out of sight as they roamed further & further away. In 2019 it reached a climax when we had only 50 mm rain for the year! We have probably lost 90% of the red hartebeest.
The tough guys – Gemsbok / Oryx just kept going. Not producing calves, but surviving, probably some 40 odd left still. Most of them have strangely enough moved from the sweet Karoo to the southern fynbos area! The two groups of about 30 in total are still there!
The Kudu that were here in numbers are hard to find. Because they can always trek one would think they will survive. Problem lately was that they had no better spots elsewhere – the drought was everywhere. We and guests have lately started to spot some again. Zebra spoor is everywhere but we do not spot them often. Last week we spotted a group of seven at To Moer & Gone top area.
We have to rebuild. As soon as we are more confident of the weather change, we will move forward.
The loss of living creatures in the Karoo was gross – it started with the tortoises of which we have lost many. Even the troops of baboons are much smaller.
The wonderful thing presently is that many birds are showing up again – usually it is a good sign. A guest spotted 60+ species in the week ending 25 September!
September 2020
Land Art – and you!
We have marked off a 0.75 km stretch of land next to the road from the Lodge down to the Gamkapoort Dam where guests can do some land art using the raw material in the veld – mainly rocks & stones.
It is just for fun and something nice to challenge if you get that arty feeling! It is a way of connecting to Mother Earth.
There is no cell phone or internet signal to distract you. Nobody else will will see or hear you – and you do not have to impress anyone. And there are no critics!
But many a visitor after you may enjoy a special moment viewing these jewels here in the silence of the Great Karoo.
Your piece may even inspire you to do or plan something new and enriching– without money being part of the picture.
March 2020
Amalienstein/Seweweekspoort – history on our doorstep.
A recent guest, Ilse du Toit, sent us a story:
Following an inspiring recommendation from a previous visitor our recent visit to Bosch Luys Kloof unexpectedly completed a symbolic circle of my fathers life for us. He would have been 94 years of age today and this was the first birthday without him since he passed away.
It is in this part of the world and environment where he was born and the graves of our German forefathers are still to be found - and kept wonderfully intact by the people of Zoar.
Our grand grandfather, Elias Polycarpus Schmidt, was sent to Amalienstein in 1881 by the Berlin Missionary Society from Prussia, Germany. He served the mission station and started a shop as well as later building a substantial dam to assist the people with basic needs.
My grandfather, Walter Richard, was born in Amalienstein but later on moved to nearby Ladismith. My father, Eduard Johannes, was born and christened there. As kids they spent many hours on a smallholding close to Bosch Luys Kloof.
Our three days at Bosch Luys Kloof was apart from a wonderful hiking experience, also a nostalgic visit to the past.
February 2020
Red-billed Quela
As has been mentioned before we have had some strange avian visitors due to the drought of the past few years pushing birds off track in search of food and water, and now again another visitor after our good rains of January and February
On 1 March we had a group of four Red-billed Quela stopping over for a day or two before moving on on their journey.
hese birds are thought to be the most abundant bird species on the planet, with estimates (post-breeding) around 1500 billion birds!
Well, for us this was a first and even though there are an estimated 33.5million in Kruger NP seeing them venture this far south of the arid savanna’s of the north was exciting stuff.
February 2020
Rain, Wonderful Rain!
We were wonderfully blessed with generous rains in January & February.
We had nearly 60 mm of well spread rain over a period of about 7 weeks! For our beautiful Great Karoo that is a lot! Bosch Luys Kloof has arisen again and it is such a pleasure to see many green trees and shrubs.
To give perspective – 2019 delivered 2 mm rain in Jan & Feb and 50 mm for the whole of 2019. It was the worst of the 5 year drought.
It is actually really remarkable how the reserve managed to outlive the drought. We trust that the dry spell has been broken.
February 2020
Kudu - Observations 2019 Drought
There are interesting observations to be made.
We have raised our border fences mostly to only 1.5 meters. Kudu have been crossing Bosch Luys Kloof over the ages from the Eastern Cape to the Cedar Berg and back and many calved here and remained here. There was no sense in hindering their the free trek.
We find that our numbers have decreased drastically. We have found a carcass here and there but not many. Logically many have decided to trek. So, how many died on the trek because the drought is everywhere? Sadly we expect huge losses.
The total effect of this drought will affect all of us for a long time – mostly to nature in the broader sense. We have been lucky not to have had any veld fires here.
December 2019
Dassie is staple bread and butter
Our manager and staff had a wonderful sighting of a caracal (rooikat) chasing down and catching a rock hyrax (dassie) in front of them on the road through Seweweekspoort in broad daylight! A few metres from the vehicle the rooikat sat in the bushes with its prize kicking frantically in its mouth. Only when one of the staff spoke did it drop the dassie only to very quickly recapture it, what a sight!
The importance of the dassie as a prey species cannot be ignored, providing many crucial predators with a staple of fresh meat, albeit in bite-sized portions. We have photographed and seen Honey Badger catching dassie, it is a known fact that dassies form up to 90% of a Verreaux Eagles diet. They also form a large percentage of the Cape Mountain Leopard’s diet.
Question is – how many will survive the current drought?
Management Dec 2019
Popular Guests and Architect!
Bosch Luys Kloof’s architect, Henk Lourens from Cape Town and his wife Avril, recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary at Bosch Luys Kloof with a group of friends. They married 10 years ago in a very special feast at Bosch Luys Kloof!
Henk is currently chair of the Cape Institute of Architects and was recently honoured with an architectural award for the design of a dwelling at Stellenbosch, Western Cape. The house was featured in the Condé Nast House & Garden magazine in November.
It is clear why we are still very happy with our buildings that were designed and built on a once desolate Bosch Luys Kloof during 2006 to 2009!
Owners - Dec 2019
EVEN MORE POPULAR !!
A few Decembers ago we hosted the Mminele family at Bosch Luys Kloof. The very friendly family was enjoying the “away from it all” feeling and clean, fresh air that we offer.
It is reported that Mr Daniel Mninele has been appointed as the chief executive of ABSA Bank from January 2020 after a 20 year spell at the Reserve Bank.
In 2018 we also had the privilege of hosting Mr Ton Vosloo of Naspers and a group of esteemed business people, amongst others Mr M le Roux who has been in the news recently for the report on the Democratic Alliance.
All benefitted from the visit to Bosch Luys Kloof of course.
Owners - Nov 2019
NEW BLOOD! Hospitality manager
We have appointed a hospitality manager in October. He will be engaged mainly around the lodge and of course to keep our guests happy.
He will add to and oversee the kitchen, menus and meals offered.
Henry Jones was engaged in the same role in another lodge in the Little Karoo for the past five years.
With his friendly and giving personality we believe he will make our guests’ stay at Bosch Luys Kloof even more pleasant.
Owners - November 2019
BECOMING POPULAR!
After two very entertaining and interesting visits by the Voetspore team and Leisure Wheels magazine (refer latest edition) we hosted some special SA Tourism guests!
End September we were lucky to host a group of journalists and photographers from the RSA, Australia and New Zealand who were on a scouting tour of South Africa. The aim being to develop material to advance our local tourism industry in those countries.
We cross fingers that all in the industry will benefit from the project. And we appreciate the positive initiatives by SA Tourism.
Owners – October 2019
Leisure Wheels 4x4
We were fortunate to host Leisure Wheels 4x4, the largest 4x4 magazine in the RSA, recently. The editor, Danie Botha, did a tour with a group of journalists and photographers in the Western Cape inland and we were lucky to be included in the tourplan.
We look forward to some comment or a photo or two in a future edition or on their website! They enjoyed Ford double cab bakkies for their trip.
Sept 2019
Prince Albert Cycles - MTB
Arno Botha organises MTB tours in the Karoo from his business in Prince Albert. The routes cross over unique and beautiful nature offerings , but there are also some serious challenges on the routes! At Bosch Luys Kloof it includes the Bosluiskloof Pass and the up or down climb of the “Ladder” from or to Gamkaskloof (the Hell) with your cycle on your shoulder! Another group of cyclists have taken to the challenge recently.
Sept 2019
Take only photos, leave only…Voetspore
On the 12th of August we were honoured to host the 2019 Voetspore team on their tour through this part of the Karoo! Voetspore is a popular television series airing currently on SABC 2 at 19h00 every Monday night. Johan Badenhorst (host), his adventure-seeking Voetspore crew of 6 guys and their 3 Toyota Land Cruisers started this series off in Namibia, but have in the past travelled through India and Africa. The episode covering their stay and adventures at Bosch Luys Kloof and subsequently Seweweekspoort and Ladismith aired on Monday 2 September. We thank the Voetspore team for a pleasant visit and the airtime we enjoyed on their programme.
August 2019
A gem for geologists
A visit to Bosch Luys Kloof is a geological journey in itself! Whether approaching from the R62 through the spectacular folded sandstones of Seweweekspoort…or the Rooinek and Witnek passes from the N1 to the north, the approach takes one through countless millennia of geological processes, expressed in spectacular passes, gorges, rocks and mountain tops. The mountains encompassing Bosch Luys Kloof remind one of something from JR Tolkiens Lord of the Rings, adorned in different hues of colour as the sun traverses the sky from dawn till dusk! Always excited to learn something new about this hidden valley we were happy to host the Blaine family from 22 till 25 August with avid geologist John Blaine at the head. He has shown great interest in one of the more distinct conical ‘koppies’ towards the Gamkapoort dam. This koppie will be known to guests who have visited the reserve before… unlike any others in the area it is much paler in colour and devoid of any plant life, standing out unmistakably amongst the myriad of other geological formations. We look forward to hearing more from John who believes the origin thereof to have involved an eruption of steam and gasses from beneath the earth’s crust many millions of years ago.
August 2019
Honey Badgers on set
Driving down the BLK pass we noticed an unusual drag mark along the road. On closer investigation the drag mark was laced with tufts of what looked like Klipspringer hair, and as could be expected just off the road out of sight lay a Klipspringer. The unfortunate little antelope had all the tell-tale signs of being the prey of a caracal: the flesh had been eaten from the inside of the hind legs, and to add to this there were fresh caracal droppings on the road at the top of the Bosch Luys Kloof pass.
Our guide used this opportunity to place his motion camera out at the carcass to find out who the culprit was, and the photos were entirely unexpected. Honey badgers, one on the first night, and two on the second, fed on the carcass before dragging it into a hole in the ground just off the side of the pass. Notoriously tough and aggressive, the chances are good that these guys chased the caracal off its kill, or just showed up at the kill and stole it. See photos of these robbers in action our Gallery, nr 84 & 85.
July 2019
Manager
Waterbirds return to Gamkapoort dam
Good news for all those keen birders! It’s truly amazing how birds know to return to certain freshwater bodies very shortly after they take water again after extended dry periods. Our guide spent a short afternoon rowing on the Gamkapoort dam in mid-July and noticed amongst others that the following species of birds had returned with the return of water ( the dam has been completely dry for the last 2+ yrs ):
Little Grebe, Black-winged stilt, Three-banded plover, Reed cormorant, Egyptian goose, Red-billed teal, Yellow-billed duck, Spur-winged goose, African Fish Eagle and more. We are excited to have the water birds returning to this area.
July 2019
Manager
The KAROMINO Experience – away from it all!
We have opened our Karomino special hiking experience to all who love to enjoy hiking in the peace and quiet of the Karoo.
The ten different routes have been explored over many years as the reserve has been developed. The experience, which can be a physical or spiritual experience (or both), entails a week stayover on the reserve whilst doing a hiking route per day –starting Monday, ending Saturday i.e. six hikes. There are 10 varied routes to choose from and we will assist hikers every day in making the choices.
Although Bosch Luys Kloof is regarded as a mountain wilderness area it is a hiking paradise – not a climbing exercise.
Hikers stay in luxury chalets and enjoy all meals at the lodge where all hikes start and end.
For more detail read the KAROMINO section on www.boschluyskloof.co.za
Safe and secure.
July 2019 - Management
FACEBOOK – joining in July 2019
We have decided to join in some of the presently popular ways of marketing and opened a Facebook page – Bosch Luys Kloof.
Because we can’t manage it from our station (limited capabilities via satellite) we contracted a small professional marketing group in George, Western Cape.
Having joined Booking.com and the Nightsbridge booking portal in June we are getting “out of the bush”!!
It will grow over time and we are highly interested to see what kind of results it will deliver.
July 2019 - Management
A Bush Pig here?
Our guide & manager and his guests when out on a Nature Drive a week ago and after stopping at a viewpoint for refreshments, to everyone's surprise, saw an African Bush Pig trotting out across the road and into the Acacia thicket on the other side. They were able to watch this strange visitor and get a photograph or two. Refer to the gallery. This was a rare and first sighting for a number of reasons. The African Bush Pig is a nocturnal animal that typically prefer dense forests and underbrush along rivers and streams. Their distribution normally was at the foot of mountains in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal. This one might have crossed or came downstream with the Dwijka river which for the last month has had water in. Bushpigs are known to be strong swimmers.
Will be interesting to learn if he/she brought friends along.
22 May 2019
Water restrictions
In view of the ongoing drought in the Western Cape and Karoo, we have increased our fresh water reservoir for our accommodation from 40000 to 60000 Litres.
Management - 2019 May
It will provide enough water for consumption for weeks even with no inflow. Our dayly inflow ranges from 5000 L to 8000 L approx. and we still do not restrick usage.
We do use water with respect - always.
Mountain Passes South Africa
We had the pleasure of accommodating Trygve ( Robbie ) Roberts with a group of his guests over the past week-end.
Managament - May 2019
Apart from being probably the most interesting and exciting tours you can join, the quality of the guests and the tour leader is outstanding.
Trygve Roberts is widely accepted as one of the most knowledgeable men in South Africa regarding mountain passes.
Thanks again for your visit!
Community Support
Bosch Luys Kloof makes a monthly contribution to the Zoar Development Forum's children food project.
Food is handed out to approx 300 children three times a week!
Refer to our photo Gallery nrs 80 & 81
April 2019
Instant online booking system
We have signed up with Nightsbridge as a direct 'booking channel' for instant online bookings via our website. Guests who prefer to do an "immediate" booking can now check availability and make an instant online booking via our website.
Guests who prefer to make an enquiry from our website's Enquiry page directly to us as in the past, are still welcome to do so of course.
April 2019
Supplementary feed
Our approach of not interfering with the environment and letting nature take its course is under pressure. After a sustained drought of 4 years we have decided to provide 'Game licks' containing supplements of mainly protein, vitamins and minerals near the waterholes. We just hope the animals utilize these "foreign objects" in the veld!
March 2019
Gamkapoort Dam
(Not to be confused with the Gamka Dam at Beaufort West)
After some good rains fell recently in the deeper Karoo areas (Merweville, some districts of Beaufort West, etc.) the large catchment area managed to produce some water for our dam. The manager of the dam indicated that the dam was 35% filled.
What a relief! Our look-out point overlooking the dam is back in action. Since the dam features a large flat surface it is still a nice sighting.
It remains to be seen what pressures the farmers downstream will excert to have the sluices opened to let water through. We will understand that.
March 2019
Birding in January
January is not the best birding month for the Great Karoo, but despite this guests Kath and Gerry Aggis from Colchester UK, keen birders who visited us from 13 till 16 January had a final bird count of 53 species over their three day stay
Our record to date, being in the month of September, was 65 species over a three day stay. This was in 2016 with some waterbirds also being present when the Gamkapoort dam still had some water in it
Very well done to Kath and Gerry, also for adding a few more species (Steppe Buzzard and African Reed Warbler amongst others) to the list. We have noticed that dwindling water bodies in other areas have led to the movement of interesting species not usually found at Bosch Luys Kloof through our valley in search of surface water. Only this morning (25 Jan) our guide spotted a Giant Kingfisher at the lodges garden reservoir, likely hoping to grab itself a goldfish on its way to greener pastures.
January 2019
New Chef
Sunida van der Westhuizen, who was with us as chef for the most of 2019 has moved to Namibia to join her fiance. Our best wishes to you and Alwyn- may you have a bright future together!
Our new chef, Christy-Anne Foord, joined us in January and has already received good reviews from guests. Christy, 26 years old, comes from a diverse background ranging from a degree in psychology, courses in massage therapy and back to her declared real passion - Food! She did her training through the South African Chefs Academy in Cape Town finishing in the top three and has worked for the likes of Bertus Basson at his fine dining restaurants Overture and Eike in Stellenbosch .
We believe that Christy will be a great asset to the business and look forward to what she brings to the table.
Welcome Christy!
January 2019
Tortoises, drought influences etc.
Refer to News Flashes of Feb 2018
After having found even more dead tortoises in the veld we realise that there are more factors contributing to the deaths than previously thought.We are actually dumbfounded by the amount of dead tortoises we are finding. The sustained drought has definitely had a marked effect everywhere and this is evident on many levels and aspects at Bosch Luys Kloof.
We suspect that the abnormally high amount of dry plant material that the animals are forced to eat also has a marked effect. Simply because there is not enough new growth / green material in the veld.
Recently, a lion in Karoo National Park was photographed eating two leopard tortoises, one after the other!
We are finding that the Cape Leopard that occur naturally at Bosch Luys Kloof are also utilising different prey size and lately started going for your bigger animals like young kudus, it might be because smaller prey items are dispersing and abundance thereof is declining because of the ongoing drought.
Our hands-off approach is still implemented, we do not interfere with nature (we have not supplied any feed yet). We truly hope 2019 will bring an end to the ongoing drought.
In the meantime the strongest will survive.
December 2018
Father and son add interesting new addition to bird list
Christopher Parsons (15yrs) and his father Andrew who visited Bosch Luys Kloof with their family in December for five days were lucky enough to spot a bird that was not previously on the Bosch Luys Kloof bird list.
Father and son spent a while at our Prammetjie waterholes birdhide on 19 December, and saw amongst other species an interesting kingfisher. Fortunately Christopher could take a very clear photograph of the kingfisher, and after paging through bird books later on at the lodge they were able to identify it as a Half-Collared Kingfisher!
The status of this beautiful kingfisher in South Africa is near threatened and they normally avoid dams or slow flowing water bodies. The fact that they prefer clear, well-vegetated fast-flowing streams in forested areas shows how lucky Andrew and Christopher were to see this bird at Bosch Luys Kloof. We have now added it to our bird list, and for interests sake a photo of it to our website's gallery (Image 79). Thank you Andrew and Christopher.
December 2018
Discovering more history
During October we covered different areas of the reserve on foot taking note of tracks and signs of animals to track their movements and get a rough idea of numbers and the effects of a three year drought on the different species at Bosch Luys Kloof. On one such excursion into a little kloof known as "Verneukskloof" the guys made an interesting discovery.
About 2km up the kloof they came across patches of water! Further on, up the kloof they discovered the ruins of another pioneer settlement which no one knew of. The ruins include a pioneer house, stone packed livestock kraals, a cement water trough as well as a donkey threshing floor, etc. This settlement is about 3km east from the well-known Hartmanns settlement on our Wagon Route hiking trail. These two families must have known each other. It could well be a descendent of JP Hartmann himself. Some porcelain and ceramic remnants of bowls, plates,etc where also found.
Alike the Hartman settlement, this settlement also lies just below a permanent water source, that is still trickling even today.
The "Verneukskloof" settlement adds even more value to the already history-rich Bosch Luys Kloof and in the near future we plan to add yet another hiking trail to share these historical findings with our guests.
November 2018
Spring - Flora
We often have guests asking what the best time of year is to visit to see flowers…and this is always a tough question. The answer is governed by various climatic conditions (when the winter rain falls, when the spring sun heats up sufficiently after winter and so on). This year towards the end of September and in the first two weeks in October, despite the lack of sufficient rain, various plants came to the party dressed in different shades of purple, yellow, blue red and white. Doring vygies flowered en masse on the lower flats of the reserve, the Karoo violets were out in abundance all over and up the pass the Polygala's also made an appearance. Klapperbos flowers blushed shades of pink and here and there cancer bush blooms popped out.
The end of September and October is most often a good time for vygies and various other plants to bloom.
Our greatest joy was when the Sweet Thorn/ Soetdoring Trees (Acacia Karoo) managed to spread out their magnificent green foliage once again. Because of the ongoing drought we were holding our breaths!
October 2018
To Hell & Gone – New Benchmark for the Ladder!
From 3 till 12 August we were happy to host the Collins family and friends for Andre & Barbara’s birthdays and anniversary.They all enjoyed our range of drives, hikes, trails, etc.
An interesting point. Andre & friends did a trip via the “To Hell & Gone” 4x4 track and decided to do an up & down climb of the Ladder. The new benchmark is 26.5 minutes that Andre took to walk/jog up the ladder from the bottom to our picnic spot right at the top! He gave permission that we may add his age --- 70 yrs young!
Andre is well known as a Springbok canoe-ist and Ironman competitor – currently under the top three in the world. In the very active group there were various other Ironman, Cape Epic and other event competitors!
August 2018
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Things are cooling down quite a bit here in the Great Karoo! Snow has recently fallen on the top of the Bosch Luys Kloof pass and at the reserves main gate.
On the 2nd of July, staff and guests alike couldn't help but take a moment or two to brave the cold and walk in a Karoo 'winter wonderland' as the snow flakes covered our Mountain Fynbos.
With clear skies overnight, temperatures down at the lodge dropped to -2°C! Following massive cold fronts blowing in from Cape Town, it was not surprising that snow soon followed.
The snow is unfortunately not long-lived on the pass itself (temperatures during the day are moderate), but the Seweweekspoort Peak still boasts an icy white blanket. As winter progresses she might keep her cold exterior for a while? As the snow melts we can only look forward to the beautiful Seweweekspoort streams swelling and bringing new life. Hence the Swartbergs Khoi-khoi name Cango, meaning 'Mountains of water'
As for now, we here at Bosch Luys Kloof will keep the winter-fires burning high!
July 2018
Cat versus Dog!
We have noticed a decline in Black-Backed Jackal at Bosch Luys Kloof in the last year or two. On guided drives over the years sightings of jackal were not uncommon, often more than just one were sighted per drive. Their nostalgic calls would regularly usher in the Karoo night, but lately we seldom hear them call. We have however noticed a trend: fewer signs of jackal, but an increase in sightings of Cape Mountain Leopard.
Another female leopard was photographed on the motion camera in broad daylight in the same location as the Cape Clawless otter, and a large male was photographed closer to our eastern boundary feeding off a zebra carcass. Leopard home area ranges vary in size depending on the availability of food. We have identified at least four different cats based on markings to date, being a good indication that their natural prey are sufficient.
Being opportunistic, they readily feed from rotting carcasses, and it is also possible that an increase in this source of food due to the drought in the Western Cape has attracted more leopard to this area. Leopard are known to actively hunt and kill jackal as they compete for the same food, especially in the Western Cape where the cats take smaller prey items than they do up north. We are however inclined to think that the increase in leopard numbers has had a negative effect on our jackal population. Luckily, both of these predators are extremely resilient, with Panthera pardus (Leopard) being the most widespread and succesful of all the large cats, and despite relentless persecution by livestock and game farmers, the jackal is still widely distibuted in this sub-region.
It seems that, for now, the nights belong to the silent stalkers, and that in this instance, 'Once the dogs are away the cats will play'!
Junie 2018
Cape Clawless Otter - a rare sight
Due to the limited number of natural surface waterbodies at Bosch Luys Kloof we were pleasantly surprised to capture a Cape Clawless Otter on the motion camera in the last few days of May!
Above the ruins of one of the old pioneer cottages (~1800's) on the reserve, at a rare constant spring with a small perennial stream we captured two images of a fat and healthy looking otter.
The Bosch Luys Kloof river is intermittent, only flowing after good rain in the valley itself, or further upstream, but prey items for the otter such as crabs, frogs, birds and insects are still present in pockets such as this spring on the reserve even in drier times.
Otters are usually absent from most of the dry interior of the subregion, and we are very happy to have this little fellow and hopefully a few more of his relatives, calling Bosch Luys Kloof home.
May 2018
History Section
The 5th paragraph of the history of the owners refer to our wooden cross on the hill overlooking the riverine bush and southern hills and mountains.
In the meanwhile Ans has developed a spiritual path up the hill with some physical "works of art" along the way up. A leaflet is available giving insight in some thoughts as you proceed up the hill. Something was still missing.
Finally we found an artist in Mossel Bay that was willing to build a 2.5 meter Angel - using his trademark of basically scrap metal. The Angel has arrived about a month ago and is looking out over the valley with spreaded wings!
A troop of baboons that is usually in this area are also looking at this new wonder! They are circling it and are sitting around it BUT have up to now not climbed onto it.
We trust the Angel will not allow that…
Gerhard & Ans
May 2018
Tripadvisor
We are happy to mention that we have reached the 150 plus comments level at Tripadvisor.
Gerhard & Ans
Aware of our mission to do our utmost to make our guests' visit special, we are very happy to mention that we had 145 "Excellent"comments out of a total of 154!!
Add to that 7 "Very Good" comments, and we are really proud of the achievement.
Given our location 50 plus km from the nearest town, our full board offer is a challenge but we have succeeded according to those comments and the many in our Guest Comments Book.
We are grateful and thankful to our staff also doing their best all the time.
May 2018
TORTOISES - tragedy
The severe drought that the Western Cape and the Karoo has experienced since 2015 has naturally impacted on the vegetation and animals of Bosch Luys Kloof alike. And in ways you would never expect.
With our policy of no interference in the natural environment at Bosch Luys Kloof, unexpected things happen. And we are just lucky to learn of some.
Our Leopard Tortoise population has been indirectly affected by the drought and in a way no one would expect.
A lengthy period of minimal rain results in a lack of greenery and new growth, also a lack of flowers and seeds. With green plants containing more protein essential for growth and muscle accumulation than dry carbohydrate rich plant material, omnivores such as the Chacma baboon will supplement their own protein requirements with anything from scorpions and invertebrates, carrion and small antelopes to birds eggs.
And as we recently found out --- even tortoise eggs.
It likely only took one baboon figuring out there is a protein rich source of eggs inside a pregnant female tortoise and then they were onto them. With terrible consequences. We have come across a number of dead female tortoises and in some cases we could ascertain that they were killed - lying on their backs with a trail of broken eggs clearly visible. Turned on their back the tortoises are of course defenseless. Cruel -- but survival favours the fittest and most adaptable --- the very intelligent Chacma baboon, hundreds of which inhabit Bosch Luys Kloof.
The largest tortoise shell picked up was nearly 50 cm long.
February 2018 - Nature Guides
CAR WRECK IN PASS - "To Heaven & Gone"
The old car wreck that can be seen from our Pass has been identified ! It is a 1937 Plymouth P3.
This is how they looked in their prime ---
What happened and when remains a question. Look out for the sign "To Heaven & Gone".
MANAGEMENT - December 2017
Our thanks to Pieter Olckers of Prince Albert who climbed down to the wreck, managed to trace the serial number and identified the car.
Love is in the Air!
Spring has arrived.
The Birse-Stewart couple from Scotland visited us on the week-end of 20/22 October as part of their honeymoon in South Africa.
At the same time the Beukes/Morkel couple from our West Coast visited us and on the lovely afternoon were engaged.
They had a nice time and good company with also the De Villiers couple who visited us again after they enjoyed their 25th wedding anniversary here a few months ago!
Maybe something to do with our little road running past the chalets : "Route Sexy Too" (in competition with Route 62)
October 2017
Old friends re-unite in the Boslus bar
We recently hosted guests Jaco and Georgina Steyn from Ceres, Cape at Bosch Luys Kloof. Georgina was pleasantly surprised to bump into an old friend in the Boslus bar, a 1963 Dias Magnum bottle of port, the label which she had designed 29 years ago! A limited selection of these bottles were released, and the label won an international prize at the Finat competition in The Hague, Holland, for the printwork done on it in 1988! Georgina says it is the first time she has seen one of these bottles since working on them nearly 30 years ago . This 1963 Vintage port, bottled from casks was released in 1988 as a commemoration 500 years after Bartholomew Diaz' landing in Mossel Bay in 1488.
August 2017
Eland calves lighten the mood
The continuing drought ensures its day-to-day challenges, but Bosch Luys Kloof has received some good news when our guide spotted three eland calves among the herd. These calves were only a few days old and are a sure sign that the eland population is not negatively affected by the drought but still shows positive population growth. Calves can be dropped throughout the year after a gestation period of approximately 270 days and remain hidden by the mother for the first two weeks. Eland are highly adaptable to changing environments and calves can achieve a mass of 450kg by the end of their first year.
July 2017
Spy in the bush
Our motion camera is proving to be quite the 'spy in the bush'. On 14 May around midday another honey badger was photographed strolling down an isolated kloof on the north eastern end of the reserve. Not long afterwards the same badger came back up past the camera triumphantly carrying a freshly killed dassie - lunch. Judging from the bite wounds to the dassies head we assume that the badger pulled the dassie from a crack in the rock where it had retreated to. This is interesting behaviour. Badgers are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular (active early morning/dusk). They might adopt diurnal habits (active at night and during the day, in shifts) where there is little to no human interference, or during winter months. The following day two badgers were once again photographed together in the same kloof. It is possible that badgers in this area have adapted their habits to specialize in also targeting dassies due to the abundance of this prey item. See photo's 64 & 65 on our Gallery Page
A third series of photographs of Cape Mountain leopard was also captured on 20 May to the west of the lodge. Judging from the three different shot sequences we have so far we can be fairly sure that at least two different cats have been photographed here.
May 2017
Finally rain
'Karoo' is derived from the khoi language and directly translated means 'land of thirst/dry'. Similarly the word 'Cango' used widely in the area was the khoi name for the Swartberg mountains that translates basically to 'mountains of water'. Well this part of the Karoo has been living up to its name and reputation for a long time now, but finally on Saturday 8 April a shower of 21mm, with another 19mm falling the following afternoon quenched the thirst at Bosch Luys Kloof! In the 'Cango' mountains near Prince Albert, Thomas Bain's famous Swartberg PASS became IMPASSABLE. Luckily the Bosluiskloof pass was built mainly on shale rock and did not take any noteworthy damage and is passable.
Our river flowed for the first time in 15 months and the Karoo vegetation, as always, is quick to react to these favourable conditions. Within a week the otherwise grey bushes were covered in green shoots and many are now in flower.
April 2017
Leopard on camera again
We have managed to capture another Cape Mountain Leopard on camera at Bosch Luys Kloof. Photographed around 20h00 on 12 April, the right hand side of the cat is in full view (head as well) this time but unfortunately it is hard to tell whether this is the same leopard previously photographed .The camera uses a PIR for night photography so four successive shots were possible with no flash shying the animal off.
This section of sparsely populated and unspoilt mountain wilderness is a haven for the Cape Mountain Leopard, and being such elusive creatures it comes as little surprise that author Justin Fox describes them as one of the 'Impossible Five'.
April 2017
Elusive leopard caught on camera
We finally have our elusive leopard on camera! In the early hours of the morning on 5 February what looks to be a female Cape Mountain Leopard was caught on our camera trap approaching a baboon carcass. Leopards are opportunistic cats and will feed on carrion.
Our nature guide / manager came across a "not so well looking" large male Chacma Baboon on an afternoon drive at one of our waterholes. The following day the baboon was found dead at the same spot. He moved the carcass a short distance from the water and set up his motion camera. That same night he captured the leopard on camera.
Have a look at the photo on our photo gallery on the web - nr 62 & 63.
The Cape Leopard is extremely shy and is almost never seen during daytime. But they are everywhere in the Western Cape! Fortunately there is no record that they have ever attacked the human species!
February 2017
Strange Honey Badger behaviour
You can spend months even years in a given area without seeing certain species more than a handful of times, others you will never see. Our guide recently acquired a trail/motion camera and was extremely lucky on his first placement to capture not one but three mature honey badgers in a valley that seldom sees any human activity. The camera uses PIR (infra red) rather than a flash to photograph at night. A flash will often frighten animals off, making a second shot impossible. We were lucky enough to capture a series of photographs of the three badgers, possibly two males tailing a receptive female, as they set about their nightly activities. Honey Badgers are usually solitary, but will band together to mate, so to have evidence of three adults together is exciting. See photo's 60 & 61 on our Gallery page.
December 2016
Bosch Luys Kloof pioneer trekkers!
Ed Meyer and his son in law, Chris Das, visited us recently. Ed's great grandfather, Carl Meyer and his wife Hanna, trekked from the Amalienstein Berlin Mission station in 1878 into the vast hinterland to start another mission station in Kimberley. Carl's father, moving here from Germany, started the mission station in Amalienstein in 1858. Carl, married Hanna Dietrich in the beautiful old church that is still the Lutheran Church in Amalienstein today!
They trekked to Kimberley in 1878 soon after the wedding, starting with an 18 ox-wagon. The Seweweeks Poort wagon route was completed in about 1864 and the Bosch Luys Kloof pass shortly thereafter.
Hanna was known as an adventurous lady who wouldn’t shy away from any new adventure. It is written that they thoroughly enjoyed the trek through the beautiful but rugged partly tamed Africa. At the confluence of two rivers (probably Gamka Poort Dam today) they parted with the oxen that had to return to Amalienstein and trekked on with a then "converted" mule wagon, pulled by 10 mules! To travel this same road today and to think about that very adventurous journey by oxwagon, was a nostalgic and emotional experience for Ed. That did not stop him from enjoying the visit and some good wine!
October 2016
More about birding - Young enthusiasts!
We have been visited by the Buckham family earlier in the month. Apart from being fantastic guests two of the young guys, Thomas (13) and Adam (11), managed to list 63 bird species within their three day stay! Only two very experienced previous guests achieved a 60+ count.
Well done again guys!!
Birding is enjoyed by the family - during the visit their father was on a birding expedition in Panama!
October 2016
BIRDING
We were visited by Vernon Head, the chairman of BirdLife South Africa, and his family in early September.
September 2016
He wrote back to us -
"You should tell guests that it is possible to see over 40 species from the deck of a chalet! My final count from the front deck was 42 species, 39 of which were seen in two hours while having coffee on the first morning! This does not happen even in the Kruger National Park!"
Vernon is the author of "The Search for the Rarest Bird in the World", published in 2014 and worth a read.
His total spot over the three days was 65 species!
The Bain Connection
In 1862, Adam de Smidt completed construction of the route through Seweweekspoort, down the now historic and breathtaking Bosch Luys Kloof pass and on through Bosch Luys Kloof valley to Prince Albert. His brother-in-law, the man with the theodolite eye, Thomas Bain and his friend Dr Atherstone travelled along this road in 1871. In July we were thrilled to host the Bain family; Peter, Alison, Elizabeth and Georgina Bain at Bosch Luys Kloof. 145 years after the great mountain pass builder Thomas Bain travelled this road on horseback, his great grandson and his family travelled this road to Bosch Luys Kloof lodge…on four rubberized wheels. Both Peter and Alison are qualified pilots, and although they thoroughly enjoyed driving down their ancestors pass, suggested a suitable location on the reserve for a small runway…the theodolite eye seems to have been inherited.
June 2016
Hiking, Trailrunning & MTB route - new
We are pleased to announce that we have recently completed a new trail for guests to enjoy. This latest one boasts some spectacular scenery, with viewpoints including one overlooking Bosch Luys Kloof River Canyon (one of our Big Five walks) and great views of Seweweekspoort peak (highest in Western Cape). There is a short circular version we have named 'Die Kruine' or 'The Crest' which is approx 4km, and then there is the longer version. We have dubbed this one 'To Moer and Gone', to compliment our 'To Hell n Gone' route ( The Beginning and The End ! ) The exact distance of this route from start to finish still needs to be ascertained, but roughly 10 km. A brilliant trail for both hikers and trailrunners alike, and dedicated possibly mountainbike (or downhill mountainbike) enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a few sections of the route on the saddle, though pushing or carrying will be necessary over other sections. Come and enjoy this new route.
July 2016
Trailrunning
We hosted a freelance travel blogger and avid trailrunner at Bosch Luys Kloof recently. She crammed as many activities as possible into her short stay with us. On her day of arrival, a cycle trip to and back from Zoar (R62 turnoff) through the iconic Seweweekspoort and a guided nature drive through the reserve. Acclimatized, the following morning she did a trailrun along a shortened version of our Shepherds Trail 4x4 route before breakfast, and cycled to the Gamkapoortdam and back afterwards, managing to fit in some R & R upon her return to the lodge. The following morning before breakfast she trailran our challenging Wagon Route to Beaufort 4x4 track before breakfast, in 1.5hrs…a round trip which takes hikers up to 4hrs to complete from the lodge, and can take longer in a 4x4!
She rated Bosch Luys Kloof as a destination with wonderful MTB & trailrunning opportunities. Confirming the views expressed by other guests.
We are planning to open another route in 2016 that promises to be spectacular.
Keep going Taryn !!
January 2016
Tel:
+27 23 581 5046
Email:
info@boschluyskloof.co.za
Hall of Fame
Certificate of Excellence for
5 years running
Bosch Luys Kloof is an Afristay Valued MemberWhy visit a reserve like Bosch Luys Kloof?
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Location
Great Swartberg
Southern border
The Hell
Bordering on Southeast corner
Bosluiskloof historic pass
On site
Oudtshoorn
110km
Seweweekspoort
4km
R62 turn-off
24km via Seweweekspoort from our gate
George
170km
Cape Town
330km
The Experience
Why visit a reserve like Bosch Luys Kloof? Here are a few good reasons!
- The exposure to sunshine feeds the body with a natural form of Vit D - a preventor of cancer, depression and high blood pressure.
- Sleeping without electronic interference resets your sleeping rhythm. More sleep brings more happiness!
- More physical activity means more oxygen and more sunlight produces more endorphins in the brain that again brings more happiness!
- More activity in our very special clean air (The reserve includes some 1000ha of spekboom (Portulacaria afra) that is known as the highest converter of carbon to oxygen in the world of flora) improves circulation, gives a better sleep and thus boosts cardio and bone health!
- Quality time with your partner and kids or friends brings about enhanced social health!
- AND one can think more clearly in the 'silence' of nature!
Couple this with our health conscious menus and you are the winners.
Reduced from an article by Stanford Payne, an executive and business coach.
Aug 2014
The Road to Bosch Luys Kloof
The 32km stretch of road from the R62 turnoff to Bosch Luys Kloof winds through Seweweekspoort, past Besemfontein and down the iconic Bosch Luys Kloof pass to reach the Lodge and chalets. It is without a doubt one of the most impressive access routes (and backroads) that a nature lover or traveller could enjoy. The rock formations, rough wilderness and spectacular views are unique! You might also encounter some wildlife during the final 13km stretch after the reserves main gate.
The road condition varies depending on when it was last scraped by the grader. In drier periods conditions aren’t ideal for the graders blade to make a worthwhile difference to the road surface – the road is too hard. Guests still always reach us – we just advise that one drives a little slower over the worst parts. The scenery is such that one would not want to rush the last stretch in any event. Enjoy the drive and the adventure! Any vehicle except a sports or very low profile car can reach us.
Any rented car handles the drive easily!
Guests are welcome to phone us from the main gate (mobile phone reception disappears after this point) and let us know they are on their way. We will come and assist if need be! This has however never been necessary. And for those guests who arrive at the lodge after the adventurous trip with a bit of nerves, we have some strong medicine in our bush pub!
On the road to ‘Heaven’ (Bosch Luys Kloof) there are always stumbling blocks – but the reward is worthwhile. The road to ‘The Hell’/Gamkaskloof – adjacent – in this instance is strangely enough more difficult to navigate and much longer!
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