Baviaanskloof Region, Eastern Cape

The valley contains a gorge that spans over 100 kilometers between the Baviaanskloof Mountains to the north and the Kouga Mountains to the south. This u-shaped 192 000 hectare reserve is located approximately 120 kilometers west of Port Elizabeth and is named after the baboons that inhabit the area—a combination of the Dutch word 'baviaan' for baboon and the Afrikaans word 'kloof' for ravine.

The Kouga Wilderness is located on the border of the Baviaanskloof in the incredible Kouga Mountains. It is advertised as the ultimate outdoor experience and is a destination for rock climbing, kloofing, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, and 4X4 routes.

Baviaanskloof, the region, encompasses the Karoo towns of Willowmore and Steytlerville as well as a number of small stock farms, and the small town of Patensie is located at the beginning of the gorge; it is, so to speak, the last stop before entering the Baviaanskloof wilderness.

Between 1880 and 1890, Thomas Bain built a single dirt road that, whenever feasible, follows dry river beds and traverses some of the most breathtaking mountain passes.

The Baviaanskloof Area, along with the remainder of the Eastern Cape, is a malaria-free region. Even though mosquitoes may bite at night, they do not transmit this disease. This makes the area suitable for families with young children and elderly members.

It winds through the valley with no other entrance or exit. With 42 river crossings aided solely by causeways, all of which are susceptible to flooding during heavy precipitation, your voyage is certain to be both exciting and beautiful—a region awaiting exploration!

This land of unspoiled wilderness, with its craggy passes and rugged gorges, is only accessible from east to west or west to east.Baviaanskloof provides hours of breathtaking scenery, including veld, indigenous forests, crystal-clear mountain streams, sheer cliffs, and cascades. It is also home to an astonishing array of plant and animal species, including Yellowwoods, Karoo Bossies, and Fynbos.
The best time to visit is in the spring, before the summer rains, or in the fall, before it gets too cold. If possible, visitors should avoid extended weekends and holidays.

Article Courtesy Of www.sahistory.org.za/place/baviaanskloof-region-eastern-cape