Gamtoos Valley (original) (raw)
Gamtoos Valley, Baviaanskloof
The name Gamtoos catches in the back of the throat with a guttural stop so typical of the wonderfully descriptive Afrikaans language. The word probably originated from Dutch settlers, who called the Khoikhoi clan in the area �Gamtousch�, although others argue that it means �the roaring lion� and refers to the sound of the Gamtoos in flood.
Lying adjacent to the Garden Route, just over an hour�s drive from Port Elizabeth, the Gamtoos Valley is home to the three little villages of Hankey, Loerie and Patensie, and is a vibrant mix of citrus, potato and tobacco farming that forms a collage of cultivated fields and orchards.
Regarded as the gateway to the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area, the valley is a treasure trove of beautiful scenery and interesting landmarks that stretch all the way up to Komdomo, where the Baviaanskloof route begins.
The little town of Loerie hosts the Naartjie Festival in September and Hankey is not only the oldest town in the valley but also claims to have the largest Sun Dial in the southern hemisphere - 36.4 metres across.
Here too lie the remains of Sarah �Saartjie� Bartman, a Khoi-San woman, also known as the Hottentot Venus, who was �persuaded� to leave the country for Europe where she was used as a circus attraction, dying finally in France. It was only in 2002 that her remains were finally returned to South Africa.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Self Catering
Ox Wagons @ Bergrivier Eco Retreat
Ox Wagons provide glamping accommodation in Thornhill at the Bergrivier Eco Retreat. Renew mind, body and soul in the most tranquil settings natu...
Self Catering
Krugerskop-Kloof Wilderness Camp
Unspoiled wilderness campsites situated in the Krugerskop-Kloof, Baviaanskloof East Nature Reserve. Each site has a densly covered canopy of Yell...
Bed & Breakfast
Gamtoos B&B
Situated in the village of Patensie and offering fine accommodation, Gamtoos B&B is perfectly located for day trips into the magnificent Baviaans...
Self Catering
Kroonarend @ Bergrivier Eco Retreat
Kroonarend is a perfect stone family chalet accommodating six guests and has spectacular views over the hills and valleys. The chalet is air cond...
Hotel
The Gamtoos Ferry Hotel
The Gamtoos Ferry Hotel can accommodate a total of twelve guests and is located 15km from Jeffreys Bay on the Sunshine coast, Eastern Cape. The h...
Hotel / Bed & Breakfast
Ripple Hill Hotel
On the brim of the magnificent Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve in the heart of the citrus farming community of Patensie, lies the Ripple Hill Hotel. ...
Self Catering
Wieliewaal @ Bergrivier Eco Retreat
Wieliewaal is a cosy, log cabin which boasts stunning views of the valley. Accommodating four guests, the cabin has a main bedroom furnished with...
Self Catering
Taaibos @ Bergrivier Eco Retreat
Taaibos can sleep six guests and enjoys spectacular views over the hills and valleys. The air conditioned unit has a kitchenette equipped with a ...
Self Catering
Naguiltjie @ Bergrivier Eco Retreat
Naguiltjie is a rustic Holiday Home in Thornhill which is fully equipped for self catering and has spectacular views over the hills and valleys. ...
Things to do in the area
Sports & Leisure
Gonjah 4x4 Trails
The exciting Gonjah 4 x 4 Route is a fabulous way to explore and discover the gorgeous area of the Gamtoos River Valley in the Eastern Cape. This...
Caf�s & Eateries
Padlangs
Padlangs is a fully licensed restaurant in the heart of the Kouga Mountain Range and surrounding orchards. It offers a cosy indoor venue that ref...
Nightlife & Theatre
Ripple Hill Hotel Restaurant & Bar
On the premises of the popular Ripple Hill Hotel is a cosy 30 seater restaurant with additional seating on the stoep and in the bar or braai area...
Hiking Trails
Baviaanskloof Hartland 6-day Hike
Start: Rietrivier Finish: RietrivierDuration: roughly 12 km a day Fitness: you need to be fit to cope with steep sections, rock surface and rough...
Cycling
Baviaanskloof MTB Route
Where: The Baviaanskloof World Heritage SiteLevel: difficult, the routes are long and can be gruellingType of route: gravel roads, tricky river c...
Noteworthy attractions
Popular Tourist Routes
Gamtoos Valley
Lying adjacent to the Garden Route, just over an hour�s drive from Port Elizabeth, the Gamtoos Valley is home to the three little villages of Han...
Mountain Reserves
Baviaanskloof Wilderness Reserve
The Valley of the Baboons in the Eastern Cape (in the sandy soil of this valley one can easily spot their footprints), also known as the Baviaans...
National Parks
Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve
The Baviaanskloof Wilderness is an incredibly scenic gorge that lies between two sets of mountain ranges - the Baviaanskloof and the Kouga mounta...
Mountain Passes
Antoniesberg Pass
Antoniesberg Pass is a remote, sheer gravel pass that links the Groot River with the northern side of the Baviaanskloof Mountains.The pass itself...
Mountain Passes
Grasnek Pass
The �home of the baboons� (Baviaanskloof) is a deep ravine through which sweep a number of mountain passes that are nothing short of spectacular....
Mountain Passes
Combrinks Pass
The Baviaanskloof is a valley that runs east to west between the Baviaanskloof Mountains and the Kouga Mountains. The wilderness area is also a W...
Mountain Passes
Nuwekloof Pass Baviaanskloof
The Nuwekloof Pass functions as an entrance to the Baviaanskloof, its red rock faces linking the western section of the kloof with the Karoo town...
Mountain Passes
Holgat Pass
Only one road takes you through the kloof, which is probably why so much of its landscape is untouched, pristine and remote. To the north of Bavi...
Lakes / Dams
The Kouga Dam
Built in the 1960s, the Kouga Dam was the first double-arched dam in South Africa. It's worth a stop for the beauty of its setting in amongst the...
Find accommodation in Gamtoos Valley
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Eastern Cape Accommodation / Karoo Heartland Accommodation / Baviaanskloof Accommodation / Gamtoos Valley Accommodation