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Gamkaskloof - Heaven or Hell?
To answer this question
you have to pay us a visit and decide for yourself.
Gamkaskloof,
approximately 100
kilometers from Oudtshoorn in South Africa, also known as ("Die Hel") is surrounded by the Swartberg Nature Reserve.
Fonteinplaas,
GPS
GPS Lat
33°21'30.68"S - Long 21°41'23.22"E,
privately owned by Annetjie Joubert (neé Mostert)
offers visitors overnight facilities
in two historic farmhouses as well as on shaded campsites. You can
read more about the Fonteinplaas accommodation options on the
accommodation page.
Accommodation is on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis with self catering an
option. Meals are served in the "Oude Klowers Plaaskombuis" our fully
licensed restaurant that specialises in traditional Gamkaskloof meals. We
also cater for functions and weddings - read more
here.
At
Fonteinplaas you will find Annetjie, the only
remaining, born and bred Gamkaskloofer at her Kiosk, where you can
get anything from firewood, witblits, cold beer and cold
drinks, to a
variety of Gamkaskloof curios and organically grown fruit, both fresh (in
season) as well as preserves. The latest
speciality : Aloe Verox jam!
There you can chat and
listen to Annetjie and relive the rich history of the Kloof, illustrated
by various photo albums, books, magazine articles and of course the Kloof
itself....
Interesting Facts
Gamkaskloof or "Die Hel" as it has become known, is a hidden valley, deep
in the heart of the formidable Swartberg Mountain Range. The fertile
valley runs in an east-west direction and is approximately 20 km long and
600 metres wide.
The
Kloof gets it's name from the Khoisan word for Lion - Gamka - also the
name of the river that enters the valley from the north. There are about
153 species of bird-life in Gamkaskloof, even the fish eagle makes it's
appearance from time to time. Wildlife includes - Klipspringers, Grey
Rhebuck, Rooikat, Porcupines, Leopard etc.
The
Valley features the Gamka River, Camp sites, Picnic Sites, several
historic houses and outbuildings, a school, a cemetery, and old norse
watermill a landing strip and a curious history.
Read:
"Heaven or Hell" a
travel article by Sam Reinders.
"The
lure of an isolated valley" by Engela Duvenage.
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