Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve And Retreat

South Africa
Africa and Middle East

The Experience

Located within a private wilderness reserve three hours from Cape Town, this serene ecological sanctuary—created from a derelict, overgrazed farm—is filled with blooming flora, a medicinal herb garden, gamboling fauna (including ostriches, zebra and the odd aardvark) and even an ancient al fresco gallery with 130-plus colorful San Bushman rock-art sites, which helped the reserve become a South African Natural Heritage site. Since opening in 1997, the collection of sumptuous lodges and communal quarters have attracted outdoorsmen eager to mountain-bike the craggy Cederberg Mountains and weary travelers looking to take a spa treatment beneath the starry sky.

The Rooms

Accommodations start at simple, 291-square-foot rooms decorated with zebra-skin rugs and flower prints, each overlooking landscaped indigenous gardens. The 730-square-foot Supreme Suite contains a plush, four-poster canopy bed, soaring vaulted ceiling and an iPod docking station, which soundtracks your soak in a private infinity pool. The secluded, family-perfect Koro Lodge is arranged like a home, complete with dual, sun-dappled master bedrooms and private terraces overlooking the craggy, verdant reserve. The lofted upstairs can sleep four kids, and a private chef handles feeding duties.

The Service

Upon arrival, guests receive rooibos herbal tea and are greeted by their guide, who arranges activities from archeological tours to fly-fishing. The unobtrusive staff attend to the tiniest details, including installing bathroom nightlights and bringing dinner to your room free of charge.

The Highlights

Take your pick of dining settings, from the nearby dam to the Embers, a breathtaking restaurant built into an ancient sandstone amphitheater and blazing with candles and lanterns. Meals focus on local ingredients (antelope loin, boerewors sausage, Karoo lamb), as do spa treatments. The touch therapies and intuitive massages incorporate Moya products, which are crafted with Bushman healing plants like buchu, lanyana and Cape May. But for travelers looking for a different kind of relaxation, the terraced Homestead offers both high tea and classic cocktails served until your last call.

 

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