Blue Hill Escape
Accommodation and mountain fynbos reserve
Western Cape, South Africa
Activities
There is a range of activities for you to choose from depending on your idea of a great holiday. Most of these can be done without a guide. The use of our land and trail system is free for those who have booked accommodation with us. An entrance fee applies if you are only here for the day.
| Hiking
“Come walk the hills where leopards and baboons roam wild” |
Hiking is a great way to appreciate the beauty of the place, its wild flowers and local wildlife. Most trails lead through rocky, hilly terrain, but vary in length and difficulty. One short walk along the farm road takes you along the stream through the valley to our caves. Another short route is a round trip on the "Baboon Trail". The most difficult hike is the 3-4 hour hike up to Bloukop, our highest peak. But the view from the top is worth all the sweating: a panorama of mountain ranges in all direction - the Swartberge, Baviaansberge, Outeniqua and Kammanassie. |
Mountain biking  |
If you need something a little faster – how about mountain biking? The hilly, rocky trails provide a challenge and lots of fun! Two famous races come through the area each year - the TransBaviaans from Willowmore to Jeffrey's Bay; and the Karoo to Coast or K2K from Uniondale to Knysna. In addition we have several short routes good for advanced riders and beginners on the property and in the vicinity. More information available on request. |
Wildlife watching / photography 
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All wildlife on our property occurs here naturally and there are no game fences to keep it in. Keep an eye out for wildlife when you stay around the house as baboons, klipspringers, dassies and birds can be very close! Alan is an avid wildlife photographer, whose photos have been published in several magazines and reports. If you book an organised walk we will provide you with a copy of the day's photo opportunities. Or fancy seeing some more South African wildlife, including two endangered species – the black rhino and cape mountain zebra? Try the drive to the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area.
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Birding
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The great thing about birding here is that the number of species is manageable for beginners (about 150 species), but also really interesting for twitchers as most of the birds that are found here are Southern African or fynbos endemics. We are part of Kouga-Baviaanskloof 'Important Bird Area'. You can read more about the special birds of the area in the Birdlife document here. We are happy to provide you with information and recommendations with regards species and places to find them before you go out. Or you can make use of Alan’s excellent bird watching skills and go on a walk with him. A preliminary birdlist for the area can be downloaded here as a Word document. We use and recommend the following bird books - click on an image for more details from Amazon.com |
Geology walk  |
If you are interested in the geology of the area, why not take a walk with Chris and find out about the origins of some of our cliffs and caves? Find out why the oervlakte were the perfect refuge to San people, how to tell a quartzite from a shale, and examine recent sedimentary deposits that hide thousands of years of climatoligical history.
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Rock climbing  |
Several quartzite cliffs offer a range of single pitch climbs for trad-climbing. Bouldering opportunities also exist in abundance. Special discounts available to Mountain Club of South Africa members.
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Stargazing  |
Lie on the veranda on a cloudless evening and enjoy one of the Karoo's most amazing spectacles: its star-sparkling sky. For a less romantic but more educational approach, ask Chris for his “speaking” telescope.
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Dawn and Dusk  |
Get up early to have your first cup of coffee while watching the sun rise over the hills. Or walk up the hill in the late afternoon to watch the sky turn red as the sun sets in the Little Karoo.
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Apple Harvest  |
"An apple a day didn't keep these doctors away!" We are just north of the famous Langkloof valley, which supplies many of South Africa's apples. During January and February you can pick apples, pears, peaches and plums from our orchard. No charge for residents. |
Pick your own Proteas  |
Generally, plant collection is not allowed. However, during the autumn months (March to June), the hillsides are abloom with thousands of proteas. A small section of the reserve is set aside for sustainable harvest of these unique flowers that make spectacular and long-lasting flower arrangements. Picking these flowers for your table is a lot more environmentally friendly than buying supermarket flowers, often flown into South Africa from overseas, and riddled with pesticides. We will show you how to harvest flowers so that the plant is not killed and can continue to produce blooms for generations.
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Geocaching and orienteering  |
This is the growing hobby of finding things that other people have hidden, using a gps. If you have not heard about this growing worldwide phenomenon, find out more at geocaching.com. There are several geocaches on the property, or we can provide you with a gps and interesting features around the reserve to navigate to.
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Relax!  |
You don’t need to wait for one of the scarce rainy days to sit back and enjoy the tranquillity of the place. Take off your watch and let the day pass slowly. Read a book, write a diary or reflect upon life and its meaning. Take a break from the pressures of everyday life. Lie in the hammock on the veranda when it's warm or sit on the sofa in the living room in front of a fire when it's cold.
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Any equipment, such as binoculars, telescope or field guides, is free of charge. We bought it for our own use and are happy to give it to you for the day.
Recommended length of stay: If you have lots on your list to see in South Africa, stay for two nights and spend your one full day in the hills. Spend an extra night to do more activities and have time to relax.
Activities on neighbouring farms (fees apply)
San art gallery
One of the most diverse and well kept rock art galleries are hidden on the hills of the Basson's farm. Book early to ensure availability.