Blue Hill Escape
Accommodation and mountain fynbos reserve
Western Cape, South Africa
All-inclusive packages
Ideal for travellers looking for a hassle-free and informative experience focused on the area's natural wonders, our packages include all local transfers (from George, Oudtshoorn or Willowmore), accommodation, meals, entrance fees and guides. Prices are per person sharing and do not include flights or personal purchases.
Two Night Taster - Ideal for long weekends or visitors who are undertaking a larger South Africa tour and want to experience the essence of the Kouga mountains and its amazing fynbos - R1950
Three Night Baviaanskloof Special - As well as experiencing the Kouga mountains and fynbos a complete day will be spent driving through the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, a living landscape with a unique culture and wildlife - R2675
Seven Night Introduction to Fynbos Research - This is your chance to experience and participate in the ongoing research being conducted at Blue Hill Nature Reserve, learn what is being done and why. Develop a real appreciation for the vegetation, birds, mammals, reptiles and ecology of the region. Ideal for anyone who has ever participated in Earthwatch or Biosphere programs, but much cheaper, choose your own dates, and no minimum number of participants required - R5375
Itinerary - Two Night Taster
Day 1 - Transfer to Blue Hill Escape. After dinner there will be an introductory talk.
Day 2 - Daybreak start, coffee / tea and rusks, followed
by a short walk that takes in farmland, riverside, ancient landsurfaces,
historical ruins, birds and tracks. After breakfast choose from one of
the following options:
1. Longer hikes to see rock formations, sugarbird valley, cascades, bees
and fynbos
2. Visit to a working farm: Learn about ostrich farming, sheep shearing
or lambing (seasonal)
3. Visit a cave with well preserved bushman paintings.
After lunch we will drive a 4x4 track to the Langkloof viewpoint, through
protea valleys and mountain fynbos. Overlooking the Langkloof valley we
will enjoy a sundowner before our drive back for dinner. After dinner
we can go for a walk for a chance to see some of the nocturnal wildlife.
Day 3 - Breakfast and departure depending on flight or
bus times.
Three Night Baviaanskloof Special
Days 1 and 2 as per Two Night Taster.
Day 3 - An early morning start for the all day drive through the Baviaanskloof to the Kouga Dam. Spectacular scenery and local wildlife are the major attractions.
Day 4 - Departure
Seven Night Introduction to Fynbos Research
This option includes a mix of background theory and practical fieldwork where theory becomes reality. The tour is led by Alan Lee, who has years of experience in high-end volunteer tourism including Earthwatch Institute's Macaws of the Peruvian Amazon, Biosphere Expeditions Icons of the Peruvian Amazon, and Project Fauna Forever. Information produced feeds directly into the reserve management program. Participants should be able bodied and capable of hiking for 2 - 3 hour periods.
Day 1 - Transfer
Day 2 - An overview of Klein Karoo ecology, mountain fynbos and its wildlife
Day 3 - Baviaanskloof, its wildlife and its people
Day 4 - Large mammal monitoring techniques
Day 5 - Bird monitoring and citizen science
Day 6 - Plant identification workshop
Day 7 - Snakes, spiders and scorpions
Day 8 - Departure
A detailed itinerary is available on request.