Ancient wonders still thrill modern adventure-seekers

The history of the San, South Africa’s earliest inhabitants and their impact on the contemporary narrative, still manages to evoke awe and wonder. No less so, than in the Cederberg area, where these ancient people roamed during the Later Stone Age and today are recognised as one of the oldest civilisations of mankind.

The Cederberg region is a living testament to the people that traversed the area thousands of years ago. Dedicated to preserving the cultural history of this ancient land, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat just outside Clanwilliam on the Cape West Coast has been blessed in this regard. In this retreat of timeless serenity and beauty, guests can also discover the cradle of mankind. Paintings and relics discovered in the abandoned cave dwellings dotted throughout the reserve offer insights into a world so different to our own, that in our efforts to make sense of it, have become the stuff of countless movies and books.

A repository of over 130 remarkable, ancient Bushman rock art sites, many over 10 000 years old located under overhanging cliffs and in rocky shelters, have been meticulously preserved and recorded, making them some of the finest examples of rock painting in all of South Africa. Trained guides and a dedicated Rock-art Curator, conduct daily rock-art walks, providing visitors with interpretations that offer insight, and a deeper understanding of these rare archaeological sites, as well as of the people who left them.

The Bushmans Kloof Heritage Centre offers further information about the history and lives of the San people, through artefacts and images, which include the famous Rudner Collection as well as a portfolio of exceptional photographs depicting scenes of the daily activities of the Bushmen, by renowned wildlife photographer Michael Poliza,  The adjacent medical herb garden, grows many of the fascinating medicinal plants used by the San throughout the ages. Find out more about the conservation efforts and special events and activities at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat

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