Blue Hill Escape Nature Reserve lies to the west of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area and shares two borders with the reserve. Its nearest towns are Uniondale in the Western Cape and Willowmore in the Eastern Cape.
Accommodation:
Blue Hill Escape offers self-catering accommodation on a 2300 hectare nature reserve, in the Kouga Mountains in the Western Cape. The property lies to the west of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area and shares two borders with the reserve. Breakfast and dinner are served on request in the owner’s family home, booking essential.
Swartberg flat is a newly thatched flat offering first floor accommodation with views north towards the Swartberg Mountains. The double bedroom is large and bright, with easy access to the comfortable lounge area and kitchen facilities. The modern bathroom with a shower and a bath has a view of Bloukop Mountain and the nearby sand-olive slopes. Braai (barbeque) facilities are available in the communal garden. The flat is near the owner´s house and ideal for those wishing to book a meal. Swartberg comfortably sleeps two adults, a third adult or up to two children can be accommodated on the sleeper couch in the lounge. There is only a room divider between bedroom and lounge.
Baviaans Cottage is perfect for those who want to get away from it all. It is far from all the other buildings and electricity hasn’t been laid on, gas lamps, candles and stars light up the darkness. A gas stove, fridge, and geyser offer all the modern comfort you need. There is a double bedroom, lounge with fireplace for cold nights, as well as a kitchen and a bathroom with a shower. Braai (barbeque) facilities are available on the private veranda. Baviaans Cottage comfortably sleeps two adults; a third adult or a child can be accommodated on the extra single bed in the lounge.
Activities and facilities:
Activities on the property and in the surrounding area include hiking, bird-watching and mountain biking, provided you bring your own bicycle.
Blue Hill Escape forms part of the Cape Floral Kindom, the smallest of the six floral kingdoms of the world. The majority of its plant species are endemic, occurring in a restricted area and nowhere else in the world. So if you would like to see something truly South African, this is it! The characteristic vegetation of the Cape Floral Kingdom is called fynbos and includes the proteas which put on a stunning show when in flower.
This area is also famous for its endemic birdlife. Some of the more beautiful birds associated with fynbos include sugarbirds and sunbirds which you can see here in great numbers at certain times of the year. We will be happy to assist any birdwatcher, and also offer expert-led bird-watching tours.
Blue Hill Escape is home to a variety of other wildlife – including the elusive cape leopard, various antelope, dassies and baboons – some of which you will be able to see on a walk.
This is a great spot for any non-intrusive nature-based activity, such as hiking, mountain biking, bird-watching and photography. Visit caves with bushman paintings or just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
This is a list of the special birds of the Baviaans area (including Baviaanskloof, Willowmore, Steytlerville and Rietbron):The Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area that lies between Willowmore and Patensie has an impressive bird list, including a variety of South African endemics:Fynbos specials include Cape Siskin, Cape Sugarbird, Victorin’s Scrub-Warbler, Protea Seed-eater, Orange-breasted Sunbird and Cape Rockjumper. Forest specials include Knysna Woodpecker, Knysna Warbler, Knysna Turaco, Olive Bush-Shrike and Narina Trogon. In the arid areas around Willowmore, Steytlerville and Rietbron a number of Karoo specials can be found. These include Layard’s Tit-Babbler, Namaqua Warbler, Rufous-eared Warbler, Denham’s Bustard, Ludwig’s Bustard, Kori Bustard, Karoo Korhan, Southern Black Korhaan, Secretary Bird and Blue Crane. Other Southern African endemics found in the Baviaans area include Ground Woodpecker, Cape Rockthrush, Cape Grassbird, Southern double-collared Sunbird, Greater double-collared Sunbird, Cape Bulbul and Hottentot Buttonquail. Some of the special raptors include Verreaux’s Eagle, Booted Eagle and Black Harrier. |
