Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat

This place was a real find. Located in a gorgeous setting with the Cederberg mountains in the background, it’s a great place for a couple of nights (we stayed 3 which felt the right amount of time).||Accommodation|We had a large suite, so can’t comment on the regular rooms, but the suite had everything you would expect including access to Netflix, so we could watch movies in the evenings. Loved the bathroom amenities and the little touches e.g. candles at turn down etc. the style is rustic farm house vibes. There are clusters of accommodation across the estate and they each have a lovely infinity pool, that said, all pools can be used. Note that they are not heated. ||Food & Drink|Food was consistently good, I didn’t like one of the meals at lunch, but that was down to personal taste. All food was included. Breakfast choices could be a bit more ‘international’ such as avocado on toast, but again, just a personal thing and the staff is happy for you to go off menu. They set up a special dinner in their garden for us one night, which had gorgeous lanterns everywhere — a lovely experience. ||Spa|We had different spa treatments, massage and facial. Both treatments were very good. Loved the facial and the Tata Harper products — also very well priced coming from London. ||Game drives |This is not the place for game drives, and was not the reason we came here, but they are on offer. You’ll see Zebras and a few other animals. It’s nice for the sundowner, but we only did it once. The rock art is interesting and worth seeing though.||Staff|We only had positive interactions throughout our stay. Everyone was helpful and welcoming, especially some of the service staff. Everyone seemed happy to be there. We loved the welcome iced tea, which I ended up ordering a few times.||Highlight|For us, the absolute highlight were the three trails around the property. The longest of the three is about 2h and feels like a real adventure. You climb up and down, go underneath rocks, etc. this particular trail is probably not for less confident folks, but anyone who’s up for an adventure will love it. They give you water, a radio and a backpack. Super cool and a must do.

This place is beautiful and everything is available for you to make your stay adventurous or peaceful. The spa staff was also great, very well trained and beautiful facility. We adored the entire outdoors for enjoying drinks and time with friends. Our guide, Zenobia Van Dyke, was so much fun. She has an extensive knowledge of birds, animals, habitats, cave paintings and Stars! She made this experience a 10 for us in every way. I must mention the food … amazing. My first time to try Ostrich steaks.. I’m hooked. The Vergelegen wine we had was wonderful too. The rooms luxurious and comfortable. I have nothing but praise for this lovely place!

OASIS IN THE WILDERNESS||Bushmanskloof is a gem. Service is excellent, friendly and helpful with attention to the smallest detail, from your welcome on arrival to your farewell|on departure.| Dining is a wonderful experience as the food is of the highest standard, tasty and well presented. Congratulations to the chef.|You are surrounded by a warm atmosphere and a very tasteful interior design. The collection of ceramics is particularly delightful.|Our guide Liam was most knowledgeable and a source of much information. |The picnic was a most pleasant experience.|As a big surprise we were spoilt with a private dinner in a fairytale atmosphere created by a crackling fire and a lot of candles.|A venue to be highly recommended.

Pros & Cons of Bushmans Kloof||Pros:| • Spectacular Setting: Nestled in the Cederberg, the landscape is breathtaking and perfect for relaxation.| • Excellent Service: The staff are warm, attentive, and go out of their way to make your stay special.| • Hiking: loved the hike with the waterfall. Wasn’t expecting much but it was divine definitely must do if you hike approx. 6km with a swim. | • All inclusive Food: High-quality meals with great presentation and you don’t have to think. | • Peaceful & Remote: A perfect escape from city life, offering tranquility and immersion in nature.||Cons:| • Rooms Need an Update: Some areas of the resort are starting to feel a little tired and could benefit from refurbishment.| • Remote Location: While part of its charm, the long journey to get there may not suit everyone.| • Pricey: Given the slightly dated feel, the cost might not feel entirely justified for some guests.|Some drinks and wine are very expensive. ||Overall:|A wonderful experience with incredible nature, service, and activities, though the resort could use a refresh to maintain its high-end reputation.

What a wonderful place! What a wonderful stay! We came by car from Hermanus and were given a warm and friendly welcome upon arrival. As we had opted for the most luxurious suite on the premises (with our own splash pool!), our expectations were sky high. The suite itself was huge and very well equipped. The sun deck and the pool soon became our favourite. Food was excellent throughout our stay. And the staff too! We participated in several activities, all well prepared and interesting. Our guide Byron was super. My wife went fishing one day and caught two! I went off road biking on the nearby trials. And: We could move anywhere as there are no predators on the vast estate. Bushmans Kloof is pricy, but you get real value for money. Highly recommended and we hope to be back.|Per

We had two wonderful days here. The setting is breathtaking with amazing views of mountain ranges and fynbos. You have a guide allocated to each set of guests l, and Abigail was knowledgeable and charming. Nothing was too much hassle. We looked at the cave art and saw many zebra , emus, deer etc in our safaris. ||The service was fabulous and the food excellent. We had drinks in the garden on the second night which was lovely. We stayed at Rivers Edge, and the two rooms were well appointed with comfortable beds, pillows, sheets etc. the bathroom was lovely with a bath as well as a shower. The rooms aren’t huge, but are lively, with great views over the lake. At night you see hartebeasts coming through the lodge, as well as baboons, and a few other animals. The bird life is fantastic. ||The lodge is run so well, with friendly management and fabulous staff. It is an area of great beauty and is very special. Well worth a visit. The swimming pools are a bit small, so doing proper lengths is tricky, which is a shame. But not enough to pit us off returning, and we’d recommend it to others

There is a great sense of serenity and quiet luxury. But this is perhaps not the right place for thrill seekers such as you find in some of the "Big Five" game lodges. Nevertheless, the morning drives to visit rock art sites (each day a different one) and evening drives (you'll see some game if you are lucky) provide some moderate activity, which anyone can supplement with walks, cycling, etc. The decor is tasteful; food is great and varied; and the spa services are good.|We experienced an unpleasant incident when our expensive binoculars dissapeared (most probably lifted by a hotel guest), but Red Carnation immediately and generously offered to reimburse us - that was impressive.

I want to say a huge thank you to all the staff at this lovely hotel 🥰 This place has truly become my second favourite place in the world, just after my home country. 😉 If I ever get the chance, I’ll definitely come back. Since my visit, I’ve been telling everyone they should go. If you’re reading this and looking for somewhere to stay in South Africa, just book it! You honestly won’t regret a single moment 💫 At first, you might think the hotel is in the middle of nowhere and wonder what you’ll do there. But trust me, there’s so much to enjoy, all in the most peaceful and relaxing way 🌿 It’s perfect for a romantic getaway, a family holiday, especially if you have children and aren’t sure about going on a full safari. It’s also ideal if you just need a break from the busy world or want to give yourself a little reward. The hotel is full board, and from the moment you arrive, the manager will give you a lovely tour of all the spaces. You’ll also have your own guide throughout your stay. I stayed for three nights and honestly, my only regret was not booking a full week. Before coming here, I stayed at their sister hotel in Cape Town and then drove around three hours to reach this one. I stayed in a beautifully decorated two-bedroom villa 🏡 There are two places to dine, a cosy little bar, and three swimming pools. There are also so many quiet spots where you can sit comfortably and just enjoy the view 🌅 Now let’s talk about the food... it’s not just good, it’s amazing 😋 Every dish is so creative and full of flavour. I would return just for the food alone. They serve a wonderful mix of local and international dishes, and everything is done with care and style. As for activities, our guide Tristan was incredible. He was knowledgeable, always willing to share, and so kind and friendly. We went to see ancient rock art, did a bit of fishing, and enjoyed magical stargazing 🌌 You can also go hiking or cycling alongside animals, which was such a special experience 🦓🚲 This place is truly magical and one of the most memorable stays I’ve ever had. Can’t wait to come back someday ❤️