Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat

Western Cape, South Africa

Overview

Welcome to South Africa's dramatic Western Cape: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, a wilderness oasis that is at once indulgent, immersive, and insightful.

Guests are treated to five-star accommodations within a vast private reserve, allowing easy access to wide-open plains, awe-inspiring wildlife, and the rugged Cederberg Mountains. Experienced local guides open guests’ eyes to the ancient San culture of this landscape, home to more than 130 rock art sites, some dating back as far as 10,000 years. A variety of accommodation choices are available, including 14 spacious rooms, two elegant suites, and two fully inclusive villas, set privately amidst indigenous gardens - all with handpicked art, decor, and antiques that reflect South African heritage. After a day of exciting game drives, hikes to cascading waterfalls, or even driving the West Coast wine route, guests gather at tables by the Boontjies River at Makana, in the cozy Homestead lounge, or for private dining in the Kadoro, a restored shepherd’s house within the reserve.

Insider Guide

Closest Airport

Cape Town (CPT) (143 miles / 2.5 hour drive)

Number of Rooms

14 rooms and 2 suites, plus Cederberg House and Koro Lodge

The Restaurants

The Homestead
Kadoro
Embers – Dining Under the Stars
Makana for High Tea
The River Boma Dining Experience

Amenities and Facilities

Family Friendly
Fitness Room
Laundry
Private Dining
Spa
Swimming Pool - Outdoor
WIFI
Daily Nature Excursions
Foraging Experiences
Library
Wine Cellar
Picnics
Croquet
Biking
Canoeing
Archery
All Inclusive Dining
Complimentary In-Room Minibar for Soft Drinks
Children 8+ Welcome, Private Villa available for families with no agre restriction

Rebecca Recommends Secrets

This ecological oasis is set within a 7,500-hectare private reserve and is home to a diversity of wildlife, and part of the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site.

Cape Leopards, once near-extinct in number, are now thriving within their natural ecosystem in the areas around Bushmans Kloof. Bushmans Kloof is immensely proud to partner with the Cape Leopard Trust in a shared commitment to Leopard ecology and sustainability in the area.

Together with The TreadRight Foundation, Bushmans Kloof has also partnered with two leading active conservation organizations: Cheetah Outreach (specifically the Cheetah Outreach Trust) and The Cape Leopard Trust. Anatolian Shepherd dogs have been introduced to Bushmans Kloof as livestock guardian dogs (LGDs).

Combination Stay/Why Visit?

Discover all three of the beautiful Red Carnation Hotel Collection Africa hotels: The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town, The Oyster Box in Umhlanga, and Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat in Western Cape. Stays can include exceptional experiences such as sunrise hot-air balloon rides, stargazing, helicopter transfers, and exceptional private dining.

How We Travel for Good

At Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, The Oyster Box and The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, sustainability is embedded in our approach to hospitality, balancing exceptional guest experiences with responsible environmental and social practices.

Our commitment focuses on reducing environmental impact, supporting local communities, protecting biodiversity, and celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of Southern Africa. Across our properties, we prioritise responsible sourcing, waste reduction initiatives, resource conservation, and meaningful community engagement.

All three properties hold EarthCheck Silver Certification, recognising our commitment to environmental and social responsibility through independently verified assessment and continuous improvement.

Conservation is a particularly important focus at Bushmans Kloof. Located within the Cape Floral Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and recognised as a South African National Heritage Site, the reserve is a custodian of more than 130 ancient San rock art sites. Through partnerships with organisations including the Cape Leopard Trust, alongside initiatives supporting the Clanwilliam cedar tree, indigenous wildlife and habitat restoration, Bushmans Kloof plays an active role in protecting the region’s unique biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Across the collection, we also support wider conservation and community initiatives, including Rhino conservation efforts and responsible tourism programmes that create positive impacts for local communities. Through meaningful guest experiences, we encourage a deeper appreciation of the landscapes, wildlife and cultures that make Southern Africa unique.

Through measurable actions, strategic partnerships and responsible hospitality practices, we remain committed to creating a positive impact for our guests, colleagues, communities and the environment.