pleasure. At the end of a bumpy 10km dirt
track through barren wilderness, an optical
illusion wondrously rises out of the hazy
horizon. It is a marvel of welcome luxury.
Entirely ensconced in raw rugged nature, this
paradisiacal sanctuary is a refuge in which to
retreat, particularly after exerting activities
such as bouldering, hiking, climbing and game
drives. Driven by a philosophy of wellbeing,
the Bushmans Kloof raison d’etre is to indulge
guests in the best of both: the awesome
surroundings and transformational relaxation.
The Zen is instantaneous. I’m led back to my
private villa set at the foot of the river, amidst
untamed and uninterrupted wilderness. From
every room, it’s a panorama of stony sandstone
turrets, sedimented over aeons, piercing the
greens and blues with splashes of rose-red. The
pieces de resistances are my private outdoor
pool for afternoon refreshment in searing heat,
outdoor terraces for al fresco morning coffee
and the sumptuously-appointed living room
replete with board games, library, DVDs and
log fire. After a light lunch of crispy crunchy
salads, vegetables and hearty quiche and
homemade cake, it’s off for a snooze by my
private pool before checking into the spa.
Rugged recharge
The luxury here is in the intimacy, enhanced
by the magnitude and audacity of the
Cederberg’s bold surroundings. But where
Bushmans Kloof excels is to maximise on the
outdoor magnificence. I’m led proverbially
down the garden path to a designer Balinese
cabana. Raised on stilts, the Riverside Gazebos
are hidden and carved into the natural
phenomenon of rock and river. Open-fronted,
they echo nature’s best. My four-hands
aromatherapy massage has me floating into
the African landscape. Such is the restorative
power of nature in this ancient setting, as old
as life on earth. I find the history intriguing
and energising. As I lay in recovery on the
raised wooden decking, flanked by Buddhas
390
and incense, hugged by the magnetic
greenery and kissed by the gentle rippling
of the river below, I allow the healing power
of nature to soothe away the daily debris of
life. Recharging directly from sounds of the
surroundings and the harmony of wildlife and
environment, induces total peace. I realise that
nature is the best source of rejuvenation.
Dine in the divine
But the best is about to come. By dusk, I’m
whisked onto a safari Jeep, under a tangle of
stars, crystalline moonlight and that distinct
night-chill, through 10kms of nightlife, in
the form of wary Kudu and scuttling Cape
Hare, to a glowing halo in the distance. As
I’m escorted closer, a blaze of candlelight
and roaring log fires stir the pristine natural
serenity and remoteness. Kadoro is an isolated
innkeeper’s lodge on the fringes of Bushmans
Kloof reserve. Hundreds of candles dazzle
in a heart-warming outpouring of light. A
private chef and butler welcome me in for
the evening, pouring a glass of full-bodied
South African red by the outdoor fire under
the glistening stars, who appear to be in on
the act and starring in their role perfectly.
Inside, the renovated wooden timber lodge
is illuminated in candlelight and a roaring log
fire, by which a table is set in the epitome of
romance. My husband turns to me in disbelief.
He’s fittingly as moved as I am. We’re seated
to a memorable private meal with flowing red
wine and the warmest of service. If he hadn’t
already once proposed in spectacular fashion,
I’d have dreamed this to be it, simply the most
romantic setting for a private dinner.
Effortless charm of Cape
Town
Cape Town is a scenic 3-hour drive away,
making Bushmans Kloof a perfect weekend
escape for locals. As if they needed one. Cape
Town is one of the best cities in the world and
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