A Hidden Paradise ….

It is impossible to describe the uniqueness of the Baviaanskloof. It is a hidden paradise, a landscape of contrasts. In this unspoiled, rugged mountainous terrain, lies Duiwekloof.

The absolute tranquility of the early morning is broken only by the echoes of the dove’s lovely call, hence “Valley of the Doves”. An article that featured in the Weg(Go) magazine, referred to

Baviaanskloof as the land of Psalm 23. The Getaway magazine referred to it as a place so special, that once you have been, you will be left with a lifelong yearning to return.  The area offers a wide range of eco-recreational opportunities and unique wilderness experiences.

You can walk kilometers without seeing another human being.  The area is characterised by extreme, diverse landscapes.  The kloofs, waterfalls and rivers bring you to the realization that you are in wild country.

About us

Duiwekloof is a little piece of paradise in the heart of the Baviaanskloof in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. We offer comfortable accommodation for couples, families, or groups of friends in bed and breakfast or self-catering accommodation. There are plenty of outdoor activities including walking and cycling trails, or you can just relax away from the noise and bustle of the city and breathe in the fresh country air.

It is impossible to describe the uniqueness of the Baviaanskloof. It is a hidden paradise, a landscape of contrasts.

In this unspoiled, rugged mountainous terrain, lies Duiwekloof. The absolute tranquillity of the early morning is broken only by the echoes of the dove’s lovely call, hence “Valley of the Doves”.

An article that featured in the Weg magazine, referred to Baviaanskloof as the land of Psalm 23 . The Getaway magazine referred to it as a place so special, that once you have been, you will be left with a lifelong yearning to return.

The area offers a wide range of eco-recreational opportunities and unique wilderness experiences. You can walk kilometres without seeing another human being. The area is characterized by extreme, diverse landscapes. The kloofs, waterfalls and rivers bring you to the realization that you are in wild country.

Pertinent Information:

• NO 220V point available in any unit, only an EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL POINT in the Lapa please request assistance from the manager, Austin!
• Arrival time: 14h00
• Departure time: 10h00
• A refundable R200 deposit payable on arrival please!
• Pets allowed by prior arrangement through management.
• Day Visitors to explore our hikes (rates to be confirmed by management)
• Laundry Service @ R100 per load. Only Duiwekloof staff allowed to operate the washing machine at all times!
• Please note that appliances such as microwave, hair dryer, toaster etc….cannot be used!

WIFI @ Duiwekloof:

Limited WiFi is available @ R100.00 per device/per day to a maximum of R250.00 per day for multiple devices. Please note this is not a broadband service and should only be used for personal communication. As WiFi is the lodge’s only means of communication, it is necessary for the manager to enter the password on each device.

Admin Fee:

• R55.00 once off per reservation

Accommodation

The Lodge

The lodge offers four luxurious, fully self catering rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Warm bedding and soft towels will make you feel at home. Each room has a kitchenette with stove, fridge / freezer and necessary crockery.

The large under roof entertainment area is attached to the lodge and a few metres walk from each room. It offers two large braai areas, a pool table, dart board and ablution facilities. Menu and limited beverage selection available. Wood and Ice also available at the lapa.

Our water comes directly from the mountain stream 3 km up the kloof. It goes through a 5 micron filter and is completely safe to drink. All fixed heating and lighting at Duiwekloof makes use of solar and gas. The lodge has a magnificent view of the kloof. From the boma, klipspringers and other wildlife can be sited on the rock faces.

• Black Eagle: max 2 adults & 2 children
• Fish Eagle: max 2 adults
• Cape Vulture: max 2 adults & 2 children
• Bateleur: max 3 pax

Rates:

Rates valid from September 2024 until October 2025

Blouduiker Cottage

The cottage has two double bunks and one double bed making it a six-sleeper. This secluded venue is an ideal stopover for couples or families hiking and biking through the kloof.  A minimum of four guests is required for a booking.

Rates:

Leopard Cavern

The spectacular Leopard’s Cavern is a must for those couples who are perpetually in love. The luxurious, spacious cavern makes optimal use of the natural beauty of the rocky backdrop and contrasts it perfectly with wood and glass. The quiet seclusion provides a perfect getaway for that special occasion.

Rates:

Campsites

Duiwekloof offers six(6) spacious campsites with braai facilities as well as hot and cold water ablution facilities. We also have the facility of an electrical point at every camping site. Camp in one of the most spectacular settings in South Africa and enjoy the tranquility and the sounds of bird and wildlife.

Rates:

Activities

At Duiwekloof you are welcome to enjoy yourself as you will. Our only rule is that neither the natural environment nor other guests should be disturbed which, we are sure, is the way you would wish it.

The Lapa Entertainment Area

The entertainment area is spacious and comfortable with tables and chairs where one can sit down to rest and enjoy the view onto the rock faces. The two braai areas are large enough to make a good fire and provide a cosy atmosphere to the room. the pool table, table tennis & soccer will provide hours of fun and entertainment while the fire wood burns to coals to prepare a scrumptious meal.

The Decks

There are 3 leisure decks close to the lodge, all offering spectacular views up the kloof …. 

Sundowner Deck

A popular braai facility with bench seating.

Reading Deck

A secluded, shaded area for a date with a good book

Games Deck

This is were young and old can have some fun. Playing a game of chess or play a game of darts

The Swimming Hole

Close to the lodge is a beautiful, natural swimming hole supplied with water from the mountain. The pool has a natural rock bottom, really something special and a must in the summer heat!

For the Kids

An adventure playground with jungle gym and Land Rover sand pit will provide hours of entertainment. An impromptu cricket pitch tends to appear in the parking area whenever children are at the lodge. The swimming hole and facilities in the lapa remain popular with the kids.

Walks/Trails

Guests are welcome to explore the kloof at their leisure. There are four designated walks which can be undertaken with or without a guide. The walk to the Bushman paintings is strictly guided. To avoid injury, guests are advised to stay on the paths as the ground is often loose underfoot.

There are four walking routes from the lodge:

The Leopard Trail

This trail starts at the third campsite and leads up to the ridge above the cavern and Blouduiker cottage. After the initial climb, there is a small clearing with a comfortable bench and a panoramic view of the lodge and camping area below. Along the ridge the Tee-box for the par 3 is under construction and there is a view north and south of the valley. The route ends on the access road behind the cavern. Moderate 30 min.

The Source

Follows a track past an ancient Willowmore Cedar to the wilderness camp 800m from the lodge. Thereafter it winds through the towering cliffs along the dry river bed to the crack, a sand stone crevasse perpendicular to the valley course. Access to the water source is over ‘the neck’, a steep ridge bypassing the deep water pool at the entrance to the crack. Ropes make the walk over the ridge quite safe. The adventurous are welcome to explore further up the river, where several natural pools can be found. The marked walk is approx 6 km return and will take around 90 min.

The Bakkrans walk

Branches off from the track just before the wilderness camp. A stiff climb on a stepped pathway takes you up to a welcome seat on a ridge overlooking the lodge. The route then climbs upwards to the bakkrans or curved cliff, skirting a large overhang and then a rope assisted assent to the western plateau. Wonderful examples of the Cape floral kingdom succulents can be found in this section. The path runs along the edge of the cliff overlooking the lodge, offering magnificent view down the Baviaanskloof. On the western side of this plateau, a manganese composite rock formation makes a natural cave and a perfect spot for a picnic. The route then follows a disused 4×4 track off the mountain to a track leading to Duiwekloof ‘ s boundary gate on the main road. The walk leads back to the lodge following the main and access roads. Look out for the monkey head boulder on the opposite slope (looking back towards the lodge) at the start and the T Rex on the mountain opposite the Blouduiker cottage as you return. The walk is moderate, about 9 km and takes about 4 – 5 hours.

The Organ Caves

This route leads either to the Organ caves or to the neighbouring valley, Speekhout. The route starts behind the lodge, opposite the Bateleur suite and rapidly climbs the valley wall. A bench offers the opportunity to rest at the halfway mark. The saddle is a depression in the eastern plateau marked by a forest of tall aloe and magnificent views down the kloof. An ascending path branches to the left, and rewards the inquisitive with magnificent manganese conglomerate rock formations including flowstone, reminiscent of a giant church organ.

A little further on there is a small cave giving a natural outline to pictures taken from within and a perfect frame for a portrait taken from without. There is no maintained pathway on the Eastern plateau, but there are points of entry at the cave and the walkway. The entire trip return takes just under two hours and is moderate to hard. The choice remains to turn left to Speekhout or right back to the lodge. Speekhout is an arable valley and the walk out the entrance and along the main road to the Duiwekloof turnoff is pleasant. Add a further two hours and look out for the seven dwarves on the way. An extensive Bonsaido can be found at the dwelling on Speekhout and a tea garden is occasionally available.

Please note: the Speekhout route is not in part of Duiwekloof and the route and facilities may not be maintained or available.

Stargazing

People are awe-struck at the visibility of the milky way, many seeing it for the first time ever. Our distance from any big city and no pollution makes it the ideal place to lie on your back and gaze away at the billions of stars…

Game viewing

Kudu, Klipspringers and Rooibok have been regularly sighted and even black eagles occur in the area. There is also no shortage of the baboons for whom the Baviaanskloof was named. Game drives in the surrounding area is the perfect way to view wildlife.