3rd Educational Day in the Oudtshoorn Area

After a wonderful breakfast at Nyaru Game Lodge we set off with Jauckie, our Tourist Guide on our way to Oudtshoorn, via the Robertson Pass from Mossel Bay. About 30 kilometers from Mossel Bay we picked up David van Niekerk who was going to be our Tour Guide to "The Hell".

We stopped at Oudtshoorn which is situated in the Klein Karoo, to pick up some supplies for our trip over the Swartbeg Pass. About 19 Kilometers before Prince Albert we turned-off for our descent into "The Hell". The Swartberg Pass was completed in 1886-1887 from North to South. 2,7km from the summit you get the turn-off to Gamkakloof, also known as "Die Hel". (This is a daunting road of 57km and is not recommended unless you are determined to explore more deeply into the mountains.)

The drive down into the valley takes approximately 2hr.35min. as you wind your way down. The last 2 .5km you drop over 835metres, to enter this Garden of Eden via the Elandspass. Here there is fruit in abundance, which was sundried and taken out of the valley by traders.To-day they are still producing sundried fruits which are sold in Woolworths and other super markets.

For many, many years these farmers had no facilities such as Doctors (who had to fly in from Oudtshoorn) or modern technology. They were literally cut off from the outside world.

The first families settled here in 1830. They entered the area on donkeys and used the "ladder" route which is still to-day situated on the farm Kleinberg, which the livestock inspectors and traders used as access to the Kloof before completion of Elandspass in 1962. The whole area used to be home of the San and Khoi - there are various rock paintings in the caves to remind one of these people.

The entire Valley was declared a National Monument in 1997 and was restored to its original design.

After arriving in the Hel, which does not have Hotels, Supermarkets or the corner cafe, we made a braai in the picnic area.

It was so tranquil and beautiful. All the families who lived there many years ago, have moved away except for the original one.

We were honoured to meet Annetjie Joubert who still owns the house and land that belonged to her great, great Grand Parents.

She now a days has a small shop where she sells preserves, sun-dried fruit, and serves a light lunch in a Lapa. She has electricity and the only telephone in the area. The old school house and various old homes have been taken over by Nature Conservation and is now available for week-end over-night stays or longer. They are now Self-catering cottages. You have gas or lamp light, no electricity. Through this little valley is a small stream which provided the farmers with water for their crops of fruit and vegetables,. known as the Gamka River which has its source in this valley. The valley is well known for its figs, apricots, cherries (in Wit Blits) and of course for their mampoer (distilled brandy made from the fruit in the Valley) plus wheat. For

more information on this wonderful jewel in the heart of the Klein Karoo

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After leaving "The Hel" just before dark we made our way to Prince Albert to sleep over at Weltevrede Guest Farm. More about this small town hidden in the Klein Karoo with many surprises, in our next post.