BALIE'S GAT

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Experience the great outdoors with all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay away from the eveyday hustle and bustle.

History

The history of Balie’sGat starts when a surveyor by the name of Byley came across the deep and remote valley in the southern Cederberg in 1885. Over time the Afrikaans speaking families that settled on this patchwork of fertile farms referred to it as Balie’s Gat. After the Hanekom family originally owned the land, it was divided into two farms in 1915, one for Piet Esterhuysen and the other for Carel Nieuwoudt.
Around this time, one of Carel Nieuwoudt daughters married a Bothma, four generations later his great grandson Marius Bothma still farms here. The farmers have vegetable and fruit crops and fruit trees that keep them busy throughout the year. In the summer there are the oranges as well as peaches and pears, most of which are dried using traditional methods to retain their sweetness. Various of onion seeds, watermelons, cabbages pumpkins and squash are regularly planted, and a flock of dorper sheep roam in the fields.
The road to the valley runs through the farm Tandfontein on the plains of the Koue Bokkeveld and then precariously winds its way down to the valley floor. A track was originally built for ox-wagon in 1945. It took the farmers seven winters to build the road with pick and shovel until they had use of a drilling machine and dynamite. After it was widened, Johannes Kershoff was the first person to drive the road down in December 1950, and in 1951 it was opened for the public and named The Piet Esterhuysen Road.
Tourists are slowly discovering this epic road and the valley. Marius first started working on the campsite in 2002 and it was used by family and friends until 2013. finally In 2014 we opened the 4 campsites it to the public and in 2017 we added 2 romantic self-catering log cabins. We have 4 campsites, 2 romantic self catering log cabins and 2 luxury tented camps.
Next to a stream, and under some blue-gum trees and in between large rocks, you are intimate with pristine nature. Here are spectacular walks up the many kloofs which few people have ever seen. You can enjoy homemade products made in the valley with passion and love by “Babsie se Kombuis” and the most succulent dried fruit made by Marius himself.
A visit to this valley will restore song in your heart and you’ll drive the long bumpy road out the valley with peace in your mind.

About Us

For an unforgettable breakaway, visit our remote valley and in deep nature, recharge your body, soul and mind.

For those who love hiking, trail-running and mountain-biking, there are many paths and trails.

For those you like relaxing and unwinding, come and sit in the shade on the grass and read and swim and absorb the sights of the rock formations and sounds of the birds and bees.

For night-owls, there is spectacular star gazing.

Most importantly, for everyone there is the resonating silence of nature and also lots of space to have a lovely time with your family and friends.

We also offer catering services for group bookings.

Please Take Note

Before embarking on your trip, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the guidelines set in place to ensure a successful journey.

• We can only be reached with a high-ground clearance vehicle.
• When making use of any sort of Trailer or Off-Road Caravan a 4×4 Vehicle is essential.
• No electricity and no cell phone reception.
• We do not allow any day visitors.
• We require you to please take your trash with you on departure.
• Bring enough cash for your purchasers of wood, ice, dried fruit, homemade preservatives and fresh roosterkoeke.
• Right of admission is reserved.
• We only allow small dogs to smaller medium size dogs at our main campsite and private campsites but not at any of our self catering units (Wooden Cabins and Secluded Tents)
• We offer a transfer service for guest that book one of our self catering units from the top of the mountain into the valley to your accommodation.

Main Camps – Campsites

Boesmansklip.1

Boesmansklip
(sleeps 10+ people)

Boesmansklip is our largest campsite with lots of shade under the blue-gum trees.

With its own braai area, firepit, water tap and dishwashing stand with a bucket and drying rack.

Private ablution, outdoor hot water shower, 2 toilets and indoor hot water shower with Solar Panel lights.

Bushman paintings can be found on the rock at the campsite.

Can accommodate 2 to 5 camping rigs / 10 Adults
(all depending on the size of your offroad caravan, trailer and/or tent)

Kransklip.1

Kransklip
(SLEEPS 6+ people)

Kransklip is our second campsite with lots of shade under the blue-gum trees.

With its own braai area, firepit, water tap and dishwashing stand with a bucket and drying rack.

Private ablution, outdoor hot water shower and a toilet with Solar Panel lights.

Can accommodate 2 to 3 camping rigs / 6 Adults
(all depending on the size of your offroad caravan, trailer and/or tent)

Rietdakkie.2

Rietdakkie
(SLEEPS 6+ people)

Rietdakkie is our smallest campsite with shade under the blue-gum trees.

With its own braai area, firepit, water tap and dishwashing stand with a bucket and drying rack.

Private ablution, outdoor hot water shower and a toilet with Solar Panel lights.

Can accommodate 2-3 camping rigs / 6 Adults
(all depending on the size of your offroad caravan, trailer and/or tent)

Baliekamp 1.1

Baliekamp 1
(SLEEPS 6+ people)

Baliekamp 1 is a medium campsite with a 3 x 6m thatched gazebo, a few medium size Ash trees for shade and afternoon shade from the blue-gum trees.

With its own braai area, firepit, and dishwashing stand with a bucket and drying rack.

Disabled friendly private ablution with solar panel lights and hot water for the shower.

The water tap is shared with Baliekamp 2.

Can accommodate 3 or 4 camping rigs / 6 Adults
(all depending on the size of your offroad caravan, trailer and/or tent)

Baliekamp 2.1

Baliekamp 2
(SLEEPS 6+ people)

Baliekamp 2 is a medium campsite with a 3 x 6m thatched gazebo and a few medium size Ash trees for shade.

With its own braai area, firepit, and dishwashing stand with a bucket and drying rack.

Disabled friendly private ablution with solar panel lights and hot water for the shower.

The water tap is shared with Baliekamp 1.

Can accommodate 3 or 4 camping rigs / 6 Adults
(all depending on the size of your offroad caravan, trailer and/or tent)

Private Camps – Campsites

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Ribbok

Unfortunately Ribbok is still under development but will be open to the public soon. Please watch this space.

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Arend

Unfortunately Arend is still under development but will be open to the public soon. Please watch this space.

Secluded Tents – Self catering

Please remember to bring the following for your stay at the wooden cabins:

– Camping chairs
– Black pot for “potjie” kos
– Body wash and shampoo
– Binoculars

Unfortunately no dogs allowed at the secluded tents.

Oupa Carl 13

Oupa Carl
(SLEEPS 4 People)
(1 queen size and 2 single beds)

Oupa Carl is one of our secluded luxury tented camps located in a remote kloof surrounded by dramatic rock formations.
With spectacular views in pristine fynbos and a little stream running besides ancient waboom tree.
Oupa Carl also have access to a private waterfall rock pool a short 300m hike from the tent.
Perfect for families who wish to enjoy the authentic Cederberge.
The tents offer very comfortable accommodation with good beds and linen, vintage crockery and Cape furniture.
There is a gas stove and fridge/freezer, solar lighting and gas geyser for an indoor shower and an outside starlight bath

Oupa Tienie 1

Oupa Tienie
(SLEEPS 4 People)
(1 queen size and 2 single beds)

Oupa Tienie is one of our secluded luxury tented camps located in a remote kloof surrounded by dramatic rock formations.
With spectacular views in pristine fynbos and a little stream running besides ancient waboom tree.
Perfect for families who wish to enjoy the authentic Cederberge.
The tents offer very comfortable accommodation with good beds and linen, vintage crockery and Cape furniture.
There is a gas stove and fridge/freezer, solar lighting and gas geyser for an indoor shower and an outside starlight bath.

Wooden Cabins – Self catering

Please remember to bring the following for your stay at the wooden cabins:

– Camping chairs
– Gazebo for shade
– Black pot for “potjie” kos
– Body wash and shampoo
– Binoculars

Unfortunately no dogs allowed at the wooden cabins.

Klipbokkie.6

Klipbokkie
(SLeeps 2-4 People)

Klipbokkie is perfect for a couple’s romantic getaway with Mountains surrounding the cabin facing East with lovely green grass.
There is only a double bed with bedding.
The kitchen is fully equipped with basic cutlery and crockery, pots, pans and kettle, a 2 plate gas stove and small gas fridge/freezer.
Has its own ablution and the towels are supplied.
There is a braai drum with braai grid as well.
Solar electricity – only for the lights and the fridge.

There is an option of setting up a small tent (your own tent) with a floor area of approximately 4 x 2.6m for two extra people or teenagers underneath a 3 x 3m thatched gazebo.

Grysbokkie.3

Grysbokkie
(SLeeps 2-4 People)

Grysbokkie is perfect for a couple’s romantic getaway with Mountains surrounding the cabin facing North with lovely green grass.
There is only a double bed with bedding.
The kitchen is fully equipped with basic cutlery and crockery, pots, pans and kettle, a 2 plate gas stove and small gas fridge/freezer.
Has its own ablution and the towels are supplied.
There is a braai drum with braai grid as well.
Solar electricity – only for the lights and the fridge.

There is an option of setting up a small tent (your own tent) with a floor area of approximately 4 x 2.6m for two extra people or teenagers underneath a 3 x 3m thatched gazebo.