Bushmans Kloof is a conservation success story, a privately owned reserve dedicated to the preservation of rock art and the re-creation of a Western Cape sanctuary for indigenous flora and fauna.

Bushmans Koof was established In 1991 when the previous owners, Bill and Mark McAdam, purchased 7,500 hectares of overgrazed and severely neglected land in the foothills of the Cederberg (later adding another 800 hectares to increase the size of the property to the current 8,300 hectares). They restored Bushmans Kloof into a thriving wilderness area, which today nurtures priceless wildlife, protects the history, heritage and culture of the San, and secures the future of the unique botanical diversity of the region.

They developed the land, resuscitated the veld, and in consultation with wildlife and botanical experts, implemented a long-term veld management programme. Indigenous game was introduced, including rare and endangered species such as the Cape mountain zebra, the Cape clawless otter and the Clanwilliam yellow fish.

In 1996, Bushmans Kloof was opened to the public  and in 2000 was accredited by membership to the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association.

In July 2003 it received world acclaim for the first time when the USA’s leading travel glossy magazine ‘Travel and Leisure’, voted Bushmans Kloof as one of the Top 25 Eco Lodges in the world.

It also received another important international accolade this year, when it was voted as one of the coveted Grand Award Winners for 2004, in the USA's Andrew Harper's Hideaways Report.

On 31 January 2004, the Private Tollman Family Trust acquired the property.  The Tollman family is renowned hoteliers who operate several Red Carnation boutique hotels in London, Europe and the US.  In 2002 they acquired the Oudekraal Hotel and have substantially upgraded and renamed it – The Twelve Apostles Hotel. They have also in recent years acquired and developed the wine farm Bouchard Finlayson in Hermanus.

It is an oasis – a haven surrounded by water, shade, rolling lawns and indigenous gardens that provides a unique wilderness experience in an awesome setting.

In July 2004 the United Nations World Heritage Committee has recognized the Cape Floral Region as a WORLD HERITAGE SITE of which Bushmans Kloof borders and is proudly part of.

In the quest for perfection, the owners and management of Bushmans Kloof are constantly looking at means to refine and polish the product.   These efforts were rewarded in August 2004 when Bushmans Kloof was voted the 5th Top Hotel in the World, by the US 'Travel and Leisure' magazine.

With continuous capital investments the Bushmans Kloof product is constantly re-inventing itself, facilities are improved, and value-added to the guest experience. With the current 32 beds set as a maximum, the lodge is not only economically viable, but Bushmans Kloof is guaranteed to retain its exclusivity and intimacy.

The sense of commitment displayed by the staff of Bushmans Kloof has always been one of its greatest assets, and some of its people have been there since the lodge was first opened. Together they have laboured, grown, and matured with the product, as the true pioneers of Bushmans Kloof.

Bushmans Kloof has had a positive impact on the surrounding farming communities and as such has created a number of jobs and opportunities for the people of the historic village of Wupperthal. It has furthermore taken the lead in the 160,000 ha Agter-Pakhuis Conservancy project where farmers are encouraged to recognise the potential of eco-tourism and convert degraded farmland into conservation areas.

Bushmans Kloof has played a significant role in attracting tourism to “Beyond the Cederberg”, introducing both foreigners and South Africans to a part of the Western Cape that was previously unexplored.  

The vision of the Tollman family is to maintain, add value to, and to enhance the magical Bushmans Kloof product to not only remain ‘the ultimate wilderness experience’, but to enrich guests along a road of discoveries to education, relaxation, wellness, and healing – to share more of the magic of Africa.

During 2004/2005 the lodge will be converted to all-suite accommodation to offer a total of 16 suites; lodge décor will be refined in some areas; an a la carte menu will be introduced and new dining options will be on offer; one of the four swimming pools has been heated and The Trading Post gift shop will be extended. 

A luxury tented camp will also be established for guests who wish to experience a ‘sleep-out’ experience in the reserve.  A new Research and Information Centre is being completed and further developments of the rock art experience at Bushmans Kloof are underway.  Staff quarters and facilities have been improved and new training programs introduced as part of staff development.