BONNIEDALE
HOLIDAY
FARM
GPS CO-ORDINATES: S33° 52.429
E21° 51.599
COME TO NATURE – GET AWAY FROM THE CROWDS

NO POWER – OIL LAMPS FOR LIGHT AND GAS FOR HOT WATER
2015/2016 RATES
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Rates: Per Person Per Night: Children Under 3yrs stay free
Pets: R50 per Pet – Once off fee
For Discount: Book Jun,Jul,Aug – Pay for 1 Stay for 2 -Accommodation & Hall -Excl Long Weekends
Rates Valid until: 1 October 2016
50% Deposit to make a Booking - (Non-refundable – so please be sure of dates and numbers)
DAY VISITORS
R50
CAMPING
R100-R120
(Private Camps Min 2 People / 2 Nights)
TENTED ACCOMMODATION
(Various sizes with Beds)
R120
CARAVANS (Min 2)
Excluding Bedding
Including Bedding
R150
R250
CHALET (Sleeps 16–Min 8) Self-Catering - 4 Rooms en-suite
Excluding Bedding
R200
Including Bedding
R300
GUESTHOUSE
Family Room – Sleeps 5 (Single Supplement + 50%)
R400
Please bring Towels for Swimming!
Complimentary Breakfast - Use of Communal Farmhouse Kitchen & Exclusive use of Lapa for Lunch & Dinner
 CONFERENCE HALL (MAX 100) RATES
ON REQUEST 
EXTRAS – To be booked in Advance!
4X4 / OLD OX-WAGON ROUTES
R250 per Vehicle –(Use of Picnic/Braai Area R50pp)
OFF-ROAD BIKE ROUTES
R200 per Bike
MOUNTAIN BIKE ROUTES
R70 per Bike
4X4 TOUR – Max 6 Persons
R1000 per Tour/ per Hour
HORSE RIDING WITH GUIDE
FLYING FOX “FOEFIE” SLIDE
R250 (Book in advance)
R 40 per Slide
WOOD
R 50 per large Bag
HOSTS: Nico & Danette Hesterman
Tel: 044-695 3175 Email: info(at)bonniedale.com
Website: www.bonniedale.com
BANK DETAILS: NO CREDIT CARD FACILITIES!
BONNIEDALE FARM (PTY) LTD
NEDBANK - BUSINESS GARDEN ROUTE
BRANCH: 162645
ACC. NO: 1626015716 - SWIFT NO: NED SZ AJJ
RULES AND REGULATIONS
ARRIVAL TIME FROM 2PM
PLEASE KEEP ALL GATES CLOSED
ACCOMMODATION TO BE PAID IN FULL ON DAY OF ARRIVAL.
NO CREDIT CARD FACILITIES.
ALL ACTIVITIES TO BE BOOKED AND PAID IN ADVANCE.
DAY VISITORS TO BOOK & SIGN IN AT FARMHOUSE.
STRICTLY NO FEEDING OF ANIMALS. LEFT OVERS CAN BE HANDED IN AT FARMHOUSE.
PLEASE KEEP FOODSTUFFS PACKED AWAY AS NOT TO ATTRACT BABOONS.
LOUD NOISE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
WE ARE PET FRIENDLY BUT PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR DOGS TO CHASE ANIMALS OR
DISTURB OTHER GUESTS.
SWIMMING IN ALL POOLS & DAM AT OWN RISK.
BOATS ON DAM ARE FOR EVERYBODY'S USE, SO PLEASE DO NOT OVERLOAD AND DAMAGE
BOATS. PLEASE RETURN THEM TO THEIR MOORINGS AFTER USE. CHILDREN TO BE
SUPERVISED.
PLEASE REPORT ANY BREAKAGES TO BE CHARGED ACCORDINGLY.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER, IT AFFECTS ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
PREMISES TO BE VACATED AT 10AM ON DAY OF DEPARTURE UNLESS BY PRIOR
ARRANGEMENT. PLEASE LEAVE THE PREMISES THE SAME WAY YOU FOUND IT.
PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH.
ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL NATURE & PEACEFUL ANIMALS.
I CONFIRM & ACCEPT THE ABOVE RULES & REGULATIONS.
SIGNED …......................................................at Bonniedale Holiday Farm
DATE ….........................
BONNIEDALE HOLIDAY FARM
ATTAQUASKLOOF MOSSEL BAY
COME TO NATURE – GET AWAY FROM THE CROWDS
Bonniedale Holiday Farm is a 1650ha natural fynbos farm situated in the Outeniqua Mountains, and is approximately
54km from Mossel Bay and 72km from Oudtshoorn.
The 14 000ha Attaquas Nature Reserve surrounds the farm and the lion’s share of the farm is natural mountain fynbos.
ACCOMMODATION:
GUESTHOUSE
The accommodation in the 1890 Cape Dutch thatch roofed farmhouse consists of two bedrooms, one of which is a family
room en-suite which sleep 5 and lead out onto its own verandah and one twin room with separate bathroom. There is a
lapa alongside the farmhouse for socializing around an open fire.
All meals can be provided on request, or guests can choose the self-catering option.
CHALET
There is a large chalet with four en-suite bedrooms and open plan lounge, pub, kitchen and dining room. In the center of
this chalet is an open fireplace for cooking and socializing. In front of the chalet is a swimming pool and kiddies pool.
Guests can bring their own bedding or bedding can be provided. This chalet can accommodate up to 16 persons and the
kitchen is fully equipped for self-caterers.
CARAVANS
There are four equipped caravans under roof available to hire. Two are situated near the main farmhouse and have their
own ablution, braai places, hammock, table & chairs. One other is alongside the Kamma river, next to the tented
accommodation and the fourth caravan is in the main campsite.
TENTED ACCOMMODATION
There are two large tents with bunk beds (sleep 24), a communal kitchen tent and undercover lapa, with five smaller
tents, with beds which can accommodate another 18 persons for those who don’t want to put up their own tents. Each of
these tents have their own private braai place, hammock, table & chairs.
CAMPING
The main campsite with hot and cold ablutions is situated approximately 400m from the main house in the Kamma river
and can accommodate large groups of campers. Each individual campsite has shade and grass and each site has it’s own
private braai place, hammock tables and chairs. Firewood can be purchased at the farmhouse. There is a swimming pool
near the main campsite. This campsite was rated as one of the top ten campsites in Africa by Drive Out 4x4 magazine.
There are also 2 private campsites with their own ablutions and under roof seating. The Rockpools campsite has it’s
own bush bath/Jacuzzi which is heated with a wood fired donkey.
4x4 TRAILS
Bonniedale 4x4 Trails have been rated by Drive out magazine as one of the top ten trails in Southern Africa out of 500
Trails listed. There are 35 km of well-maintained 4x4 trails, which are divided into two 17 and a half km sections, some
of which are extremely steep. They offer the driver and passengers a challenge and a reward of magnificent views from
the top of the Outeniqua and Langeberg mountains. The trails are not suitable for vehicles without low range and are selfdrive but guides are available.
Bonniedale was the first 4x4 trail in the Southern Cape and was the founder member of the Southern Cape Route Owners
Forum, which represents 22 trails in the area. For vehicles without low range or 4x2’s there is an interesting route
through the 50 km Attaquaskloof. Permits are issued at Bonniedale to travel the 16 km Attaquas Ox Wagon trail in
Western Cape Nature Conservation’s Attaquas Nature Reserve.
GUIDED 4x4 TOURS
Visitors are taken out on the 4x4 trails and over the Attaquas Ox Wagon Trail, a declared National Monument, to view
pristine fynbos, bushman paintings and the old tollhouses and British forts. On route there are pristine natural rock pools
to cool off during the hot summer days.
HORSE RIDING
Bonniedale specializes in horse riding for beginners and experienced riders with trails through magnificent gorges and
towering mountains. We also cater for handicapped riders and young children. To be booked in advance.
HIKING
For the hiker there are numerous short hikes which can be undertaken from the farmhouse. The hiking trails meander
through pristine fynbos and along streams with waterfalls and natural rock pools. Hikers can visit numerous bushman
caves. To date eleven Khoi San rock art sites have been recorded and due to their isolation and lack of human
interference are in pristine condition.
FLYING FOX FOEFIE SLIDE
There is a 130m Flying Fox/ Zip line / Foefie Slide over the dam. Participants can either hold on to a T bar or they can be
harnessed in safety harnesses. Children under 10 years must use the safety harnesses.
PET FRIENDLY
Bonniedale is a pet friendly establishment with the exception of the guesthouse. Certain rules & regulations do apply
and there is a small fee per stay.
CANOEING & PADDLE BOATS
There are Canoes, paddle boats and Paddle Ski’s on a large dam for guests to use.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Visitors can hire mountain bikes at Bonniedale or bring their own. Some of the trails are for the super fit but there are
also trails for those who want to take it easy. For the more adventurous there is the Sunbird down hill challenge but this is
extreme and only for experienced riders. There is also a three day of 150 km route through the Attaquaskloof and Cloetes
Pass with overnight accommodation on route.
QUAD BIKES AND OFF ROAD MOTORCYCLES
Visitors can bring their own quad bikes or motorcycles and there are certain of the trails set out for them but they must
abide to the rules and regulations so as to limit the disturbance to other guests.
ABSEILLLING AND ROCKFACE CLIMBING
Visitors can use their own equipment.
PARAGLIDING
There are three cleared takeoff sites for Paragliders but a fair level of experience is needed due to the thermals emanating
from the numerous canyons.
CONFERENCE HALL
There is a Conference Hall on the banks of the Kamma River which can seat 80 Persons comfortably. This is an ideal
venue for weddings, parties, conferences, 4x4 vehicle launches or a bosberaad with a difference. Should more seating be
required, the large under roof deck can be utilized. Caterers and event organizers can be arranged as well as unique Team
Building exercises.
YOUTH & CHURCH CAMPS
Due to the fact that there is no cell phone reception on Bonniedale, makes it the ideal venue for school, youth & church
camps. Catering & numerous activities can be included.
WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION
The Bonniedale mammal checklist presently consists of 46 species, which include the rare Cape Mountain Leopard and
Brown Hyena. The bird checklist currently numbers 130 species with breeding pairs of Black Eagles nesting regularly.
Other interesting recordings have been the Cape Vulture and Bateleur. To date 15 species of snakes have been recorded.
The vegetation in the Attaquaskloof is fairly unique as it is situated in a major valley between two ranges, namely the end
of the Langeberg and the beginning of the Outeniquas, something that is unusual in the Southern Cape Mountains. The
vegetation is a cross between mountain fynbos and renosterveld, which has resulted in numerous species being endemic
to this valley.
HISTORICAL OX WAGON 4x4 ROUTE
There is a 450km historical ox wagon trail which takes 4 days to complete. It starts at Heidelberg and ends at De Vlugt in
the Prince Alfred Pass. This is a 4x4 trail but can be undertaken by motorcycles, 4x2 vehicles or SUV’s with a few
diversions. This route criss crosses the Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains through pristine fynbos and indigenous
forests with magnificent views. The entire route is on gravel only crossing a few tar roads without any towns in between.
The overnight stops offer camping and guesthouse accommodation.
KANNA LAND 4x4 ROUTE
Travel over the Attaquaskloof Ox Wagon trail to Minwater 4x4 trail for a unique succulent Karoo vegetation experience
with the owner Louis Jordaan. From Minwater travel through Paardebont, Ouderwagen drift, Rooiberg Lodge to Van
Wyksdorp and via the Gonritzriver back to Bonniedale. Should you wish to overnight on this route there are camping
sites at Minwater and accommodation at Gamkaberg Nature Reserve or Rooiberg Lodge.
OTHER 4x4 TRAILS
There are twenty one 4x4 trails in the Southern Cape. For more information on these trails, visit www.4x4ineden.co.za
HISTORY OF BONNIEDALE
As can be seen from the numerous rock art sites, Attaquaskloof was first inhabited by the bushmen or Khoi San, who
were present until the 1700’s as there are paintings of persons riding horses with rifles and hats on their heads. They
inhabited the valley with the Attaqua Khoi-Khoi, (who arrived in the Southern Cape after the Bushmen) hence the name
Attaquaskloof.
The first European to set foot on Bonniedale would have been Ensign Isaac Schrijwer in February 1689. He led an
expedition of 21 men and two ox wagons, sent by Simon van der Stel, to barter for cattle and sheep with the Inca KhoiKhoi near Aberdeen. On their return with numerous cattle and sheep, they overnighted near the present nature
conservation hut and were attacked by the Attaqua Khoi-Khoi, who took all the cattle and sheep into Grootkloof on
Bonniedale. The following morning Schrijwer followed the spoor and killed 41 Khoi-Khoi in Grootkloof. They returned
to Cape Town with the animals they had bartered from the Incas, and the Attaqua’s cattle and sheep that they took after
the attack. This pleased the other Khoi-Khoi tribes, such as the Gourikwa, Hessekwa and Inca, as they regularly had
come under attack from the Attaqua. (There are Bushman paintings on Bonniedale illustrating these attacks.)
The first European to settle on Bonniedale was a Scotsman in 1860. (Hence the Scottish name of Bonniedale.) He
supplied produce, mules and oxen to the travelers passing though the Attaquaskloof, he also had the toll concession to
maintain the Attaquas pass from Bonniedale to the summit of the Attaquas mountains, and to look after the trail though
Grootkloof, over Fouriesberg, which led to Calitzdorp.
By 1869, when the Ruiterbosch pad (Robinson Pass) was completed this concession was no longer viable. During 1880
he returned to Scotland on holiday and never came back.
When a local farmer, Mr Muller, (the grandfather of the late Oom Sep Muller) bought Bonniedale for 12 pounds in 1890,
he discovered a four-year old coloured boy in one of the shepherd’s huts on the farm. There was no trace of the boy’s
parents. He had survived on grapes and chicken eggs. They raised the boy, who lived until 1968. Mr Muller started
building the Bonniedale farmhouse in 1892 but only finished it 10 years later due to the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War.
During 1890 the government surveyed a railway line from Albertinia, through the Langeberg following the Gouritz River
and up the Attaquaskloof. Due the war this railway line was never constructed.
MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF BONNIEDALE
The ghosts of Grootkloof. Grootkloof is a major canyon, which crosses virtually the entire length of Bonniedale. A
previous labourer on the farm refused to walk or ride through Grootkloof as he was convinced that there were ghosts at a
certain place in the canyon. Even the horses still today become nervous and agitated at this point. Two years after this
labourer had left the farm, members of the University of Cape Town archaeological department discovered the remains
of a Khoi-Khoi village at this point, and that the horse trail went directly over a Khoi-Khoi grave. The labourer had no
knowledge of this fact, nor did the horses.
The legend of “Bloubaard”
Bloubaard (Bluebeard) Swanepoel’s claim to fame was the fact that he was the last person to be publicly hanged in South
Africa (on the town square in George). He was convicted on numerous counts of murder of persons who had bought
cattle from him. After the sale he would ride over the Attaquas Mountains and ambush them on their way out with the
cattle, kill them and take the cattle back . He did this on four occasions but on the fifth occasion he did not see one of his
potential victims who had gone to the bush to relieve himself.
He is also believed to have killed numerous labourers who took out honey for him on the cliff faces of the upper Gouritz
River. After having retrieved the honey from them he would push them off the cliff into a maalgat or whirlpool in the
Gouritz. As their bodies could never be recovered he could not be convicted on these charges.
Bloubaard Swanepoel’s grave is the unmarked grave in the small graveyard behind the large gum tree at the Attaquas
hiking trail hut. As the Bloubaard myth goes, it is believed that if a sudden gust of wind comes up on a wind-less night, it
is only Bloubaard on his way to his killing fields. It is also believed that the Attaquas Mountains are riddled with the
skeletons of Bloubaard’s victims.
The Bushmen had a different myth for this gust of wind. They say that this wind was once a person like themselves until
by some mischance he sprouted feathers and in a short while began to fly like a bird. He was a hunter and now, like a
hawk, he could fly to seek his prey. He flew into the mountains and found a good, dry cave high up on the cliff face. Now
one can feel him coming and going searching for food. He seems to be afflicted with an extremely short temper, as he
flies into a rage over the slightest thing and throws himself down like a naughty child, kicking and raging. When he
stands up again, peace returns.
HISTORY OF THE ATTAQUAS OX WAGON TRAIL
The Attaquas pass was the ‘N1’ for ox wagons traveling north and east and was used by thousands of ox wagons from
1689 until 1869 when the nearby Robinson Pass was completed. The first ox wagons to use this route was an expedition
of 21 men and two ox wagons sent out by Simon van der Stel, under the leadership of Ensign Isaac Schrijwer In January
1689. Gouriqua Khoi-Khoi pointed out the old elephant route to them. It took Schrijwer seven days to cross over the
Attaquas Mountains from the farm Haelkraal on the southern side to the Moeras River on the northern side.
A list of travelers passing through the Attaquas pass is a who’s who of celebrated early explorers and boasts names such
as Thunberg (1772 – 1773), Sparrman (1775 – 1776), Swellengrebel (1776), van Plettenberg (1778), Patterson (1777 and
1779), Gordon (1786) and Van Reenen (1790). In the early 1800’s came Borrow and a host of other travelers. It became
known as “the gateway to the Karoo and East Cape”. Although other passes into the little Karoo were established before
the end of the 18th century, eg Plattekloof pass through the Langeberg and Duiwelskop through the Outeniquas, they did
not pose a serious threat to the Attaquas pass.
The establishment of George in the early 19th century, the Cradock (1812) and Montagu (1847) passes, brought about the
beginning of the end of the Attaquas pass. But, finally the Ruiterbosch pass (1869) now known as Robinson Pass,
provided a new and shorter route between Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay, and this finally ended the 180-year reign of what
must be one of the most attractive passes over either the Langeberg or Outeniqua Mountains.
During the Anglo Boer war the Mossel Bay town guard built a series of small blockhouses along the Outeniqua
Mountains. One of these well-preserved blockhouses is situated near the top of the Attaquas pass overlooking that part of
the old wagon road leading to Oudtshoorn.
As far as we know, none of these forts guarding entry from the little Karoo to the coastal villages ever saw any action
even though two large groups of Boer commandos did cross these ranges under the command of Commandant Jan
Theron. He crossed the mountain at Ruiterbos. At Brandwacht they skirmished with the English under the command of
Major Cavanagh. On the 14th of September 1901 the Boers attacked the headquarters of the West Yorkshire Regiment at
the Masonic Hotel in Heidelberg under the command of Colonel Bourke. The Boers fled through the Plattekloof pass
back to the Karoo.
For today’s traveler the Attaquas pass, which has recently been declared a national monument, offers spectacular scenery,
fynbos, natural rock pools and relics of blockhouses, tool houses and remains of ox wagons alongside the road.
Furthermore Cape Nature Conservation has an overnight hut for hikers on the three-day Attaquas hiking trail.
RECOMMENDED READING
Jose Burman describes the passes in three of his books: So high the road, towards the far horizon, and The little Karoo
(Human&Rousseau, Cape Town). The work of Thomas Bain is recorded in Patricia Storrar’s A colossus of roads
(Murray & Roberts, South Africa) and in the recordings of early travelers are detailed in VS Forbes (1965) Pioneer
travelers of South Africa (AA Balkema, Cape Town / Amsterdam). The Bartholomeu Diaz Museum has also published a
brochure on the subject titled Drives trough the historical places in the Mossel Bay district.
For more information please contact Nico and Danette Hesterman of Bonniedale
Holiday Farm on 044-695 3175
E-Mail: info@bonniedale.com
Website: www.bonniedale.com