Celebrating Heritage Month, One AfriCamps at a Time

Nestled below the Bainskloof Pass lies Doolhof. Its name, meaning “Labyrinth,” was inspired by the valley’s winding hills and hidden folds. The estate’s story begins in 1709, when the land was first granted for grazing, but its wine legacy truly took root in 1728, when French Huguenot settlers recognised its potential for grape cultivation. By the 1990s, modern winemaking flourished, and in 2005, Doolhof was officially recognised as a Wine Estate.

Spanning 380 hectares, Doolhof’s unique terroir, a valley shaped by mountains offering a tapestry of soils and microclimates, nurtures an array of varietals, including South Africa’s own Pinotage. Created in 1925 by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsault, this bold varietal has found a natural home at Doolhof.

Doolhof continues this legacy with Pinotage that reflects both the estate’s heritage and its unique terroir. The Signatures Single Vineyard Pinotage shows a mix of spice and fruit‑driven complexity with gentle tannins, while the Mountain Range Pinotage offers notes of mocha, black cherry, and almond, with soft tannins, making it especially enjoyable even when young.

Today, guests at AfriCamps at Doolhof experience this layered heritage firsthand, wandering historic landscapes, exploring Cape Dutch architecture, and sipping storied wines surrounded by vineyards and mountain tranquillity. Here, centuries of history and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the modern South African wine experience, offering a true taste of Wellington’s rich legacy.

From the rugged sandstone cliffs to ancient San rock art, the Cederberg is a living archive of South Africa’s heritage. Created by the San people thousands of years ago, these paintings (some dating back 2,000 to 6,000 years) form part of one of the world’s richest rock art legacies, with one of the highest concentrations of artworks per square kilometre anywhere.

Just 6 km from AfriCamps at de Pakhuys, the Sevilla Rock Art Trail showcases nine sites featuring some of the region’s best-preserved San paintings. Visitors can step back in time while exploring these ancient artworks, then connect with living culture through the vibrant riel dance. This traditional performance carries the rhythm of the ages and is still proudly celebrated today. Elizabethfontein Primary School, the reigning National Rieldance Champion, is helping keep this tradition alive for a new generation.

September is the perfect time to visit, as spring wildflowers transform the valley into a colourful wonderland. Nearby, discover Wupperthal, a historic mission village established in 1830, and Clanwilliam, the 10th-oldest town in South Africa and the world’s rooibos capital, both offering fascinating insights into the country’s rich cultural tapestry.

Originally named Karbonaatjieskraal, Karoo 1 was a legendary stop for weary travellers heading to Kimberley’s diamond fields in the late 1860s. Guests were welcomed with hearty karbonaatjies, generous lunch packs that became famous along the Hex River Valley. Hospitality has remained at the heart of Karoo 1, passed down from the Hugo family to the Woestyns, who transformed the farm into a charming Hotel Village in 2009. Today, it is proudly owned by the Rubensteins, who continue the tradition of warm welcome and care.

The land itself tells tales of courage and resilience. Boer War lookout posts dot the mountains, silent witnesses to skirmishes, daring escapes, and the lives of locals over centuries. Original farm buildings, dating back to 1756, stand as a testament to generations of family, tradition, and community.

Today, the farm serves as a beautiful weekend escape for Capetonians and remains a welcome stop for guests travelling along the N1. Among climbers, it is still known by its original name, Karbonaatjieskraal, and is a popular destination for rock climbing. For those seeking a Big 5 safari experience, it also makes a great base, with Aquila Game Reserve just a few minutes away. Guests at AfriCamps at Karoo 1 can enjoy more than breathtaking views of the Matroosberg and fynbos-covered valleys, they become part of a story that spans generations.

Just outside the charming Victorian village of Stanford, established in 1857, AfriCamps at Stanford Hills is surrounded by stories that span centuries. The village itself is one of South Africa’s best-preserved, where oak-lined streets, the Klein River, and historic cottages create a living museum of Cape heritage.

Set in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, the farm is alive with biodiversity. Wild fynbos paints the hillsides, while 15 hectares of proteas and pincushions burst into colour each season. These blooms are carefully harvested and exported, carrying South Africa’s floral beauty across the world.

The farm is also rooted in South Africa’s winemaking story. Guests can wander through the vineyards and enjoy a tasting of Stanford Hills’ signature Pinotage, a proudly South African varietal first created in the 1920s. Every glass reflects a legacy of innovation, culture, and craftsmanship, deeply tied to the land.

Beyond the vines, the Overberg’s natural heritage shines. Nearby Hermanus celebrates the annual whale migration, a timeless rhythm of nature honoured by locals and visitors for generations.

From walking among wild fynbos and vibrant blooms, to sipping wines steeped in South African history, to exploring the stories of Stanford’s historic streets, every moment offers a connection to the natural, cultural, and human heritage of this remarkable corner of the Overberg.

Situated along the scenic Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, AfriCamps at Pat Busch offers a unique blend of nature, history, and adventure at the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains in the beautiful Pat Busch Mountain Reserve.

The reserve is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, home to an abundant range of fauna and flora. Among its treasures is the rare protea Vexatorella latebrosa, thought to be extinct for almost 50 years before being rediscovered here after a veldfire. Today, it is carefully protected by CapeNature, standing as a symbol of resilience and natural heritage.

Another highlight of the region is the New Cape Central Railway, a steam-hauled journey through the vineyards and open landscapes of the Breede River and Langeberg Valley. Originally built to transport wine, fruit, and produce from the valley to Cape Town, the train now offers an unforgettable mix of history and leisure. Guests can enjoy tastings from local wine estates, craft beer, and fresh regional food aboard beautifully restored vintage coaches, all while soaking in breathtaking views. It’s a perfect pairing of South Africa’s wine heritage with the romance of classic rail travel.

Whether you’re relaxing in your tent, hiking the reserve, or savouring a glass of wine after a day’s adventure, every moment connects you to the heritage, beauty, and flavours of this remarkable region.

Famous for its sandstone Cango Caves and as the Ostrich Capital of the World, Oudtshoorn bears visible evidence of these two wonders. The Cango Caves, carved by nature into limestone over 20 million years, have been explored since the Early Stone Age and became a popular tourist attraction in the 1800s, introducing thousands to this natural marvel.

The town also tells the story of the ostrich feather boom of the 1880s to early 1900s, when feather barons poured fortunes into grand Ostrich Palaces. These sandstone buildings, crafted by architects such as Charles Bullock and Johannes Vixseboxse, display Art Nouveau, Victorian, and Neo-Renaissance Revival styles, complete with ornate turrets, lacework, and Corinthian towers.

During the same period, the Swartberg Pass was constructed and completed in 1888. Considered engineer Thomas Bain’s last and most impressive of seventeen passes in the Cape Colony, it is a National Monument famed for its breathtaking views and rugged beauty, connecting Oudtshoorn to the highlands of the Klein Karoo.

AfriCamps Klein Karoo, only minutes from the town centre, is an authentic working ostrich farm, letting guests experience heritage, architecture, and natural wonder under the wide Klein Karoo skies.

Oakhurst Farm is one of the few remaining large working farms along the Garden Route, spanning 640 hectares, 200 of which are pristine fynbos and indigenous forest. Today, it is run by the Crowther family, sixth-generation descendants of Henry Dumbleton, who purchased the farm without ever seeing it in 1820 while serving in the British Army in India.

Twenty years later, his son Henry Dumbleton Junior arrived to develop the property, building the original farmhouse before returning to Cape Town. In 1860, Henry’s brother, Walter, took over, creating a 4.5-kilometre water furrow from the Outeniqua Mountains to a new farmhouse built in 1868 for his wife and their 13 children, a home still in use today.

Walter’s vision extended beyond farming. He built Oakhurst Chapel in the mid 1870s, which still serves the local community and is a popular wedding venue. He also established a school and a water mill, which operated until the 1960s and is still fully intact.

From a top dairy farm to a scenic destination for guests, AfriCamps at Oakhurst offers a unique glimpse into South Africa’s agricultural heritage. Guests can enjoy horse riding, mountain biking, fishing, and exploring the surrounding landscapes while immersing themselves in more than two centuries of history.

Staying at AfriCamps at Ingwe means staying in the heart of one of South Africa’s most breathtaking places, the Tsitsikamma section of Garden Route National Park. Here, lush indigenous forests meet the sparkling coastline, creating a sanctuary that celebrates South Africa’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The surrounding forests are home to ancient yellowwood trees, endemic fynbos, and the striking Knysna loerie, whose flashes of green and crimson are a favourite sight for bird lovers.

Just a short drive away lies Plettenberg Bay, a town with a layered history. Originally inhabited by the Khoekhoen and later Xhosa communities, whose knowledge of local flora and fauna still inspires conservation today. In the 15th century, Portuguese explorers named it Bahia Formosa, “Beautiful Bay,” and in the late 1700s, Governor Baron Joachim van Plettenberg gave it its current name. Once a hub for shipbuilding, whaling, and timber, the town later grew into coastal farms and colonial settlements. Today, Plettenberg Bay is a beloved holiday destination, celebrated for its beaches, marine life, and whale sightings during migration season.

Staying at AfriCamps at Ingwe is a chance to experience this beautiful corner of the Garden Route firsthand. From spotting a Knysna loerie in the treetops to watching whales breach offshore, every experience deepens your connection to the Garden Route.

When you stay at AfriCamps Addo, you’re stepping into a living story – from sea level to the Zuurberg Mountains, the Addo region has been a home for people and wildlife for thousands of years. The Khoekhoen (Khoi) settled here some 5,000 years ago, leaving behind shell middens, pottery, and stone tools that still tell their story today. Later, nomadic Xhosa tribes moved into the area, living closely with the land. By the 1700s, European settlers arrived, and with them came new farming practices, hunting, and changes that reshaped the natural balance of the region.

Through all of this, elephants remained a constant presence – giant figures moving across valleys, rivers, and forests. But as conflict over land and crops grew, elephant numbers fell sharply. By 1931, only 11 elephants remained. It was then that Addo Elephant National Park was declared, a last effort to save them from extinction.

The park has since grown into one of South Africa’s greatest conservation stories. Today, over 450 elephants live here, along with lions, rhinos, buffalos, and more, roaming freely across 686,000 hectares of diverse landscapes. The park now forms part of the country’s third-largest national park, protecting both biodiversity and cultural heritage.

From exploring the rugged Zuurberg to watching elephants wander the plains, every moment spent here connects you to the heritage of this land and the people and animals who have shaped it.

The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is renowned for its warm hospitality, rolling hills, and rich cultural heritage, offering visitors a scenic escape into the heart of South Africa.

Beyond its natural beauty, the region is also home to one of the country’s most powerful historic sites – the place where Nelson Mandela was captured in 1962. Just outside Howick, along the R103, Mandela was arrested after months in hiding. That seemingly ordinary stretch of road became the start of 27 years of imprisonment and a defining moment in South Africa’s fight for freedom.

Today, the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, with its striking sculpture and Visitor Centre, stands as a moving reminder of Mandela’s courage, unwavering principles, and the countless South Africans who fought for peace and human dignity.

Guests staying at AfriCamps at Gowan Valley are only a 15-minute drive from this landmark, making it an accessible and deeply meaningful day trip. While visiting, travellers can explore the sculpture and exhibits, reflect on the history of the anti-apartheid movement, and gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices that shaped the nation.

At AfriCamps Champagne Valley, mornings begin beneath the towering Drakensberg Mountains, a landscape steeped in history, culture, and breathtaking beauty. Located in the Central Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, the range stretches an impressive 300 km between Lesotho and the province. Its highest peaks, including Champagne Castle (3,248 m) and Cathkin Peak (3,149 m), rise above the valley, creating a world-famous playground for hikers, mountain bikers, and climbers.

The Drakensberg holds deep cultural significance. For thousands of years, the San people have called this region home, leaving behind over 35,000 rock paintings that depict hunting scenes, animals, and spiritual rituals. Many are more than 3,000 years old, offering a rare glimpse into how the San lived and their profound connection to nature.

Today, the Drakensberg is also celebrated for its vibrant musical heritage. The world-renowned Drakensberg Boys’ Choir, based nearby, continues a centuries-old tradition of choral excellence, sharing the region’s stories and spirit through song.

Staying at AfriCamps Champagne Valley places you in the heart of this living history where epic landscapes, ancient stories, thrilling hikes, and even the harmony of the mountains themselves combine for a truly immersive experience.

From the rolling grasslands to the fertile floodplains of Hluhluwe, AfriCamps at Bonamanzi Game Reserve lies in one of South Africa’s most culturally and ecologically significant regions. The name, Bonamanzi, meaning “Look, water!” in isiZulu, reflects both the lifeblood of the land and the enduring bond local communities share with it.

But Bonamanzi is about more than wildlife. Fossils discovered here tell stories of ancient landscapes long before people and game roamed Zululand, making the reserve a living archive where natural and human heritage meet.

Just beyond Bonamanzi’s boundaries lies Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest proclaimed game reserve, established in 1895. Once the royal hunting grounds of Zulu kings, including the legendary King Shaka, who introduced early conservation laws, the park is steeped in heritage. It later became the cradle of rhino conservation, where the southern white rhino was saved from extinction, leaving a legacy that continues to guide global wildlife protection today.

Together, Bonamanzi and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi embody the many layers of South Africa’s heritage: fossils hidden beneath the earth, the proud traditions of Zulu kings, and the thriving wildlife that still commands these plains.

For guests at AfriCamps at Bonamanzi, this heritage is alive all around you. From guided safaris to evenings under the stars, every moment connects you to the deep past and vibrant present of this extraordinary corner of Zululand.

Where rifles once roared, elephants trumpet. Where warriors once fought and hunters fired, guests today watch the wilderness thrive. 

Rising above the plains, the Lebombo Mountains mark the start of the Great Rift Valley, once home to ancient tribes, Zulu kings, and early settlers. These ridges have seen it all: the fall of King Dingane, the clash of rivals at Ghost Mountain, and the march of hunters and missionaries in the 1800s.

By the late 19th century, wars, disease, hunting and misguided campaigns against the tsetse fly pushed wildlife to the brink. In 1894, President Paul Kruger proclaimed the Pongola Game Reserve, the oldest in South Africa and the second oldest in the world. 

Over a century later, it became the stage for one of the country’s most ambitious conservation stories. After 7 years of planning and collaboration with landowners, the Railway Company, and surrounding communities, a childhood dream of veterinarian and AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris owner, Dr Heinz Kohrs came true. In June 1997, exactly 100 years after the last sighting, two elephant families from Kruger National Park were reintroduced. It was no small feat: 17 elephants, plus 3 bulls, transported by road. (Imagine passing trucks full of elephants on the highway… only in Africa!)

From battlefields to conservation triumphs, Pongola’s heritage is a reminder that nature always finds a way back. Today, it is no longer a battlefield but a sanctuary.

Just 30 minutes from AfriCamps at Mackers lies one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks, the Kruger National Park. Its story began in 1898 with the creation of the Sabi Game Reserve, established to protect rapidly disappearing wildlife. Under the stewardship of its first warden, James Stevenson-Hamilton, the reserve flourished. In 1926, it was officially proclaimed as Kruger National Park, the country’s first national park, and opened to the public a year later.

Today, the Kruger stands as one of the world’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries, home to the famed Big 5 and hundreds of bird species. But it’s also a living legacy of President Paul Kruger’s vision to preserve South Africa’s natural heritage for generations to come.

Beyond Kruger, the Panorama Route offers another heritage-rich experience. This breathtaking drive takes you past forests, mountains, and dramatic waterfalls, with highlights such as Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and Lisbon Falls. Each stop adds its own story to the region’s natural and cultural tapestry.

And right outside our tents, the historic Sabie River flows quietly by, a lifeline that has supported farming, wildlife, and human settlement in the valley for centuries. Staying at AfriCamps at Mackers means more than glamping in nature, it’s your chance to sleep along a river steeped in history, explore world-famous landmarks, and immerse yourself in the heritage and beauty of the Lowveld.

In the early 1960s, Operation Rhino set out to save southern white rhinos from the brink of extinction. Spearheaded by Dr. Ian Player, the program relocated rhinos from Imfolozi Game Reserve to other protected areas, including what is now the Lowveld and Kruger regions. Between 1961 and 1968, hundreds of rhinos were carefully translocated, laying the groundwork for South Africa’s modern conservation efforts.

AfriCamps Hoedspruit has a unique connection to this history. Louw Roux Senior, father of our camp owner, played a vital role in transporting rhinos in specially modified Coca-Cola trucks, navigating gravel roads and fragile wooden bridges. At 88, Mr. Roux vividly recalls every detail of these journeys from Imfolozi to Buffelshoek, now part of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. These efforts helped establish rhino populations in the Lowveld and marked a turning point in wildlife preservation.

The farm has been in the Roux family since 1948. Louwtjie’s parents, Louw and Rebekka, took over in 1989 to retire. In 1999, Louwtjie, qualified guide and conservation enthusiast, returned as the fourth generation, transforming the farm into a welcoming tourist destination.

Today, it is known for fishing, nature, and safari experiences. Staying at AfriCamps Hoedspruit isn’t just a glamping escape; it’s stepping into a landscape shaped by conservation pioneers.

Cheerio Gardens in Magoebaskloof is one of South Africa’s most enchanting gardens, and it all began with the AfriCamps Magoebaskloof owner’s great aunt, Sheila “Box” Thompson, whose love for plants transformed a worn-out farmland in Haenertsburg into a paradise. Azaleas, Japanese cherry blossoms, camellias, magnolias, and many rare species now thrive along wild, colourful paths, reflecting Box’s belief in letting nature take the lead.

Box worked alongside her mother, Googoo, and a Mozambican gardener, Station, sourcing seeds and cuttings from around the world. Her dedication even reached Japan, where the Emperor’s physician exchanged rare azalea seeds for local blue-flowering plants. She corresponded with Kew Gardens to acquire unusual yellow and orange azalea varieties, steadily shaping a garden renowned for its spring blossoms and fiery autumn colours.

After Box passed, her niece Jane Hillary cared for the garden, and today Sarah, her partner JJ, and their son Ryder continue to nurture its beauty. Visitors can walk through the blossom-lined paths, enjoy the peaceful streams, and watch the changing beauty of each season. In 2010, a wedding venue was added to the farm, which quickly became one of South Africa’s top five country venues.

At AfriCamps Waterberg, history is experienced through both people and place. Guests can join Juliet Calcott on her Step into the Past tour or walk with Dora Mpete on her Village Tour, each offering rare insights into a heritage that spans more than a century. Today, the farm is a beloved family-friendly safari destination, where giraffe, buffalo, zebra, and antelope roam the fields, but it’s fascinating to hear where it all began.

Juliet’s family roots in the Waterberg stretch back to 1886, the year gold was discovered on the Rand, when her great-grandmother’s uncle, Arthur Peacock, settled here. Over time, cousins Katherine and Edith Fawsett, and later niece Molly Fawsett, joined him. Their lives were shaped by the South African War, with treks into the veld and a relocation to Bela-Bela marking a chapter of resilience.

Romance and adventure soon followed. Molly married Edward Davidson, a Rhodesian adventurer whose ox wagon journeys shaped routes still in use today. Their 1910 wattle-and-daub homestead, along with Ted’s wagon, once owned by General Louis Botha, remain treasured relics. The family also helped establish a Herbert Baker-designed church in 1914, still home to a thriving congregation.

The story of the land is also the story of its people. In the 1950s, the farm’s villages and school became a hub for local families, including Dora Mpete and her children, who continue to work alongside the Calcott family today. Together, their intertwined histories ensure that the Waterberg’s legacy is not only remembered but lived.

Stay among the ancient Magaliesberg Mountains – a staggering 2.3 billion years old and often called a living geological museum. Just down the road lies the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the earliest chapters of our story were written. Fossil discoveries in limestone caves like Sterkfontein, including the famous “Mrs. Ples” and “Little Foot”, reveal rare insights into human evolution and South Africa’s central role in it.

But Magaliesberg holds more than natural wonders, it’s a place where cultural heritage thrives. Mid-Iron Age kraals still rest on the Milorho property, echoing the lives of early communities who lived closely with the land. Today, creativity continues to flourish here, from the Mary Stainbank Sculpture Gallery to the sculpture garden, both right on the property. Among the pieces is a striking tribute to Chief Mogale, the namesake of the Magaliesberg and the evocative new Stone Folk installation, standing as guardians of memory and art.

At AfriCamps at Milorho, this heritage becomes part of your stay. Families gather around glowing campfires, wander hiking trails that cross through history, or explore art installations by local artists. Each moment connects you not only to the beauty of the Magaliesberg but also to the people, stories, and spirit that shaped it.