ECO ASSESSMENT

GENERALLY

All developments are done with an eco friendly approach. Since the current owners purchased the land in 1996, they have attempted to manage it as a nature reserve on an eco friendly basis. In the Groot (Great) Karoo climate conditions and rainfall plays a vital role, keeping you grateful and humble most of the time.

Bosch Luys Kloof can be reached via a single gravel road, accessible by most vehicles ( vehicles with very low ground clearance are not recommended)

Water for the reserve is supplied by boreholes. According to tests done at the University of Stellenbosch the water is of first-rate quality and is suitable to drink. The catchment area of the water is mainly in the surrounding clean uninhabited mountain areas.

An interesting piece of history is that years ago it was believed that the area had very little water.  We believe it was  because the windmills did not deliver a lot of water, because the wind does not blow here consistently. Fortunately we do have abundant underground water which we nonetheless utilize sparingly through solar power pumping stations.

Power development was done on the basis of solar power, supported by a generator.  We have many sunny days, and we utilize it.

Wind energy is also considered. Guests are requested to utilize power responsibly to keep our and their footprint as green as possible.

Our new buildings have been build making use of natural materials as far as possible including clay bricks, natural stone, wood, thatch and reed, etc. Buildings were positioned to make maximum use of natural elements being north facing and having cavity walls, etc.

Our approach to walking trails or nature drives is to develop it such that we again leave the smallest possible footprint.

Also see our Management Policy

BUILDINGS

The lodge was built around a historical farmhouse dating from ± 1850. The old farm house was completely run down. Where possible we tried to retain parts of the original building, which can be identified for interested guests.

All buildings and equipment are luxurious, but with an earthy natural touch.

FLORA

We have embarked on a process to learn more about the specific benefits Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) vegetation that is currently enjoying even international interest. Bosch Luys Kloof is home to large areas of Spekboom in its thicket areas. Spekboom is believed to be one of the biggest sequestrators of carbon dioxide in semi-arid environments due to its special ability to switch between two different types of metabolisms.

Two Master Degree students at the University of Stellenbosch are currently working on projects that focus on this species and its relevance to current day environmental issues such as global warming. One of the students is currently employed and also acts as a nature guide for guests.

Read more under the Plants & Fauna headers

FAUNA

Bosch Luys Kloof Private Nature Reserve follows a strict nature conservation policy. A prominent prescription of the policy states that only indigenous animals, that occurred in this area historically, should be reintroduced. This strict but correct approach would prevent the placement of species in a for them, unsuitable environment e.g. Elephants in the Karoo.

Read more under the Plants & Fauna headers

TEMPERATURES

We have thermometers measuring the highest daytime and the lowest nighttime temperatures. The tables below indicate the monthly highest and lowest temperature averages.