Innikloof

Wagtail tucked in under the trees at Innikloof

Innikloof is a little gem just outside Hankey in the Gamtoos Valley. We have ridden past the turnoff a number of times, but never investigated it. Earlier in the year we went to Tolbos restaurant in Patensie and on the way back we went to take a look. We immediately decided to book and a few weeks later we were there. Innikloof is on a private farm about 15kms from the main road up a beautiful kloof – hence the name. John and Catherina Wait run the farm Honey Clough, which has been in the family for 5 generations, since 1822! On it they have established a lovely campsite next to the river and carved out some excellent walks in the indigenous bush. They also have a few brick cottages for hire if you aren’t into camping.

View of the campsite

We arrived on the Sunday just after lunch and were immediately greeted by a couple who were packing up. They told us to wait a while before setting up as they had the best site and would move off it soon. Campers are such lovely people! We took a stroll to the swimming hole and on our return they had pulled their van out. Just then a couple arrived with a huge caravan. We quickly moved Wagtail so they could set up where we had been parked, as it was the only spot they would fit. For the rest of the week they were the only other campers. It was blissfully quiet and absolutely wonderful to have no cell phone reception. In the early mornings it was a treat to lie in bed and listen to the dawn chorus warming up in the forest around us. Every night we would hear African Wood owls and a Spotted Eagle Owl calling.

Innikloof Map

As you can see from the map above, there are a number of walks and places to swim at Innikloof. The swimming hole at the campsite is awesome, with a lovely sandy bottom. It’s long enough to really get some serious exercise and deep in the middle. The owners have supplied tractor tubes for campers to use, great to float gently in the sun! There are bass in the river so fishermen can have fun catching and releasing.

Swimming hole at the campsite – looking upstream and downstream

Mike se Hike, just below the camp, runs along the river, is easy going and has beautiful indigenous trees, ferns and views of the river. The bird life is spectacular: Knysna loeries, kingfishers, Cape batis, woodpeckers, owls and much more. We saw a flock of little collared sunbirds, a first for us, flitting though the bushes. When the sun’s rays caught them they sparkled like emeralds. Unfortunately with the shadows and the speed at which they dart about I never got a single decent photo of one. What we did see was (we think) a beautiful batis nest gracefully swinging above the river. We wondered how the little bird managed to tie the branches together to support its nest. Nature is truly wonderful.

Cape Batis Nest?

River view

At one spot I paused to take a photo and something flitted past my eyes and landed at my feet. On close inspection I discovered a largish moth that looked just like a leaf. I would never have seen it if it hadn’t flown right in front of me. The number of butterflies, praying mantises, dragon flies and other insects was amazing. A tribute to the owners for not using poisons on their orchards.

Leaf look alike moth

One of the days dawned overcast and cool, so we set out to do the Draai se Kloof walk. From the campsite it’s roughly a 2km walk to the start (you can drive there) and on the way we passed the off-grid campsites. They are tucked away along the river , with basic amenities, but if you want to be alone in the bush they would be perfect for you.

Shower at Antjie/Naguiltjie off grid campsites

Draai se Kloof is one of two hikes up the mountains on either side of the kloof. The views up and down the kloof are spectacular. It is a steep hike, but the views make it worthwhile. We climbed under an overcast sky with some light drizzle and were thankful for the coolness, especially as it had been 38^o C two days earlier. On the way down I was startled to see Carol tumble head first into the bushes. She missed her footing on a steep step on the path and landed in a prickly bush with her feet in the air. I got the fright of my life and grabbed her arm to try to pull her to her feet. Not a good idea, I almost pulled it out of its socket! She was actually laughing so much that it took her quite a while to eventually get to her feet. Thankfully the only damage was a few scratches and bruises. Enough excitement for the day!

View up the kloof to the Winterberg mountains

View back down the kloof

There’s a lot to do in the area. Hankey is just 31km from Humandorp and from there it’s a short hop to Jefferys Bay, with it’s world famous waves at Super Tubes; Aston Bay with the Marina Martinique and Cape St Francis, all worth exploring. A must do is a meal at La Chamelion in Humansdorp (not open on Sundays). Just outside Hankey is the Phillips Tunnel and Berg Venster, as well as Mooihoek Strawberry farm. Mooihoek is open for strawberry picking and meals at their restaurant during strawberry season. Hankey is only 12km from Patensie – the gateway to Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area – one of the most beautiful areas in South Africa. You can read more about this area in a previous blog of mine.

As usual the time passed too quickly ans soon it was time for us to pack up and return home. Innikloof is now firmly on our list of places to visit again.

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