Julius Gordon Africana Centre |
|
The internationally recognised Julius Gordon Africana Centre (Versfeld House), built in 1880, houses the largest collection of Thomas Bowler paintings in South Africa.
Included in the permanent exhibition are works by Jan Volschenk and Johannes Meintjes (both natives of Riversdale), Irma Stern, Pierneef, Maggie Loubser, Gregoire Boonzaaier, Erich Mayer, Terence McCaw, Ruth Prowse and Pieter Wenning. |
|
| The Julius Gordon Africana Centre, located in Langstraat (Lower Long Street on Google) only 300 metres from the De Doornkraal Boutique Hotel, features Khoisan rock paintings and stone implements, Africana furniture of the region, and the history of Riversdale. Modern man (Homo sapiens) lived in and around the Riversdale area from as far back as 130 000 years and more ago (see below Blombos Cave: The Cradle of Modern Humans). Some of their ancient stone artefacts can be seen at the Julius Gordon Africana Centre (Versfeld House). This is an experience not to be missed. | |
Blombos Cave: The Cradle of Modern Humans |
|
| The famous Blombos Cave is a short distance (30 minutes) from Riversdale. The important findings of the archaeological excavations at Blombos, led by professor Christopher Henshilwood, provide unquestionable proof of the origin of modern intelligent human beings in this area around 77 000 to 133 000 years ago. The Blombos Cave was the home of the first intelligent human beings on earth, the Homo sapiens. They were people who had crossed the divide between animals and humans and had cognitive and conative talents like today's human beings. Since the discovery of the Lascaux caves in France archaeologists believed that the modern Homo sapiens evolved between 100 000 to 150 000 years ago, but did not develop modern thought processes and behaviours until 40,000 years ago. The findings at Blombos Cave proved this hypothesis wrong |  |
| The archaeological excavations at Blombos Cave, overlooking the sea in the Riversdale district near the fishing town of Stilbaai clearly indicate that our Blombos ancestors had already begun thinking in a modern way 133 000 years ago. Delicately crafted stone and bone implements discovered there precede the comparable European artefacts by more than 80 000 years. More than 8000 pieces of ochre, commonly used as colour pigment in artwork, were found in the Middle Stone Age layers of the Blombos cave. The cave was inhabited by successive colonies of these people who were hunting, fishing and gathering seafood in the vicinity. Moreover, these prehistoric occupants painted their bodies red for rituals and carved abstract symbols. The interaction of a unique climate, rivers, sea, fauna and flora of the area created an ecosystem favourable to the evolution of humans as thinking and sensitive beings. The Patron of the Blombos Cave Project is Nelson Mandela. More scientific information can be found at www.svf.uib.no/sfu/blombos. | |
Sleeping Beauty Mountain Hiking Trail and Bird watching |
|
| This trail covers a distance of 13km from the old Toll House to the crest of Sleeping Beauty and back. It is an easy walk and numerous streams are crossed. An abundance of birdlife can be seen while wandering leisurely through the Fynbos. Birdlife in the area includes the Blue Crane, the national bird of South Africa. Water bottles are re-filled where the trail meets the Yellowwood forest at the top of the ravine. From the forest the trail winds its way to the top behind the Sleeping Beauty mountain peak. The last stretch is 1.5 km to the crest, from where you will have the most magnificent panoramic view of the Langeberg Mountain Range. | |
 |
Protea species encountered on the Sleeping Beauty mountain trail are speciosa, grandiceps and coronata. The large variety of Erica makes this route a paradise for the Erica enthusiast. The Erica blennagrandiflora, unique to the Riversdale area and also known as the Riversdale Orange Heath, as also, the Erica inclas and Erica papyraracea, are three of the rarest heath species found. |
| At this point hikers can return to the Toll House and De Doornkraal Boutique Hotel. Alternatively, hikers can continue their journey along the contour road descending gradually in the direction of the Klein Karoo, passing through a Stinkwood forest 6.5 km from the crest. Overnight huts are available at Rooiwaterspruit approximately 4 km away. | |
Riversdale Golf Course |
|
Riversdale golf course boasts a 9-hole, 18-tee golf course, which is situated on the banks of the Vette River. This exceptionally well-manicured and maintained course has the reputation of being one of the most scenic in the Southern Cape. Golfers can also enjoy meeting the friendly locals in the clubhouse after a round. Riversdale Golf Club is one of several golf courses in the Hessequa Municipal district, birthplace and home of 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen. |
 |
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve |
|
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve lies at the edge of the Garden Route at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains just 35 minutes’ drive from Riversdale. Grootvadersbosch is characterised by indigenous forest and hosts several breathtakingly beautiful and family friendly hiking trails. The picturesque valleys support a variety of fauna and flora, and birdwatchers in particular will enjoy this natural home of the Red-chested Cuckoo (CuculusSolitarius, also Piet-my-vrou). |
|
| The ultimate wilderness experience can be enjoyed by using Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve to access the BoosmansbosWilderness area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which, with 70 km of unmarked trails, epitomises nature in all its glory. It represents a 15,000 ha wilderness area that is unblemished by human presence. Only 12 hikers at a time are allowed into this dramatic mountain terrain. De Doornkraal Boutique Hotel can arrange your visit. | |
