The 900ha Mount Bain’s Private Nature Reserve sanctum is located in the Breedekloof Valley, between the busy towns of Wellington in the west and Ceres in the north east, and an 80km drive from Cape Town, South Africa.

The reserve offers complete seclusion where the only noise you will hear is the rustle of leaves and chirping birds. The design and layout of the cottages are in keeping with the surroundings, the wooden decks looking out over the valley where various antelope roam and baboons forage. Other animals frequenting the area are leopard, caracal, porcupine and black eagle. In winter, the surrounding peaks are capped with snow.

For those who enjoy eco-tourism activities, Mount Bain’s Private Nature Reserve is a picture-perfect destination.

Top 5 reasons to visit Mount Bain’s Private Nature Reserve

1. Collect a self-guided tour map of the Bainskloof Pass from the Wellington Info office to fully appreciate the beauty of this mountainous region and the engineering feats undertaken to build the 27km pass.

2. Visit the Tweede Tol (second toll) picnic site to hike the trail leading up to a waterfall. Laze in numerous rock pools in the Witte (white) river along the route. Note that the resort only admits 120 visitors per day, arrive early!

3. The 12 cellars making up the Wellington wine route welcomes all visitors. The route is scenic and wine varieties range from dry white to full bodied reds. Wellington is the home of the dried fruit industry.

4. The malaria-free Fairy Glen Private Game Reserve in Worcester offers game drives to view the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and enjoyable African style meals at their restaurant.

5. Take the stomach churning 3-hour zipline tour in Ceres for a combined length of 1.4km along 8 slides surging high above the Skurweberg Mountains.

Transport

The nearest airport is Cape Town International, 80km from Mount Bain’s Private Nature Reserve. Order a car rental online or collect at the airport. Car rental agencies are also based in Wellington and Ceres. Taxi and shuttle services operate from Cape Town, however, a car rental is the most practical method of transport.

Did you know?

Bainskloof Pass is believed to have a ghost that appears on stormy nights. In 1895, a young woman drowned during a flash flood and many travellers have heard her shouts of “Wait for me! Please wait for me!” echoing through the valley.

Thomas Geddes Bain was the architect and builder of the Bainskloof Pass. He came into the business of roadbuilding by offering to build a road – at no cost – near to an Eastern Cape town. The residents were so grateful, they gave him a medal! Bain was also a renowned geologist, author, a journalist and artist, and contributed to the identification of important fossil sites.