Baardskeerdersbos is located 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Gansbaai on the Uilkraal–Elim–Bredasdorp road. It lies on the southern slopes of a mountain called Perdekop (“Horse Hill”), at the base of the Boskloof (“Forest Gorge”) through which a small river flows south off the mountain. Just south of the village the Boesmansrivier (“Bushman’s River”) flows from east to west; the Boskloof stream flows into this river, the Bushman’s flows down to Uilkraalsmond. A dam was built on the Bushmans, Kraaibosch, that supplies most of Gansbaai and environs with water – through the Franskraal Water Treatment Plant.
Baardskeerdersbos is first mentioned in writing dating back to 1660: an expedition-team of five men send by the founder of the Cape Colony, Jan van Riebeeck, reported on the valley and its KhoiKhoi-residents. No doubt the little expedition would have spent the night in the open air and encountered the small spider-like creatures called “Baardscheerders”. Loosely translated from English into Afrikaans, Baardskeerdersbos means ‘beard-shavers-bush’. Some say the town was named after the 10-legged spiders (Solifugae) that supposedly “trimmed” hair to line their nests… while others say the local barber lived in the bushy area.
Be whatever it may, just as the quaint name, this is a fertile valley with a rural atmosphere far removed from the Urban scuttle.
Feed Me Seymour
The Uys’s are one of the oldest farming families in the environ, and if a tad on the hungry side, make a turn at Marietjies Pub and Grill. Located on the tarred main road between Uilkraal and Elim in an original old cobblestone farmhouse. Her Breakfast is fit to feed a farm and renowned throughout the Overstrand.
This is the long-standing hangout for locals because the beer is served cold, the specials are good and the service is friendly.
Marietjies Pub and Grill.
Though the Overstrand region from De Plaat to Pearly Beach is a Surf & Rock Angling Mecca, there is little freshwater diamond in BBos. Make a turn at BBos Trout for sustainably farmed Rainbow trout products.
All of our Trout delicacies are produced on the farm, fresh and free from preservatives and harmful additives.
Our Trout are Farmed in an ethical manner with the traditionally proven curing and smoking process that leads to a range of top-quality, highly sustainable and delicious trout products.
BBos Trout
[…] by Jan van Riebeeck to the area, described meeting people of the so-called Chainouqua-tribe near Baardskeerdersbos, a rural hamlet, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Gansbaai. The river flowing through the […]
[…] Uilkraalsmond head straight across the the R43 to Baarskeerderbos, continue though Bbos, on a newly tarred road to come to […]