By Cal Seton-Smith
A near hidden turn-off from the meandering R102 to Jeffreys Bay, leads one down a well maintained road on a journey of discovery to one of South Africa’s best kept secrets – the point where the pristine waters of the Gamtoos River spill into the ocean.
This unspoilt river has it source many kilometres inland , in the mountains at the head of the fertile Gamtoos Valley, snaking steadily towards the coast, while picking up several feeder streams along its scenic path. The river’s name is derived from a tribe of Hottentot people who inhabited the valley when the first Dutch settlers arrived in the region.
The farmland near the mouth attracted lawyer, entrepreneur and developer, the late Colin Rushmere, who, about five decades ago, saw the potential of the area for the development of an eco-styled lifestyle resort. Rushmere bought a large tract of the farm Mauritskraal. The land included several kilometres of river frontage. More important was its unique diversity, with biospheres including wetlands, the river, lagoon, ocean, coastal dunefields and the extensive dune forest, rising up from the river bank, rich in flora and fauna.
Some thirty years later an environmental impact assessment was conducted and 350 hectares was set aside for a lifestyle resident resort which would offer residents a unique and exclusive home, shared with small game and buck and a myriad of birds, from the tiny but stunning fire finch and Cape Batiss, to the full spectrum of raptors such as the majestic fish eagle along with water fowl and rare visitors such as the Goliath heron.
The resort village, comprising private log style homes, was laid out with care, offering flowing open spaces to accommodate nature’s creatures and flora, yet offering a tidy network of unobtrusive, tarred access roads, water on tap, electricity, and importantly a resident security service and gate-controlled access to give homeowners total peace of mind – all of this supported by local administration and services.
But most important for many investors is the Gamtoos River, a fishing mecca which is an important breeding ground of the dusky cob, and many other species such as the white steenbras, grunter, leervis, and a variety of rays. Boating from the resort’s exclusive slipway, fishing, and kite surfing are major attractions, as is surf fishing.
Whether it’s hiking, bird watching, fishing, unending beach walks, or simply a lifestyle like no other, these are to be found in the unique surrounds of Gamtoos Mouth Resort.
Who wouldn’t prefer to live close to the sea surrounded only by beautiful nature?
For more information please visit www.gamtoosmouth.com
Gamtoos Mouth – Self catering holiday homes/chalets
Vanessa Kasperski
082 297 0170
jkazz9@gmail.com
Thornhill area – Jbay Zebra Lodge for upmarket accommodation
jbayzebralodge.co.za
Loerie area on the Gamtoos River – The Ferry country Hotel and Caravan Park
admin@ferryhotel.co.za
