Baardskeerdersbos at a glance

The first written mention of Baardskeerdersbos can be traced to 1660. An expedition team of five men, sent by the founder of the Cape Colony, Jan van Riebeeck, reported on the valley and its Khoikhoi residents.

No doubt the little expedition will have spent the night in the open air and will have encountered the small spider-like creatures called "Baardscheerders" ("Beard Shavers") known for cutting hair for nest-making purposes.

Today the village is known as Baardskeerdersbos (Baardscheerders Bosch) or, more informally, as Bbos.

The fertile Bbos valley in the heart of the Overberg is one of the most undisturbed and original areas of the region.

It is a rural drive of 25km from Gansbaai en-route to the southern-most point of the African continent, Cape Agulhas.

Apart from the traditional cattle and dairy farms , bright-green vineyards and multi-coloured flower-farms mark the landscape. Bbos is also home to several pristine and rare Fynbos habitats of the original + Cape Floral Kingdom. A new trend is that of winemaking, which is presently carried out on a small scale. In addition, some residents are making olive oil and preparing table olives.

Due to the unique combination of Fynbos, agricultural fields, dry and ravine forest systems, the Bbos valley has a rich birdlife and patient visitors will have the chance to have eye-to-eye meetings with the five antelope species of the area or see the local wild baboon tribe on the edge of the mountains.

The Bbos valley is a haven of tranquillity surrounded by tourism hotspots such as Gansbaai, famous as the best place in the world to see Great White Sharks and Southern Right Whales. A visit to the nearby Danger Point Peninsula is recommended for insights into maritime history. The Strandveld museum in Franskraal is also worth a visit. Walk with a local guide through our neighbouring town, Elim - an old Moravian mission station steeped in history.

The Elim-Agulhas region has a number of wine farms producing excellent wines. Many have cellars that are open for tasting and wine sales.

Drive through nature and stroll around the unpretentious village between studio venues. Enjoy wine, coffee, and good food at the local restaurants & pubs.

Bbos will undoubtedly see changes in the future, but the locals of the village and its valley pledge that the change will be positive.

Property Types

• Houses
• Townhouses
• Apartments
• Small Holdings
• Vacant Land

Schools

• Uilkraal Primary School