Situated in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, PaardenKloof Estate spans 1,430 hectares on the northern slopes of the Babilonstoring Mountain Range in the Overberg. The area is rich in both natural beauty and cultural heritage. The farm’s history stretches back to the early 1800s when Voortrekkers used the high-altitude valley to shelter their horses from the tsetse fly - giving rise to the name “PaardenKloof,” Dutch for “Valley of the Horses.” Wild horses still roam freely around the Bot River lagoon, evoking the estate’s namesake.

The land’s significance predates colonial settlement. Two ancient rivers - the Gouka and the Leeu - originate on the property and were used for millennia by the Khoisan to water their Nguni cattle. “Gouka” stems from the Khoisan word “gouga,” meaning “butter,” a product historically traded with early settlers. The Afrikaans name “Botrivier” is itself derived from this butter trade. The Leeu River, meaning “lion” in both Dutch and Afrikaans, references the roar of the water during seasonal surges. These rivers, along with the Swart Rivier, frame the estate and provide a natural, sustainable water source. The imposing Babilonstoring peak - rising to 1,167 metres, the tallest in the Overberg - towers above the valley and feeds these rivers with fresh mountain water.

PaardenKloof also reintroduced one of the region’s earliest herds of indigenous Nguni cattle, honouring both environmental conservation and traditional livestock practices. The estate reflects a deep commitment to historical preservation, sustainable farming, and biodiversity stewardship, echoing the legacy of both Khoisan and Dutch agricultural wisdom.

Botrivier itself has long been a hub of trade and culture. Originally a Dutch East India Company outpost in the 18th century, the area became a thriving centre for agriculture and exchange. The Bot River Hotel, established in the 1890s - before the railway reached the town in 1902 - served as a resting point for travellers and traders and remains a proud landmark of local heritage.