A newly opened rock art shelter at Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is a rare opportunity to experience an ancient San heritage site.

The Baboon Spruit Rock Art Shelter was officially opened to the public on Heritage Day, following a project involving Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff, the Mzimkhulu Honorary Officers and the KZN Amafa and Research Institute (Amafa).

The opening follows an assessment carried out in 2023 by Amafa, after which permission was granted to open one of the area’s rock art shelters to visitors.

There are four known rock art shelters within the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, with several others in the surrounding area.

The sites provide evidence of the area’s importance to San communities thousands of years ago, with rock paintings offering a glimpse into their spiritual and cultural practices.

Chairperson Daniel Opland, of the Mzimkhulu Honorary Officers, said opening the shelter required careful planning to protect the rock art and surrounding environment.

“The first requirement was that we needed to have a custodian of the rock art shelter,” said Opland.

To fulfil this role, Opland volunteered for specialised training with the KZN Amafa and Research Institute in Pietermaritzburg, followed by practical training in the Kamberg area.

Opland thanked Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s officer in charge, Ntombi Gcabashe and the field rangers, as well as the Mzimkhulu Honorary Officers, for their support and hard work in making the project possible.

He said rangers played an important role in preparing the route to the shelter.

The Mzimkhulu Honorary Officers also helped raise funds towards the project and assisted with the work required to make the shelter accessible.

Parts of the trail descend a steep ravine, requiring additional safety measures.

“At certain parts of the trail you descend about a 45-degree ravine, and so from a safety point of view we put in a wire rope with hosepipe over it,” said Opland.

The infrastructure was installed with minimal impact on the environment, with advice from an Ezemvelo ecologist, Dr Yvette Ehlers Smith, on where steps and other safety measures could be placed.

Signs were also installed, and hospitality staff received training before the shelter was opened.

Visitors will only be able to access the shelter with a trained custodian to help protect the fragile rock art from damage.

The shelter will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 09:00 to 15:00.

Bookings can be made through the Hutted Camp or directly with Opland.

Groups are limited to 10 people, with smaller groups potentially combined to make up the maximum.

For bookings and enquiries, contact Daniel Opland on 078-140-9691 via call or WhatsApp.

Funds raised will go towards Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s work in the nature reserve.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram