Game Pass – Kamberg …

Autumn is the picture-perfect season for a hike in the mountains. Beautiful crunchy days that allow you to see so far that you feel like you are intruding on the future, while keeping you very much present as you scout the path up ahead and your footsteps.
We decided to use our half term break from the monotony of routine and explore the stunning nature around us. We headed to Game Pass Shelter from the Kamberg Reserve starting at the Rock Art Centre. After a little bit of a family scramble, and a rush here and there, we got up to the start mid-morning. Selby presented himself very soon after our arrival as our guide and local “fountain of knowledge”. What a gem he proved to be!
The hike up to the rock art was approximately 2 kilometres, mostly on the contour path but leading up to a descent hike up to the shelter. We passed protea bushes – mainly past their best before date but still showing a few wares -, different rock formations and a plethora of butterflies. The butterflies were beautiful. All sizes, shapes and colours. We passed under a water fall and had a drink from the crystal clear, cold berg river. Once I had had a quite toast to a precious departed soul who has left this earthly realm that morning, we headed on to the climax of the hike.
The rock art itself was mind blowing. The first rock art to ever be discovered in South Africa, it is dated to be over 3000 years old. In terms of deciphering the meaning of rock art throughout the world, this art was the vital piece of information and helped the academics worldwide understand the San message and meanings. Selby explained the various drawings and the stories on the panels. There was the panel showing the transformation from an eland into the hunter. The San people held the eland in very high regard, particularly in terms of religious significance and they believed that this power could be transferred over to the hunter after a successful hunt. Another panel showed the shamans in religious ceremonies and other panels showing various animals that the hunters encountered. The fact that these have survived years through extreme weather and elements is awesome and that we can share and view these finds is a real privilege. The informative video that they offer after the hike is well worth the few minutes to watch it. It also gave me a chance to sit down and take my shoes off and catch my breath! It shows the life of the san people and the changes that progress has brought. Giving a little insight into the local village and its people.
I rate this adventure as a 5/5 and a must see before we lose this bit of our history forever ….