ROCK ART TRAIL

On the Warmhoek rock art trail visitors, together with our trained guides, explore the paintings as a journey across the landscape, visiting places painted by pre-colonial hunters and gatherers. The images are not only aesthetically beautiful, not only technically very skillfully made, but also steeped in meaning.

Because the painters are no longer alive to explain the motifs, the compositions and meanings, we seek assistance from some of their relatives, the expressive culture of the Ju/'hoansi of the Kalahari and the writings of their recent ancestors the /Xam of the nearby Karoo. Collectively these people are the San or Bushmen. At each site some of the paintings are described and interpreted with the help of Ju/'hoansi or /Xam texts or stories.

While most of the art is the work of pre-colonial hunters and gatherers, some images were painted by the herders, farmers and colonists who gradually replaced hunters across the subcontinent. Fine examples of these "finger paintings" can be viewed at Historic Shelter during the course of the trail.

On the Warmhoek trail there are six possible sites to visit, all within a five kilometer radius. Visitors can select their route depending on their fitness and available time. This can be decided when making a booking.

For bookings and more information telephone: (027) 482-1911 or email chap@lando.co.za