History of Leopard Rock and Oribi Gorge

Posted on Posted in History of Leopard Rock, Leopard Rock

History of Leopard Rock and Oribi Gorge

This 4 ha property belonged to Happy Day Tours form the early 1930s to 1964. According to our older guests (who have been bringing us their photos as proof) the most famous activity was to book a Tour to Oribi Gorge at the office in Margate. They offered tours to the Oribi area in a little ‘bread box’ bus up a dirt road (which must have been fun in the rain season!). This included a visit onto the overhanging rock which hangs over approximately 2.5m. If Mr Clyde Sussens (from Tshukudu Game Farm – Nelspruit Area), who used to visit the farmers in the area was around they would fetch him and his tame pet leopard Suzie (that travelled everywhere with him) to pose with the group on the rock for ‘really dramatic’ pictures. We have an original article from the local South Coast Herald from 1948 with Clyde and Suzie on the overhanging rock – this was how Happy Day Tours used to advertise this specific Tour.

In 1964 Happy Day Tours sold the property to a private owner so from then on there was no access back onto the rock. We (Andries & Sue Bruwer) bought the property in September 2000 with the idea of building a house, we started clearing all the invader plants and rediscovered the overhanging rock which was hidden in the overgrowth. The neighbors told us that it was on this property, but it was so overgrown that it took a while to find it. We decided to open a view site for people to be able to come and see it again, and got such an overwhelming response with so many people asking why they could not have coffee and cake with this view, that we decided to open a Coffee Shop.

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2 thoughts on “History of Leopard Rock and Oribi Gorge

  1. Hi, I have photos of the leopards rock woth Suzie the leopard, from my dad’s old photo album. If interested let me know. I will scan and send copies. There was also photos of a group at Chiltley’s Guest Farm. Don’t know if that rings a bell.

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