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Gamtoos is believed to be a corruption of a Khoi Khoi word meaning "wily as a lion". This was also the name of the Khoi Khoi tribe who lived here centuries before anyone established farming in the area. The valley is only about 50km long as the crow flies. The name Patensie is believed to be a corruption of the KhoiKhoi expression, meaning "resting place for cattle".  The Kouga Dam is situated 25km from Patensie and provides irrigation for the Gamtoos Valley. It was completed in 1967 and first called the Paul Sauer Dam. The wall is 365m long and 95m high. It is situated 7km off the road to the Baviaanskloof. In 1876 the farm of Patensie of 3000 morgen was awarded to David Keyser Jnr. The main agricultural activity in the area is the packing and export of oranges grown in the valley. Visiting Patensie's citrus packhouse, gives you an idea of the extent of the citrus industry in the valley. Besides oranges, the valley boasts an extraordinary variety of farm produce like potatoes, tobacco and vegetables.  Information obtained from www.baviaans.co.za/index2.html Route descriptions Things to do in the Baviaanskloof 
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