Gwaing river
Shell midden
Shell midden
ORIGINS
Ancient Origins and the Strandlopers
Early History (Pre 1800s – 1850s)
The human history of Oubaai stretches back into antiquity. Long before the colonial era, the indigenous Khoe people — colloquially known as “Strandlopers” — lived along this coastline, sustained by its abundant marine resources. The area between the Gwaing River and Herolds Bay shows evidence of occupation spanning multiple Stone Age periods, and the land itself originally formed part of a farm known as Buffelsfontein.
- Ancient artefacts: Early and Middle Stone Age tools, fashioned from quartzite, have been discovered here, dating back up to two million years.
- The Gwaing River: The Khoe named the river forming the resort’s north-eastern boundary “Gwaing,” meaning the place where “crocodiles once walked.”
- Shell middens: Late Stone Age shell middens — left by early coastal hunter-gatherers — remain visible near the Whale Deck and are protected archaeological treasures.
Buffelsfontein farm house
The old harbour
Farm & Harbour
The Old Farm and Harbour
19th-century harbour (c. 1852–1857)
By the 1800s, European settlers had arrived, drawn by fresh springs and abundant wildlife. The land, originally named Buffelsfontein (Buffalo Spring), was farmed by the Gericke family for nearly a century. In the 1850s, a pioneer named Mr Smuts leased a natural inlet from the Gerickes to use as a harbour. Known at the time as Dutton’s Cove, it operated between approximately 1852 and 1857, serving ships that anchored offshore to unload goods destined for George via longboats and winches — a necessary arrangement while inland transport routes were still developing.
- The Old Harbour: Ships anchored offshore, unloading cargo via longboats and winches. Among the goods imported through Dutton’s Cove was the organ for the Dutch Reformed Mother Church in George, famously shipped from Holland.
- A short-lived operation: Harbour activity was hampered by challenging coastal conditions and the development of better infrastructure elsewhere.
- A tragic end: Operations came to a close after a fatal accident in which Mr Smuts’ carriage horses bolted and plunged over the cliff. The ruins of the harbour master’s office remain visible today.
OUBAAI
The Rich Heritage of Oubaai Golf Estate
Modern luxury is woven into a rich historical tapestry. Long before the championship fairways were laid, this remarkable stretch of the Southern Cape coastline was shaped by ancient inhabitants, pioneering farmers, and visionary developers.
June 2004
Village Cascades catchment lakes
Transformation
A Visionary Transformation
The modern era of Oubaai began in 2000 with a chance meeting in nearby Herolds Bay. Champion golfer Ernie Els and Mahmoud Shehata of Kharafi Holdings shared a vision to transform the 253-hectare property into a world-class resort.
• Eco-conscious development: During the six-year, R800 million development, preserving the environmentally sensitive landscape was paramount. The golf course footprint was limited to previously disturbed agricultural land.
• Reclaiming nature: Alien vegetation such as black wattle and kikuyu grass was removed to allow coastal fynbos and indigenous forests to regenerate and thrive.
Legacy
A Legacy of Natural Splendour
Today, Oubaai stands as a model of environmental stewardship and community living.
• Sustainable living: The estate features an efficient water management system, with the golf course fully sustained by recycled water.
• A haven for wildlife: The coastline is a sanctuary. Each winter, Southern Right whales arrive from Antarctica to calve, while resident pods of bottlenose dolphins—featured in the estate’s logo—are frequently seen offshore. Inland, the 5.5 km Heritage Trail offers sightings of fish eagles, caracal (rather than “lynx”), and antelope.
Living at Oubaai is more than residing on a premier golf estate—it is becoming part of a carefully preserved and evolving legacy.