The Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, south-west of Oudtshoorn, is situated in the Gamka Mountain Range, between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains. This 10 000-hectare CapeNature reserve, established in 1974 to protect the indigenous herd of Cape mountain zebras and their natural habitat, is small, but has a great ecological diversity – not to be missed.
The flora of the reserve offers four of the South African biomes in one place, namely the fynbos, succulent Karoo, subtropical thicket and evergreen forest, and is of great interest to botanists. Take knee pads with you, because it’s at ground level that you’ll find some of the most interesting inhabitants! The best times of the year to see these plants are in spring and autumn, but visits throughout the year can be rewarding.
Besides the Cape mountain zebra, the reserve is home to leopard and the rare honey badger. There are also many antelope species including eland, red hartebeest, grysbok, grey rhebuck, klipspringer, duiker and steenbok. Other mammals include baboon, caracal, aardvark, aardwolf, black-backed jackal and numerous smaller species. The reserve is host to a wide variety of birds, reptiles and insects. Gamkaberg is also rich in Khoisan rock art and early marine invertebrate fossils. Due to a landslide, the 4×4 trail is currently closed, and hiking is around the accommodation and camping area.
The reserve, which is malaria free, is between the summer and winter rainfall areas, so rain can be expected at any time of year, but the average rainfall is low in this fairly arid region. Summers can get very hot.
The reserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Day visitors can browse the information centre, enjoy finding their way through the new labyrinth, take short hikes and use the picnic or braai facilities. The reserve is ideally suited to the visitor who will enjoy the peace and tranquillity.
Accommodation is rustic with three eco-lodges that are safari style tents on decks, with splash pool and a kitchen/lounge area and adjacent lapa. In addition, the stables and campsite offer comfortable facilities with all the basics in place. Firewood is for sale at the reserve office.
To make a booking please contact the reservations office: National callers: (021) 483 0190: International callers: 0027 861 227 362 8873.
| More info on the town of Oudtshoorn | More info on the Klein Karoo area |
