The extended nature conservation area around the dam of Sterkfontein is characterised by rugged mountains, endless expanse and a lot of water. Besides long walks and hikes, it offers watersport and fishing facilities in the dam.
Oribi, reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, grey rhebuck, the bald ibis, the blue and whitebellied korhaan, the buffstreaked chat, the ground woodpecker and the sentinel are found in this reserve covering 18 000 ha.
Bearded and Cape vultures as well as black and martial eagles and secretary bird are also found.
Yellowwood, wild peach, koko tree, silky bark, black bark and bush guarri flourish in the sheltered kloofs. Wild grape has twined into the tree tops where they form a dense leafy canopy. Fungi and lichen nestle against living and rotten tree trunks.
The mountain slopes are decorated with wild myrtle, redwood, ouhout, hush guarri, highveld protea, silver sugarbush and the scarce tree fern.
The prevailing winds at Sterkfontein Dam make it ideal for sailing. The reserve is also a popular spot for angling, game viewing, biking and hiking. A two-day hiking trail has been established.
How to get there
Access is from the R74 on the Oliviershoek Pass from KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith.
From the Bloemfontein and Gauteng (via N1) areas it can be reached from the N5 or the N3 over Villiers and is about a four hour drive from both areas. |
|
