-
found in the centre of the Karoo Nature Reserve which boasts the Valley of Desolation (one
of nature's wonders)
- one of the few towns in the world surrounded by a nature reserve
- set in a horse shoe bend of the Sundays River
- a lovely and historical town committed to the conservation of both the envrionment and
its buildings
- overlooked by Spandaukop
- numerous hiking trails
- farm accommodation is popular as many hiking trails from farmhouse to farmhouse are on
offer
- game hunting
- renowned for warmth Karoo hospitality from the locals
- Karoo Nature Reserve
- 16500ha
- encircles Graaff-Reinet
- 19km game drive
- game includes numerous buck
- over 200 species of bird
- hiking trails
- home to the Van Ryneveld Dam and the Valley of Desolation
1. Van Ryneveld Dam
- offers watersports and angling
2. Valley of Desolation
- one of South Africa's most striking sights with awesome scenery
- a geological phenomenon revealing the effect of the elements and geological processes
over millions of years
- superb vantage ponts overlook sheer cliffs, huge rocks on the valley's floor and rock
pinnacles
- a toposcope at the lookout point gives a panoramic view
- look out for swooping eagles
- birdlife includes Waterfowl
- game includes duikers
- Cape clawless otters can be seen
- 6 picnic sites
- lapa complex
- an environmental education center for 40
- Valley of Desolation Hiking Trail
- 1.5km
- starts at the parking area of the Valley
- 45 minutes
- views of the Karoo and mountains
- look for Black eagles, dassies and the Cape crag lizard and numerous buck
- Eerstefontein Hiking Trail
- 3 trails of 5km, 11km and 14km
- start and end at the Spandau Kop gate
- picnic spots on the route
- look for Black wildebeest, kudu, duiker, steenbok and springbok
- hikes restricted to trail paths
- Driekoppe Hiking Trail
- overnight trail (hut accommodates 10)
- runs through the mountains of the eastern sector
- views Karoo landscape and vegetation
- look for kudu, red hartebeest, klipspringer, mountain zebra, duiker and steenbok |
