- many greenbelt conservation areas
- mountains, forests, bushveld, valleys and plateaux
- the mighty Fish River and Kowie River flow nearby
- many varied nature and game reserves with buffaloes, shy blue duikers, abundant birdlife
and the rare and protected cycads
- walking tours through the town and public gardens
- hiking trails
- enjoy the 18km Mountain Drive through the commonage above the city
- The Botanical
Gardens
- pleasant walks
- flora from around the world
- rare and protected cycads
- Great Fish River
Reserve Complex
- 45000ha
- 40kms north east of Grahamstown
- long river frontage of the Great Fish River allows magnificent views of the river
- conservation area of rugged beauty
- popular amongst tourists
- includes the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve, Sam Knott Nature Reserve and Double
Drift Nature Reserve
- picnic and camp sites on the Great Fish River banks
- a circular game-viewing
- game includes eland, springbok, steenbok, black rhino, Cape buffalo, hippos and over
2000 kudu
- hunting in zoned areas (hunting lodge)
- over 225 species of bird
- a hide at a seasonal water pan offers excellent bird and game viewing
- walking and hiking trails
- accommodation at four lodges (converted colonial farm houses) and other
- information centre
- several forts (legacies of the frontier wars)
- horse-riding and fishing
- educational tours
- the Inyathi Game Camp in the Double Drift Nature Reserve boasts white
rhino, blue wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and waterbuck
- Ecca Nature Reserve
- 126ha
- found on the Fort Beaufort Road
- varied historical, geological and environmental features
- Thomas Baines Nature
Reserve and Settlers Dam
- 1005ha
- 12km south from Grahamstown
- valleys and plains
- mainly valley bushveld vegetation with fynbos, wild olives, euphorbia and white ironwood
- home of the Palmiet River
- 15km of roads for drives
- game includes the unique Addo race of the Cape Buffalo, white rhinos, black wildebeest,
eland, mountain zebra, red hartebeest, kudu, bushbuck, impala and other buck
- over 170 species of birds include a various types of kingfishers
- no hiking trails
- picnic and braai sites at Settlers Dam recreation site
- angling at Settlers Dam bass fishing
- sailing, board-sailing, canoeing and non-power boating at the Dam
- environmental education centre
- Blaauwkrantz Nature
Reserve
- 200ha
- found on the banks of the Blaauwkrantz River
- indigenous vegetation
- prolific birdlife
- acquatic life in the river and pools
- rock climbing
- environmental education centre
- rock climbing
- Fort Fordyce Nature
Reserve
- found north of Grahamstown
- small reserve
- forests include yellowwood and milkwood
- game includes wildebeest, kudu, zebra and blue duiker
- eagles, Knysna loeries, sunbirds, flycatchers, hornbills and barbets
- 4 circular day trails
- 2 day trail (overnight hut)
- Waters Meeting
Nature Reserve
- found on the Kowie River
- canoe route begins at Port Alfred and finishes 20km upstream at Horseshoe Bend where
there is a hut
- canoes for hire
- valley buhveld and grasslands
- game includes kudu, bushbuck and bushpig
- birdlife includes water fowl and raptors
- Kowie Nature Reserve
- 200 ha
- linked to the Waters Meeting Nature Reserve
- small reserve with the Kowie River as one entire boundary
- dense vegetation
- rare and protected cycads
- game includes blue duiker
- prolific birdlife
- picnic and braai sites on the river banks
- hiking trail |
