In the heart of the Little Karoo lies a pristine nature reserve where
you and your family can enjoy an exclusive break-away holiday in a
safari-styled bush camp. Close your eyes and imagine – for a few days you will
be the only explorers in an area covering nearly 10 000 ha of fynbos, mountains
and kloofs.
With a choice of various day hikes and a 4x4 route a visit to the
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve in the Rooiberg range between Oudtshoorn and
Calitzdorp, is a must for those in need of a change from the sun and sea of the
coast.
The reserve, which is managed by Cape Nature Conservation, also forms an
ideal base for trips to other attractions in the Little Karoo. Gamkaberg is
situated 35 km from both Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp. Enjoy wine-tastings in
South Africa’s port capital, Calitzdorp, or cool down at the Calitzdorp Spa,
only 12 km from Gamkaberg. Day outings to Oudtshoorn’s crocodile and ostrich
farms and the world famous Cango Caves, will definitely be a worthwhile
exercise.
You are guaranteed of an exclusive experience in nature, as the
Tierkloof Bush Camp is the only overnight facility in the reserve and is
restricted to one group from R220 per
night for four persons.
It is hidden in a remote corner of the reserve and surrounded by shady
acacia trees. The neat site consists of a kitchen and living area and sleeps
eight people, four in safari-style tents, complete with camping cots and
mattresses.
The camp abounds with hidden surprises, which lend a sense of luxury in
spite of there being no electricity. Gas and paraffin lamps provide both
comfort and atmosphere. It will be wise to buy sufficient firewood at the
reserve, as the cosy lapa holds the promise of late night conversation around
the campfire under the star-spangled Karoo sky. A cement dam with a wooden deck
provides cool relief from the summer sun. Even the romantic visitor is catered
for. A wooden bench under an indigenous tree above the campsite is the ideal
place for lazily watching the sun set over the Swartberg range.
Five day routes criss-cross the reserve. The most popular, and certainly
the most scenic, is the Tier Kloof route through a shady kloof fringed by
indigenous forests and breath-taking fold mountain cliffs. An overnight route
may also be followed to the Oukraal overnight site, which consists of a basic
shelter partly covered by a rock overhang. The site is also available to 4x4
groups who want to spend a night in the mountains.
The best way to explore the reserve is by following the Zebra Crossing
4x4 route. It consists of stony, steep terrain and although a vehicle with
traction on all four wheels is required for this challenge, the route should
not cause too much tension for the beginner. It ends on a plateau with a 360-degree
vista of the whole Swartberg range in the north and the Outeniqua Mountains in
the south and guarantees excellent material for photographs. The fee is R130
per vehicle and the excludes reserve entrance fee.
Keen game-spotters may even be lucky enough to see a little herd of Cape
Mountain Zebras cantering down the slopes in the distance. Gamkaberg is one of
four CNC nature reserves, which form a habitat for populations of these
endangered “pajama” chaps. Also making their regular appearance are other buck
species like red hartebeest, eland, klipspringer and duiker.
The Little Karoo has become synonymous with ostriches, but at Gamkaberg
you will be surprised by the rich variety of bird life – from various larger
birds of prey to South Africa’s smallest bird species, the fairy flycatcher.
The variation in plant types, from mountain fynbos, dry fynbos, succulents and
tracts of shrub, to patches of indigenous forests in the kloofs, is the
aspirant botanist’s dream.
Those who want to know more about the reserve, will find answers to
their questions in the well-equipped information center at the entrance.
The reserve welcomes day visitors, but to book this piece of the Little
Karoo for a holiday, you have to contact the Cape Nature Conservation Reservation
Office in George at 044 874 2130 or e-mail george@cnc.org.za. For more
information, visit their website on
www.capenature.org.za
