The Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve (Afrikaans for war-gorge), covers 4,776 hectares (11,800 acres) and is located 10 km south of Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
| Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Oorlogskloof Natuurreservaat | |
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| Type | Nature Reserve |
| Location | Nieuwoudtville |
| Coordinates | 31°29′26″S 19°02′54″E / 31.4905596°S 19.0484671°E |
| Area | 4,776 hectares (11,800 acres) |
| Designated | 1971 |
| Camp sites | 10 |
| Hiking trails | Four (2 day trails; 2 overnight trails) |
| Website | Northern Cape Tourism |
  Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve (South Africa)  Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve (Northern Cape) | |
Geography
editThe Oorlogskloof River gorge runs along the eastern border of the reserve; the western part is bordered by the Knersvlakte. Numerous streams dissect the mountainous terrain, resulting in gorges, 36 natural pools and waterfalls throughout the reserve.[1][2][3]
There are also examples of rock art in caves found beside some of the plateaus of the reserve.[4]
History
editThe reserve got its name from a battle that took place between indigenous Khoi people and local farmers in 1739.[5]
In 1971 it was declared a nature reserve.[6][7]
In 2012, the Department of Environmental Affairs funded the construction of 10 log cabins that accommodates 15 people each, along with solar panels and septic tanks, pedestrian bridges, stream crossings and 3 boreholes.[2][8] Alien invasive species like Black Wattle, Port Jackson, Eucalyptus and Prosopis were also removed at certain locations.[2] And hiking trails and access roads were serviced.[2]
Habitat
editOorlogskloof Nature Reserve is found in the Karoo and Fynbos biomes.[9] The wagon tree, Protea nitida, and a diverse range of Namaqualand flowers can be found here.[3]
Birds
editThe reserve contains a multitude of bird species, which include Verreaux’s eagles, booted eagles, black storks and African harrier-hawk.[9]
Fish
editThe following fish species can be found on the river in the reserve:
There are also the unwanted local species of banded tilapia, and alien bass and bluegill sunfish, which pose a major threat to the endemic fish found in the reserve.[1] Freshwater mussels can also be found in pools in the reserve.[1]
Trails
editThere are a couple of day and overnight trails (that take 4-5 days to complete), totalling 146 km in length,[9] with 10 log cabins.
Day trails
edit- Leopard Trap Day Trail - 15.5 km
- Rietvlei Day Trail - 17.9 km
Overnight trails
edit- Oorlogskloof Rock Pigeon Trail - 52.2 km and takes 5 days to complete.[10][11]
- Rameron Pigeon Trail - 52.4 km and takes 4-7 days to complete.[11]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c Moseley, Steve (1 November 2014). "Gone Fishing" (PDF). South African Country Life. pp. 72–73.
- ^ a b c d "Basic Assessment Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Northern Cape: flower-season hikes at the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve – Experience the Northern Cape, South Africa". www.experiencenortherncape.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Oorlogskloof Nieuwoudtville Klein Koebee Archaeological Project | SAHRA". sahris.sahra.org.za. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, Northern Cape". www.sa-venues.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "South African Geographical Names System". Archived from the original on 24 January 2013.
- ^ "openAFRICA". africaopendata.org. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve Upgrade | SAHRA". sahris.sahra.org.za. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ a b c "Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve – Experience the Northern Cape, South Africa". www.experiencenortherncape.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Hiking the Oorlogskloof Rock Pigeon Route". Getaway Magazine. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ a b "HIKING – Oorlogskloof: 5-Day Hiking Trail (Nieuwoudtville, SA)". Wet and Dusty Roads. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
Sources
edit- Stuart, Chris & Mathilde (2012). National Parks and Nature Reserves. Struik Travel and Heritage. ISBN 978-1-77007-742-3.
- Erasmus, B.P.J. (1995). Op Pad in Suid-Afrika. ISBN 1-86842-026-4.