The Jonkershoek area, which includes the adjacent and smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, serves as a mountain catchment area, whose crystal torrents flow from the Boland Mountains to provide water for the town of Stellenbosch and its environs.

In Assegaaibosch, visitors will find an old farmstead, built in 1790, which is now a national monument and a rather swish self-catering guesthouse. Also within Assegaaibosch is what was once a colonial trout hatchery (now used by the University of Stellenbosch for research purposes), an interesting fresh-water aquarium, a wildflower garden that hosts a variety of fynbos species, and a picnic area with braai (barbeque) and ablution facilities.

From the Jonkershoek entrance gate, a circular dirt road of about 10km bumps and winds around the valley edges. Apart from a pleasant drive, this is a great way to get your bearings, before attempting anything more strenuous. All along the road are signs marking recognised trails that run off into the heights, as well as trails that run down to the Eerste River, where the less adventurous can relax and picnic.

For the energetic and adventurous, Jonkershoek offers a variety of activities.  Maps and permits are available from the reception.  Jonkershoek offers four hiking trails ranging from about 5km to tough 18km trails and Assegaaibosch has two gentle walks.  Mountain biking is also a popular pastime in the reserve, which has a number of trails to choose from – some suitable for the whole family and others suitable for adrenalin junkies.  The fishing facilities available in Jonkershoek cater for the novice as well as the experienced flyfisherman.  Private tutoring can be arranged for those wanting to fish in the nine still-water dams at the conservation office complex, while others may wish to set up their fold-out chair on the bank of the Kleinplaas Dam in the middle of Jonkershoek.  An entry fee paid at the gate allows access to the dam, but a recreational freshwater angling licence is also required.

Jonkershoek and Assegaaibosch can quite easily be visited as a same-day trip from Cape Town.  To get the best out of both reserves, overnight in Stellenbosch or in the historical and stately, self-catering Assegaaibosch homestead.  Remember to take along warm clothes and rain gear as conditions can deteriorate rapidly, but never forget to take along a swimming costume as well!

 

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]]> 18.93457984924316406,-33.96863174438476562 Walker Bay Nature Reserve lies on the south-western Cape coast, just east of Hermanus and covers about 4300ha. The reserve comprises five coastal areas lying between Hermanus and Die Dam (near Struisbaai). The largest area, known as Walker Bay, stretches from the Klein River estuary to De Kelders at Gansbaai. The largest area, known as Walker Bay, stretches from the Klein River estuary to De Kelders at Gansbaai.

Access to the reserve is via Mierkom or Walker Bay Fishing trail (through Stanford); De Kelders (Die Plaat) or Uilkraalsmond. An entry permit is required and can be obtained at the gatehouses at De Kelders, Uilkraalsmond and Walker Bay Fishing Trail. Alternatively, permits can be obtained from the Walker Bay Nature Reserve office at 16th, 17th Avenue, Voëlklip, Hermanus during office hours (Monday to Friday 08:00–16:00). The reserve is open daily between 07:00 and 19:00.

Mierkom/De Kelders/Uilkraalsmond:

Walker Bay Nature Reserve offers no accommodation but day visitors are welcome to enjoy a variety of day hikes along the coast. Angling, swimming and picnicking are permitted, but please note that the sea can be rough and dangerous. Fires and overnight camping are not allowed.  Marine Coastal Management regulations apply to the removal of bait and other marine organisms. Permits for marine angling are available at post offices.

Please avoid disturbing coastal birds and destroying sensitive dune vegetation. Litter must be removed and vehicles are to stay within demarcated areas.

Walker Bay Fishing Trail:

The trail is located in the Lêbos section of the reserve and access is via Stanford. Also known as ‘Die Plaat’, this area is characterised by long, white, sandy beaches and occasional outcrops.

The trail gives anglers easy access to popular angling sites along this stretch of coast, such as Die Polle, Sopiesklip, Groot Duifklip and klein Duifklip. It begins at the reserve entrance next to Wortelgat, passing through the reserve to the first top and parking area at Die POlle. From here the route continues to Sopiesklip where beautiful rock formations make this an ideal picnic stop. Anglers still looking to hook “the big one” can travel further along the route and try their luck at Groot Duifklip or Klein Duifklip.

In addition to fishing, visitors can enjoy day hikes along the coast, swimming, birding, whale-watching and picnicking.

Please note:  Only 4x4 vehicles are allowed on the rail (no 2x4 vehicle, motorcycles or quadbikes). It is strictly prohibited and illegal to drive on the beach, dunes or anywhere other than demarcated roads.

Interesting information on archaeology, plants, animals and other:

Archaeology:

There are significant records of Middel Stone Age people (from about 85 000 to 65 000 years ago) occupying the Klipgat Cave in the eastern section of the reserve (De Kelders). There is also evidence that during the Late Stone Age (about 2000 years ago), Khoisan people inhabited this site and lived off the plants, fish, shellfish and game in the area.

Natural attractions:

Lowland Fynbos, also known as strandveld, is the main type of vegetation found in the Nature Reserve, and includes species suchas bietou, blombos, sour fig and waxberry. Parts of the dunefields were stabilised from the early 1900’s until the 1980’s using rooikrans and port Jackson. These alien species are invasive and, together with uncontrolled coastal development; pose a threat to the indigenous strandveld. They are currently being removed by reserve management via an alien clearing programme.

Most of the mammals found in the reserve are shy and seldom seen, although the tracks of Cape clawless otter, bushbuck, duiker, grysbok and steenbok are occasionally spotted. Off-shore, Southern right whales are frequent from August to November, while Bryde’s and humpback whales, and various dolphin species occur throughout the year. There are numerous species of seabirds, including the striking African black oystercatcher. This species is threatened by coastal recreational activities as it breeds on beaches during summer. A variety of marine fish are found along this coastline, including kabeljou steenbras and sought-after galjoen.

OpenAfrica.org

]]> 19.37999916076660156,-34.47000122070312500 Lismore Farm has been in the Barry family since 1844, before which it was used as a horse-breeding farm for the Dutch East India Company.  A post office trading post was established where transport riders exchanged horses.  In later years Thomas Barry planted and grew tobacco.  The first cold storage plant and rooms in South Africa were erected on the farm and can still be seen today.  Cigars were produced (the holders in which the cigars were made and the certificates dating back to that time can be seen on request).  The enterprising Thomas Barry laid a pipeline through the farm and erected a Pelton wheel driven by water.  Lismore Farm had electricity before the town of Swellendam.

There is an option of two accommodation venues at Lismore.  The Lismore mountain cottage is set on the tranquil slopes of the Kleinberg and overlooks the green fields of the farm.  It sleeps eight people and has two bathrooms.  The Lismore log cabin is built from solid logs and is situated on the edge of the river.  It too, like the mountain cottage, is placed at the foot of the mountain with a view of the green fields of Lismore.  The cabin sleeps six people with two bathrooms.  Both cottages boast gas lamps and candle light. Guests only need to bring bedding or ask for it when booking (pillows are provided).  A bag of wood and a bottle of fresh farm milk are also provided at arrival.

Various activities are on offer on Lismore Farm, including swimming, fishing, hiking and cycling.  Bird-watching is also a pleasant pastime.  Horse-riding can be arranged, but guests are also welcome to simply wander around the beautiful farmlands or relax at the cottage.  With luck, one might see the very scarce and very shy bushpig.

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]]> 20.68350028991699219,-34.00339889526367188 Few other reserves offer as complete an outdoor experience as De Hoop and with accommodation to suit all tastes. There are hiking, biking and vehicle trails. There is the sea, dunes, a vlei, birds, game, rare plant species and a mountain. And then there are the whales.  Along with the Cederberg Wilderness Area, De Hoop is one of the province’s most well-known reserves and the highly popular Whale Hiking Trail has only enhanced the dimension of all there already was to enjoy here.

 

De Hoop was proclaimed a reserve in 1957. It was used for the breeding of animals, such as the bontebok and the equally rare Cape mountain zebra. Today, with 36 000ha under its control (one of the largest remaining examples of indigenous lowland and coastal fynbos), management’s goal is to nurture the natural ecosystems typical of this region.  To take the objective further, a marine protected area was proclaimed in 1986. It covers the reserve’s coast and extends 5km out to sea.

 

De Hoop has thirteen self-catering cottages or units, from basic, to fully equipped. But even the basic cottages are comfortable.   Some of the cottages sleep four, while others sleep up to ten guests, and one is a large dormitory-style facility.  The reserve has ten campsites each with parking for a caravan. They are situated amongst trees near the De Hoop office and the cottages, and look out over a section of the vlei.  They have their own taps and braai (barbeque) places. There are no power points, but there is hot water at the ablution block and washing up facilities. Limited freezer space is available at the office.

 

Birding, mountain biking, swimming, snorkelling, walking, driving… there are endless possibilities for activities at De Hoop.  The De Hoop vlei is a wetland recognised by the Ramsar Convention as being of international importance and is the home to a variety of birds.  Biking is possible on most of the roads around the De Hoop side of the reserve, and no special permit is required, but the dedicated trail on the Potberg side requires advance booking and a permit, and a little more than a holidays-only approach to the sport.

 

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