Nature Reserves near Paarl
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and are not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
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Riebeek Kasteel (27.6 km from Paarl) Bartholomeus Klip Reserve is teeming with herds of eland, springbuck, black wildebeest, zebra and bontebok. Many other animals, such as baboons, bat-eared foxes, lynxes, and smaller species of antelope, live here too, and it is known that leopards still occur in the mountains.Among the birdlife at Bartholomeus Klip is the world’s largest bird, the ostrich, once farmed here in large flocks at the height of the ostrich feather boom in the 1870s and today one of the leopard’s favourite foods. The magnificent black eagle (correctly known as Verreaux’s eagle) nests in the mountains, and the enormous dam near to the farmhouse has a spectacular array of water birds, some resident like the fish eagles and the kingfishers, and others such as the pelicans and the spoonbills less regular visitors. Flamingos have also been seen in some of Bartholomeus Klip’s smaller dams and there are a host of interesting large and small birds out in the reserve and on the wheatlands, including large flocks of the blue crane, South Africa’s national bird.
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Jonkershoek Nature Reserve (29.2 km from Paarl) Beautiful well-maintained and managed nature reserve approx 15km from Stellenbosch. A favourite for Stellenbosch residents and well worth the visit. Offers an amazing array of trails suitable for mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers.
The trails will suit the novice to the most experienced athlete. Stunning waterfalls and rivers are easily accessible and make an ideal picnic excursion for the family. Cash required to pay for entry permit at the gate.
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Somerset West (40.6 km from Paarl) Initially a wild flower garden, the 407-hectare Helderberg Nature Reserve was proclaimed a reserve in 1960 to preserve an important enclave of Mesic Mountain Fynbos.Along with the incredible plant diversity, the reserve has a rich fauna. Visitors can experience bontebok grazing at any time of the day and some 169 species of birds have been recorded. Look out for three types of tortoise – the mountain tortoise, the angulate tortoise and the padloper.There are several lovely walking trails, of which only the Brown Route is non-circular. Facilities in the reserve include an information centre, plant herbarium, gift shop, indigenous nursery, resource centre, walking paths and benches, Oak Café restaurant, picnic area, facilities for the disabled and ablutions.
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Plattekloof (47.5 km from Paarl) A short drive from the centre of Cape Town is the 300ha Tygerberg Nature Reserve where bontebok once again roam freely after a 100 year absence.
The name “Tygerberg” is a legacy of early settlers, who mistakenly identified endemic leopards as “tijghers”.
The reserve protects the critically endangered renosterveld vegetation.
Activities include hiking trails, picnic areas, views of Cape Town, a variety of animals and bird watching.
The reserve’s Kristo Pienaar Environmental Education Centre features a resource centre, library and herbarium where geography, biodiversity and ecology lessons are offered. Booking is essential.
Open every day except Christmas Day.
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Melkbosstrand (59.5 km from Paarl) Eskom controls 3000 ha of West Coast around the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station. In keeping with both Eskom's environmental policy and national conservation trends, Eskom has decided to open this property to the public. Grysbok, Steenbok and the larger Duiker are buck species in the area and Bontebok and Springbok have been introduced as well. The elusive African wild cat, Grey mongoose and genet can also be seen. 153 Bird species can also be observed. A hidden treasure in the reserve is a large underground lake that supplies a lot of the surrounding areas with water.
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Rondebosch (62 km from Paarl) This public open space has many walking paths. The ever changing landscape and pretty seasonal endemic flowers, birds, butterflies and other creatures making it a great escape from rush-rush of everyday life. Dogs, children and their accompanying adults make it a great meeting place for the neighbourhood. The sunsets are stunning and in the winter mists you may see Blue Crane,and the natural ponds abound with tadpoles. It is 5 minutes walk from the guesthouse.
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Kleinmond (63.1 km from Paarl) The Kogelberg Nature Reserve has an amazing network of hiking trails along the coast and in the mountains. The trails pass through pristine fynbos and provide breathtaking views of the sea and mountains.
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Bettys Bay (71.1 km from Paarl) The incredibly scenic Harold Porter Botanical Garden is situated between the coast and the mountainside. The garden is renowned for its waterfalls, amber pools, deep gorges and abundant birdlife.
Deep in the heart of the fynbos region, it is one of the best places to explore coastal fynbos. And its vast – there are 10 hectares of cultivated fynbos as well as 190 hectares of natural fynbos!
Keen hikers should lace up their boots and hit the Leopard Kloof Trail. The 3 km round trip leads through fern forests and up to a waterfall. You’ll need to get a permit and pay a key deposit.
Need to know? Opens at 08:00, closes at 16:30 on weekdays and at 17:00 on weekends and public holidays. The parking area closes at 18:00 in winter and 19:00 in summer. Keen gardeners can purchase plants from the indigenous plant nursery.
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Noordhoek (76.1 km from Paarl) Silvermine Nature Reserve forms part of the Table Mountain National Park and offers numerous trails for walking or hiking. A detailed map of the trails can be purchased from Noordhoek Village tourism office for a nominal fee.
The Silvermine Hiking trail allows one to see some of the world’s most spectacular coastal and mountain scenery which is rich with a variety of flora as well as bird and small animal life. There are a large number of different Proteas and other fynbos species, flowering throughout the different seasons; making this an enjoyable and interesting walk at any time of the year.
One of the easiest and most accessible walks leads from the car park at the top of the mountain to the Silvermine Reservoir. This is an easy 1 – 1 ½ hour walk and is suitable for all members of the family. From the parking area the trail is well marked and heads predominantly uphill although it is not particularly strenuous. The trail winds through remarkably different vegetation and you will enjoy a number of boardwalks over the streams.
On hot summer days you will find the wooded banks verdant with tree ferns a pleasantly cool and peaceful spot to linger. Surprisingly the trail heads through some small forest glades. The path wends its way up well-maintained wooden walkways and the occasional rustic bridge until reaching the dam wall. Stop along the way to admire the spectacular views across False Bay where on a clear day you can see clear across to Gordon’s Bay.
A number of quaint stone benches and tables are dotted along the path where one can picnic or braai. It is best to check at the ticket office beforehand – lighting of fires may be prohibited in dry and windy conditions. During hot summer days, people often take a cooling swim in the clear water. In early autumn there are an amazing variety of flowering plants including Proteas.
On the opposite side of Ou Kaapse Weg, just after the apex, is another entrance manned by the Parks board where one can park and walk up Silvermine River Valley to a small waterfall, passing a number of old ruins. The waterfall offers the perfect spot to take in the sounds of nature. Like so many of the waterfalls on Table Mountain, this one is only seen in its full glory in winter, but it is also a great peaceful picnic spot.
Need to know? There is a small entry fee or free for Wild card holders. There are toilet facilities at the parking area.
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Hermanus (82.2 km from Paarl) Situated in the Kleinrivier Mountains on the northern side of Hermanus, Fernkloof Nature Reserve incorporates mountain fynbos as well as a pocket of evergreen forest. A 60 kilometre network of trails provides the opportunity for people to go out and enjoy some exercise and fresh air. These trails offer stunning panoramic views of Walker Bay, the Hemel en Aarde Valley and Maanskynbaai.The reserve is a haven of biodiversity with 1474 species of plants recorded. Parts of the coastal area including the Cliff Path Nature Area, the Mossel River valley and the area from De Mond to Kettle Point, including the mouth of the Vogelgat River and part of the Klein River lagoon have recently been incorporated. This means that the coastal area with its unique fynbos, the mountain fynbos as well as the sensitive lagoon area is now linked.Keep your eyes open to spot grey rhebok, Cape grysbok, klipspringer, baboon, mongoose and dassie. Birds that you are most likely to see are Cape sugar birds, sunbirds, rock thrush and rock jumpers. Raptors include the jackal buzzard and black eagle. You can also spot seed and insect-eating species such as Rameron pigeons, canaries, flycatchers and white-eyes in the patches of forest alongside streams.Need to know? Fernkloof Nature Reserve is open from 7am to 7pm.