Location: South Africa » Western Cape » Karoo » Ladismith

Anysberg Nature Reserve

Anysberg Nature Reserve Hotel / Lodge accommodation in Ladismith Western Cape

Contact Details:
Reservations
Tel: 086 127 6237
Int. Tel: +27 51 924 0585

Description

Environmental education programmes are available for organised groups, either as a day visit or as a weekend camp. A maximum of 20 pupils accompanied by two teachers may be accommodated.

Five small cottages are available for hire, accommodating 21 people in total. There is no electricity, but the cottages are provided with candles, gas fridges and cooking facilities. Visitors should bring their towels and, for basic cottages, bedding as well. Cottages must be vacated by 10am on the day of departure. Campers and caravanners may camp on the lawn near the office complex at Vrede. Basic ablution and braai facilities are provided for the cottages and campers. Firewood may be purchased on the reserve.

Rustic is the key here, Five white, flat roofed cottages, ranging from basic to fully equipped, are available. All huts, excluding Agama, make use of ablution block.

Anysberg Nature Reserve lies in the Little Karoo between Ladismith, Laingsburg, Touwsrivier and Montagu, and is approximately four hours drive from Cape Town. The Anysberg reserve offers the visitor some of the most striking scenery in the Karoo as well as fascinating wildlife and plants and various recreational activities.

Anysberg Nature Reserve was established in 1988 in order to conserve the local veldtype and to eventually re-introduce game species which historically occurred in this region. In 1995 an adjacent 10 000 ha was purchased, and the reserve now comprises an area of 44 515 ha. The landscape alternates from gently undulating terrain and Karoo plains to rugged mountains with steep gorges. The Anys, Touws and Prins Rivers, tributaries of the Gouritz river system, flow through the reserve.

Anysberg lies within the Cape fold mountains and the vegetation is transitional between mountain fynbos and typical Little Karoo veld. The plant life ranges from eye-catching succulents to impressive stands of proteas which occur at higher altitudes.

Anysberg Nature Reserve

Wildlife within the Anysberg Nature Reserve includes steenbok, duiker, gemsbok, red hartebeest and numerous other small, shy species. Leopard roam the mountains and other notable carnivores include black-backed jackal and caracal. Bird-watchers will find this an interesting destination as approximately 180 bird species have been recorded. Reptiles are represented by five species of tortoise, boomslang, Cape cobra, puff adder and various other snakes and lizards.

Numerous archaeological sites are dotted over the Anysberg Nature reserve. Bushman paintings depicting scenes from the past and ruins dating from the late 1700s are reminders of the early hunters, farmers and herders who inhabited the area. Anysberg offers the visitor a choice of several recreational activities. Hikers are most welcome to explore the reserve, although at present no formal trails exist. A two-day guided horse trail with a comfortable overnight stop is an ideal way to see the remote areas of the reserve. Mountain bikers may use the jeep tracks which traverse the Anysberg reserve.

What do our users think

01.12.2009 by jacque carolus from SA

- 4/5
- It was a feast to be so for from society .Close to animals and the scenery was to die for .It was quite an adventure to be so close to the animals and their habitat .Thanks for lovely place and may God bless the management and their staff .

18.02.2009 by Susan and Quentin Baker from England and south africa

- 5/5
- Definately visiting again. Camped at site. Fantastic sun sets. Was full moon and saw what my daughter and I swear where two people dancing near the horses feed room. They disappeared into thin air as we approached. A beautiful place to escape to.