Game Reserves in Witbank, Mpumalanga
The Witbank Nature Reserve
The 900 hectare Witbank Nature Reserve, situated on the outskirts of Witbank and bordering the Witbank Dam, offers grassland, wetland, and woodland areas home to a variety of wildlife and birdlife. Witbank Dam is a popular fishing dam, and although it’s a reputedly difficult dam to fish, there are several varieties of fish to be found here.
Wildlife
The nature reserve offers the chance to spot wildlife such as eland, wildebeest, kudu, waterbuck, impala, springbuck, zebra, hyena, snakes, otters, and the occasional leopard.
Birdlife
There are plenty of birds in the reserve which can be spotted from bird hides or picnic spots.
Environmental Education Centre
The Environmental Education Centre if a fantastic facility where groups can partake in numerous activities or projects in a theme of their choice (including water, alien plant life, insects, trees, wetlands, animals, etc). The cost for these is R20 per child and R30 for adults to cover the entry fee into the Witbank Dam Resort and the activity resources used.
The nature reserve is open to day visitors. While no private vehicles are allowed into the Witbank Dam Reserve, a parking area near the gate provides 24 hour security. This provides peace of mind for day-visitors and overnight hikers to the reserve.
Ezemvelo Nature Reserve
Ezemvelo Nature Reserve is one of South Africa’s best- kept secrets, only an hour’s drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport & 45 minutes from Pretoria. The reserve is home to 22 plant communities, more than 286 bird species, and a variety of small and large mammals including kudu, leopard, aardwolf and brown hyena. Ezemvelo boasts insects and trees unique to the reserve, some featured on the red data threatened species list, spectacular cliffs, huge rock formations, the only ancient rock paintings open to the public in Gauteng and magnificent views over the Wilge River. Situated between the grassland and savanna biomes, elements of both biomes are contained within the reserve, making it biologically diverse and exceptionally valuable ecologically.
Ezemvelo is unique as tourists have the opportunity to get a “hands-on‟ interaction with nature. While many reserves will not allow visitors to step out of their car, Ezemvelo offers the opportunity to experience the reserve on foot, bicycle, horseback or horse-drawn carriage. Tourists can also use a game drive vehicle or their own car, with experienced guides available. Children of any age are allowed into the reserve.
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Loskop Nature Reserve
The well known Loskop Dam Nature Reserve can be found deep in the Cultural Heartland of South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province. The Loskop Dam is a 27km long dam which makes it the largest dam in the Southern Hemisphere. The dam measures over 2 350 hectares and is situated within the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve which itself is comprised of 23 000 hectares of picturesque bushveld. The Loskop Dam reserve covers 230km², of which 23km² comprises of water.
The Loskop Dam Nature Reserve is a luscious paradise and home to an abundance of vibrant birdlife and exciting wildlife. In fact, there are over 70 species of mammals on the reserve including 3 of the Big Five, the Buffalo, White Rhino and Leopard. It is, therefore, a protected area. Other fascinating wildlife such as hippo, warthog, giraffe, plenty of bucks and other wildlife abound in the spectacular Loskop Dam reserve. Game viewing by boat, watersports and hiking trails afford visitors the opportunity to explore all the wonders of this tranquil and picturesque area.
The Loskop Dam Nature Reserve is situated in a Malaria-free environment with a lovely subtropical weather and summer rainfalls. The weather is therefore perfect all year round. Fishing is a major attraction in this reserve and every year more than 1500 avid anglers flock to the dam to take part in the Light Tackle Boat fishing competition. The most desirable species found in this dam are carp, blue and red-breasted bream, yellowfish, sharptooth catfish, eels, mudfish, and many more other species.
The Loskop Dam Nature Reserve also affords travellers the opportunity to enjoy many other activities such as horse riding and paintball. Loskop Dam Nature Reserve is an ideal holiday destination and within minutes of bustling little villages and farming communities. For the ideal getaway destination in tranquillity and beauty, take some time to explore the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve.
Read more on Loskop Nature Reserve
| More info on the town of Witbank | More info on the Highveld and Cosmos area |
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