Noorsekloof Nature Reserve

About Noorsekloof Nature Reserve

The Eastern Cape is abundant in fascinating fauna and flora. It has a unique combination of species and is rich in its biodiversity. The Noorsekloof Nature Reserve is dedicated to showing some of this off to locals and visitors alike. This reserve is situated in Jeffrey’s Bay, and has been a formal conservation site since 1984.

Did you know? Bird-lovers should look out for the Knysna Loerie, Knysna Woodpecker and Paradise flycatcher in the Noorsekloof Nature Reserve.

The nature reserve is roughly 200 metres wide at its narrowest, widening to about 400 metres in the heart of the kloof. It lies in amongst homes and neighbourhoods, an adjoining narrow greenbelt connecting it to the beach. Its narrowness, and the fact that it lies in amongst residential development, places it under constant threat.

The Norsekloof reserve is predominantly valley bushveld, a plant type that has received little publicity, unlike fynbos, and is thus barely conserved. Valley bushveld occurs in hot, dry valleys and rivers and is dense, sometimes even impenetrable thorny or succulent shrubs.

Over 50 bird species, including the Knysna loerie, Knysna woodpecker, and paradise flycatcher make the reserve their home and a beautiful three kilometre trail alongside a stream begins at the entrance to the kloof in Eland Street, ending in Dogwood Circle.

Because the Norsekloof nature reserve is essentially a long strip of green through the suburbs of Jeffrey's Bay, in parts barely visible for the homes, it and the green belt that feeds in from either side function as a green lung for residents.

The downside of its position in amongst so much development, is that it suffers from neglect as a result. Locals have got together and formed the Kloof Nature Reserve Area for Residents in a bid to try and preserve and maintain the reserve and the adjoining green belt areas. They aim to repair bridges that have washed away in storms, and write up a chart of all the available bird species in the reserve, amongst other initiatives.