Keurbooms River Nature Reserve

Keurbooms River Nature Reserve

Head off towards Nature’s Valley from Plettenberg Bay on the N2 and Keurbooms River Nature Valley lies roughly 8 km along the major route of the N2.

The beautiful Keurbooms River nature reserve that stretches over a distance of 2500 hectares, is bisected by the Keurbooms River and overlooks the estuary. Despite the fact that the estuary below the N2 bridge falls outside of the boundaries of the reserve, it remains one of the finest examples of a tidal river mouth the Garden Route has to offer. The easily accessible Keurbooms River estuary gives no indication of the incredibly convoluted journey of the mother river, which winds its way downstream from its source in the Langkloof, north of the main Tsitsikamma Mountain range. It wends its way between mountain valleys providing a spectacular, unspoilt gorge within the reserve well worth visiting.

The banks of the Keurbooms River are lined with dense afromontane forests of stinkwood, yellowwood, ironwood, and the western keurboom, after which the reserve is named. The Keurbooms River reserve is home to a wonderful display of birds - including the Knysna lourie, giant kingfisher, Knysna woodpecker and an array of sunbirds - wild pigs, monkeys, blue duiker, mongoose, the Cape clawless otter and antelope.

One can either hike along the river (roughly one hour) or canoe upstream for the opportunity of a quiet and soulful commune with nature. No power boats are allowed upstream beyond the 4 km mark providing calm, quiet waters marred only by the call of birds and the subtle voice of the forest.