Kologha Forest Reserve, Eastern Cape

About Kologha Forest Reserve

The home of the second largest natural forest in the country, after Knysna Forest, the Kologha Forest Reserve (sometimes also spelled Xhologha for those who can’t pronounce the Xhosa name, which means peace) lies alongside the Kubisi Forest about 8 km north west of Stutterheim, about three hours from Port Elizabeth, (286,0 km) on the N2 National Road.

Did you know? Make sure to walk the Kologha wheelchair friendly boardwalk from the picnic site to the first waterfall.

The forest rests above the Kologha valley in which lies one of the little town’s biggest secret attractions, Gubu Dam, looked after by the Stutterheim Trout Angling Club. A refuge for flyfishers and canoeists (no power boats on this dam!), the water, surrounded by pines, is thick with rainbow and brown trout. And from the dam is an MTB route that heads up Mount Thomas, across through forest and then down again to the dam.

The back roads through the forest to the timber plantation offer even further mountain biking paths, and horse riders the chance to outride. These forest roads are also great for hikers in search of Knysna turacos, which you will hear call from the canopy above (a good sighting entails hours of patience).

Head to the main picnic site at Kologha Forest Reserve and you can amble for anything from three to seventeen kilometres through lush forests in which live the endangered Cape parrot, Narina trogon and samango monkey (admittedly usually high in the canopies).

The area, known as the Amahlathi, is the only place in the world in which three species of cycads grow close together in the wild. It is also home to other endangered and rare species like the Amatola toad, Hogsback frog, golden mole and Penningtons Opal butterfly.

Forestway Outdoor Centre lies on the edge of the Kologha Forest Reserve in a converted forest station, offering outdoor experiences and environmental education camps for all ages, but particularly school camps.

Need to Know

WhereKologha Forest Reserve lies +/- 8km north west of Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, South Africa

WhenDaylight hours.

OvernightStay in Stutterheim Accommodation, Eastern Cape

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