Spitskop
Nature Reserve: The Spitskop Nature Reserve was named after Spitskop, an
impressive granite koppie just outside the small town of Upington. Consisting mainly of
sandy flats interrupted by two rocky outcrops, the reserve is worth a visit not only for
its game, but also for the dazzling flower carpets covering its sandy plains after the
summer rains each year.
Game species include red hartebeest, eland, zebra, gemsbok, steenbok and large herds of
springbok. Typical bird species found here are ostrich, kori bustard and Namaqua
sandgrouse. Visitors can travel on good gravel roads while watching game. For the more
energetic there are three hiking trails, varying in length, with an overnight hut. At
Spitskop (the koppie) there is a sheltered viewpoint equipped with a telescope.