Anysberg Nature Reserve, South Africa

Western Cape Game Reserves

Anysberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape

Anysberg Nature Reserve

Anysberg Nature Reserve lies in the Little Karoo between Ladismith, Laingsburg, Touwsrivier and Montagu, and is approximately four hours drive from Cape Town. The Anysberg reserve offers the visitor some of the most striking scenery in the Karoo as well as fascinating wildlife and plants and various recreational activities.

Anysberg Nature Reserve was established in 1988 in order to conserve the local veldtype and to eventually re-introduce game species which historically occurred in this region. In 1995 an adjacent 10 000 ha was purchased, and the reserve now comprises an area of 44 515 ha. The landscape alternates from gently undulating terrain and Karoo plains to rugged mountains with steep gorges. The Anys, Touws and Prins Rivers, tributaries of the Gouritz river system, flow through the reserve.

Anysberg lies within the Cape fold mountains and the vegetation is transitional between mountain fynbos and typical Little Karoo veld. The plant life ranges from eye-catching succulents to impressive stands of proteas which occur at higher altitudes.

Anysberg Nature Reserve

Wildlife within the Anysberg Nature Reserve includes steenbok, duiker, gemsbok, red hartebeest and numerous other small, shy species. Leopard roam the mountains and other notable carnivores include black-backed jackal and caracal. Bird-watchers will find this an interesting destination as approximately 180 bird species have been recorded. Reptiles are represented by five species of tortoise, boomslang, Cape cobra, puff adder and various other snakes and lizards.

Numerous archaeological sites are dotted over the Anysberg Nature reserve. Bushman paintings depicting scenes from the past and ruins dating from the late 1700s are reminders of the early hunters, farmers and herders who inhabited the area. Anysberg offers the visitor a choice of several recreational activities. Hikers are most welcome to explore the reserve, although at present no formal trails exist. A two-day guided horse trail with a comfortable overnight stop is an ideal way to see the remote areas of the reserve. Mountain bikers may use the jeep tracks which traverse the Anysberg reserve.

Anysberg Nature Reserve Contact - Telephone +27 (0)28 425-5020.

Anysberg Nature Reserve

For accommodation conveniently situated to the reserve, see these towns:
• Barrydale Accommodation • Beaufort West Accommodation
• Calitzdorp Accommodation • De Rust Accommodation
• Herold Accommodation • Klaarstroom Accommodation
• Ladismith Accommodation • Oudtshoorn Accommodation
• Prince Albert Accommodation • Sanbona Accommodation

Or to see all accommodation at once, visit Karoo Accommodation.

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game and nature reserves in the western cape