Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

About Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Lying in the Little Karoo is the remote Gamka mountain range, isolated because of the conduit of the Gouritz River that slices between the Gamkaberg, and its nearest neighbour, the Rooiberg.

Did you know? Trekking up the Tierkloof ravine is what most visitors to the reserve pursue, and there is a bush camp with incredible views over the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges, for comfortable overnight stays.

The Gamkaberg Nature Reserve encompasses almost the whole mountain range, established in 1974 to protect a population of endangered Cape mountain zebra, and what was left of their natural surrounds; the Cape lion that once roamed this area - the Khoi word ‘gami’ is the derivation of the Gamkaberg - was already extinct.

The Gamkaberg Nature Reserve lies but 33 kilometres south west of Oudtshoorn, a rugged and mountainous terrain characterised by deep ravines, incredible rock formations, and Bokkeveld sandstone and shales.

Fynbos, arid fynbos, succulent karoo and riverine vegetation are the dominant plant life.

It is home mainly to the Cape mountain zebra, whose numbers now exceed the dismal five left in 1976 after six were shot by a local farmer, and the honey badger; although you will also find a number of antelope that include the klipspringer, red hartebeest, eland and others.

Hiking, 4x4 trails, kloofing, bird watching, and over twenty rock art sites make it more than worth a visit, and mountain biking through the 30 kilometre ‘incredibly wild’ overnight trail, newly established in the shadow of the Rooiberg, is a highlight.