Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve, South Africa

Western Cape Game Reserves

Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve, Western Cape

Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve

Waenhuiskrans is the alternative name for Arniston - the town with two names - a beautiful little seaside village that functions as one of the only places between the village of Stanford and De Hoop nature reserve with a real hotel.

Formerly known as Waenhuiskrans until a ship by the name of Arniston was wrecked here, the village is a much sought after holiday residence because of its sea views and stands on a hill overlooking the harbour, approximately 190 kilometres from Cape Town and close enough to Cape Agulhas to claim a share as the southern-most tip of Africa. The name also serves as the title for the nature reserve lying but a short distance from the village where one can view the tidal cave for which it is named – a cave so large that an ox wagon and its span of oxen could make a comfortable about turn whilst still in the cave.

Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve

Access is not possible except at low tide, but a 1.5 kilometre walk takes you to the spectacular cave from the beach - along a road, a bit of a climb up and down sand dunes, followed by a wade through a couple of tidal pools (make sure you have shoes with which you can walk over barnacle encrusted rocks). There are actually two caves, the first of which is fairly low and shallow, whilst the second, and more famous one, leads off that - well worth the effort.

The ‘Waenhuiskrans Grot!’, or wagon house cliff cave is the main attraction of the Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve, which is an extended area of sand dunes and some superlative views of the coastline. There are lovely walks through the reserve, and, as 4x4 vehicles are no longer allowed on the dunes, the reserve is at once restful and peaceful.

Additional Reading:
For a first hand account and more details of the hike to Waenhuiskrans Cave, see our article at "Wading out to Waenhuiskrans Cave - All its cut out to be".

Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve

Accommodation nearby

For accommodation convenient to Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve, see these towns:
• Arniston • Bredasdorp • Elim • L'Agulhas • Malgas • Napier • Struisbaai
• Baardskeerdersbos • Pearly Beach

Or to see all accommodation in the area at once, visit Cape Agulhas Accommodation or Western Cape Accommodation.

Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve

Featured Attractions / Destinations

Cape Agulhas

Cape Agulhas, or the place where two oceans meet, lies at the furthest tip of Africa, a region that includes the towns of Arniston, Bredasdrop, L’Agulhas, Napier, Elim and Struisbaai. Historically, the cape has been known to sailors as particularly hazardous, notorious for ... more information

Waenhuiskrans Cave

Waenhuiskrans (wagon house cliff) is the highlight of a visit to Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve in Arniston. What makes the Waenhuiskrans Cave so exciting is the low-tide leap-and-a-bit to reach it, over barnacle-encrusted rocks with one's eye on the sea for the odd freak wave ... more information

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game and nature reserves in the western cape