About Aardvark Nature Reserve
The reserve spans some 3 400 hectares of the desert biome that characterises Succulent Karoo. This means that the flora is made up of an array of beautiful succulents as well as a number of other wild veld flowers that are colourful, softening the landscape.
The part of South Africa in which the Aardvark Nature Reserve is situated continues to be one of the most scenic in the country. This part of the Klein Karoo is nestled between the towns of Ladismith and Riversdale. Ladismith is at the foot of the magnificent Klein Swartberg Mountain Range, while Riversdale is a small town on the Agulhas Coast Plain, with the Langeberg and Sleeping Beauty mountains as its breath-taking backdrops. These are the idyllic conditions that the Aardvark Nature Reserve occupies.
Did you know? The name aardvark comes from the Afrikaans word meaning "earth pig".
Visitors to the Aardvark Nature Reserve are invited to enjoy the natural beauty in a number of ways. Self-guided or guided nature walks, horse safaris, game drives and themed tours are all on offer, showcasing the plants and wildlife to be found here. Some of the themed tours include a three-hour Aardvark Tour, on which aardvarks are tracked, and some of their secrets unveiled, as well as a three-hour Botanical Tour.
The Tracking Tour teaches visitors the art of tracking the animals that inhabit the Klein Karoo, providing fascinating insights into their movements, distribution and characteristics. There are also various mounting biking trails throughout the reserve. The rock formations of Aardvark are another impressive feature that make for stunning viewing – whether on foot, in the saddle or from the comfort of a vehicle.
Visitors to the Aardvark Nature Reserve can look forward to seeing a number of antelope (including kudu, springbok, and steenbok, amongst others), as well as porcupines, aardwolves, honey badgers, mongooses, Cape foxes, caracals, and hyraxes. In addition, more than 180 different bird species have been recorded within the borders of the reserve.
Cape Town is about 320 kilometres from the Aardvark Nature Reserve, and Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) is just over 420 kilometres away.
Need to Know
WhereAardvark Nature Reserve, R323, Ladismith, 6655, Western Cape, South Africa
OvernightStay in Ladismith Accommodation, Western Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your reserve, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inGame & Nature Reserves in Western Cape
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Ladismith
Karoo Escapes
Nestled against the slopes of the well-known Swartberg Mountains, Karoo Escapes covers 6 000 hectares of picturesque and untouched nature in the ...
Eden Ridge
Eden Ridge offers accommodation for up to 12 guests. It is located on a working farm 25km outside the town of Ladismith. Orchard walks, winding f...
Wildlife Centre Aloe Cottage
Wildlife Centre Aloe Cottage is a farm stay, offering accommodation for nature lovers who want to experience the magic of the Klein Karoo. Vast l...
Koedoeskloof Guesthouse
Koedoeskloof is in the Dwarsrivier, 9kms out of Ladismith in a country setting surrounded by agricultural land, fynbos, aloes and wild countrysid...
Ritorna-Me B&B
Ritorna Me Bed & Breakfast can be found in the lovely town of Ladismith, in the Klein Swartberg Mountain valley on Route 62. The rooms are gorgeo...
Oaksrest Vineyards Guest Farm
Oaksrest Vineyards Guest Farm is nestled in the fertile valley of Dwarsriver, 10 minutes drive from Ladismith at the foot of the legendary Towerk...
Karoo Wildlife Centre
Karoo Wildlife Centre is set in 260 ha of rolling Karoo hills, it is surrounded by nature conservancy and looks across the valley onto the mighty...
Volstruis Paleis B&B
Volstruis Paleis offers accommodation in four bedrooms in Ladismith, Route 62. It is ideal for guests looking for comfortable lodging which is cl...
Wolverfontein Farm Cottages
Wolverfontein offers accommodation, nestled at the foot of the Touwsberg Game Reserve on the banks of the Touws River, is conveniently situated o...
Rooiberg Safaris
Rooiberg Safaris offers guests a bush experience with game viewing and a warm welcoming environment. South Africa has a culture of friendliness a...
Matjiesvlei Guest Farm
Come and enjoy the serene and tranquil beauty of this valley, situated at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains between Calitzdorp and Ladismi...
Things to do in the area
Ladismith Cellar
You'll find the Ladismith Cellar between the towns of Barrydale and Calitzdorp in the town of Ladismith. Here you'll find fantastic brandy and wi...
Anysberg Horse Trail
For an equestrian experience of a lifetime why not get on the Anysberg Horse Trail. This two day trail takes place in Anysberg Nature Reserve and...
Stanley’s Light
This obscure landmark was created in 1963 using a bicycle lamp and other materials. He fixed it to halfway up Elandsberg Mountain as an indicator...
Buffelspoort MTB Route
This beautiful route offers rugged, steep and challenging surfaces. The trail is rather difficult and can be done as a circular route or a return...
Buffelspoort Rubicon 4x4 Trail
One of the wonderful gems of the Western Cape Province of South Africa is Buffelspoort. This is a pristine wilderness area that is also a formal ...
Self Drive Laingsburg to Ladismith
Route: Laingsburg, Seweweekspoort, Amalienstein, Zoar, Hoeko Valley, LadismithDescription: explore the rolling hills and sandstone peaks of the K...
Laingsburg Flood Museum
On 25 January 1981, the Karoo changed forever. The little town of Laingsburg was hit by what continues to be one of the most dramatic natural dis...
Kanna Biodiversity Route
The Kanna Biodiversity Route is a rural tourism route created by Open Africa as a way to draw attention to the lesser-known gems, and old favouri...
Noteworthy attractions
Anysberg Nature Reserve
In the heart of the Cape Fold Mountains, the natural abundance of the Anysberg Nature Reserve is situated in the Little Karoo of the Western Cape...
Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
In Roux Road on the outskirts of Worcester, some 120 kilometres from Cape Town, lies a unique gem of a garden - the only truly succulent garden i...
Cango Caves
Almost 30 kilometres outside of Outshoorn in the Klein Karoo, and certainly one of the main reasons for placing this little town on your itinerar...
Karoo National Park
The Karoo National Park is situated close to the N1 highway between Cape Town and the hinterland, approximately 1000 km south of Johannesburg and...
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 Gamkab...
Kammanassie Nature Reserve
Lying in the Little Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains, lies an inselberg or monadnock - an isolated hill or small mountain that...
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
At the foot of the Warmwaterberg, in the heart of the Little Karoo, between Montagu and Barrydale on the famous Route 62, the vision of the San i...
Swartberg Nature Reserve
The Swartberg Nature Reserve lies in the Oudtshoorn district between the Great Karoo and Little Karoo, bordered by the Gamka River in the west an...
Meiringspoort
The towering sandstone cliff walls and breathtaking rock formations of Meiringspoort lie on the N12 between Beaufort West and Oudtshoorn. The poo...
Accommodation near Aardvark Nature Reserve
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation / Karoo Accommodation / Ladismith Accommodation
