Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve

About Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve

Set close to the little community of Blinkwater, Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve lies on the Post Retief road, almost equidistant between Adelaide and the historical town of Fort Beaufort, in the Amatola escarpment.

Did you know? Adelaide is a charming little town some 37 kilometres from Fort Beaufort, one of the largest towns in the area.

This roughly 2 000 hectare reserve conserves scarce Dohne sourveld and some of the most beautiful afromontane forests in the country set deep in ravines and valleys.

Riveting views of the Hogsback and Katberg mountains are one of the major drawcards of the reserve, but the birding opportunities easily second this – here you can catch a glimpse of the vulnerable Cape parrot, Knysna loeries, eagles and other birds.

On its escarpment you will find grassveld, home to zebra, wildebeest, antelope, mountain reedbuck and the odd tree dassie. There are also picnic and braai areas alongside a dam in the shade of an old oak tree, and the opportunity to swim and bird watch.

Four circular trails through the reserve make it popular with walkers, and hikers reguarly do the two-day, 25 km hike using the accommodation available in the reserve as a place to overnight.

The reserve has a large number of horses too, ideal for those who love riding. Climbers head out here to scale the 56 bolted routes in the hard dolerite rocks set in thick bush. Climbing is entirely at your own risk. Well known rocks have names like Sunset Crag, Orange Wall (which is said to be a real challenge), Birthday Crack, Lactic Acid Trip, Snort, Miscreant, and Cookie Monster. The reserve was first climbed during the 1980s.