Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve
Nature reserve in South Africa From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nature reserve in South Africa From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve (Afrikaans for war-gorge), covers 4,776 hectares (11,800 acres) and is located 10 km south of Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve | |
---|---|
Oorlogskloof Natuurreservaat | |
Type | Nature Reserve |
Location | Nieuwoudtville |
Coordinates | 31°29′26″S 19°02′54″E |
Area | 4,776 hectares (11,800 acres) |
Designated | 1971 |
Camp sites | 10 |
Hiking trails | Four (2 day trails; 2 overnight trails) |
Website | Northern Cape Tourism |
The Oorlogskloof River gorge runs along the eastern border of the reserve; the western part is bordered by the Knersvlakte. Numerous streams dissect the mountainous terrain, resulting in gorges, 36 natural pools and waterfalls throughout the reserve.[1][2][3]
There are also examples of rock art in caves found beside some of the plateaus of the reserve.[4]
The reserve got its name from a battle that took place between indigenous Khoi people and local farmers in 1739.[5]
In 1971 it was declared a nature reserve.[6][7]
In 2012, the Department of Environmental Affairs funded the construction of 10 log cabins that accommodates 15 people each, along with solar panels and septic tanks, pedestrian bridges, stream crossings and 3 boreholes.[2][8] Alien invasive species like Black Wattle, Port Jackson, Eucalyptus and Prosopis were also removed at certain locations.[2] And hiking trails and access roads were serviced.[2]
Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve is found in the Karoo and Fynbos biomes.[9] The wagon tree, Protea nitida, and a diverse range of Namaqualand flowers can be found here.[3]
The reserve contains a multitude of bird species, which include Verreaux’s eagles, booted eagles, black storks and African harrier-hawk.[9]
The following fish species can be found on the river in the reserve:
There are also the unwanted local species of banded tilapia, and alien bass and bluegill sunfish, which pose a major threat to the endemic fish found in the reserve.[1] Freshwater mussels can also be found in pools in the reserve.[1]
There are a couple of day and overnight trails (that take 4-5 days to complete), totalling 146 km in length,[9] with 10 log cabins.
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