WILDLIFE
Typical Karoo fynbos and a variety of succulents decorate the semi-desert terrain of the reserve, offering a natural home to small and large game alike. Klipspringer, steenbok, duiker, springbok and bontebok are of the smaller variety, and are often spotted grazing just metres away from the lodge veranda. Larger game, like giraffe, red hartebeest, kudu, eland, gemsbok and black wildebeest tend to prefer wide open spaces and are more likely to be spotted whilst out on a game drive or mountain walk. The reserve also hosts the largest herd of Cape mountain zebra, which graze and roam in abudance.
Natural predators such as the mountain leopard and caracal (rooikat), take refuge in the mountains of the reserve. Sightings of these cats are scarce as they are few in number and tend to be shy; hunting under the cover of night. The black-backed jackal and the bat-eared fox are more common natural predators whose cries and cackles can often be heard travelling through the dark stillness after sundown.
Keen bird watchers will be kept busy with more than 160 bird species gracing the skies and treetops with their presence. The black eagle, falcon and barn owl are some of the more regal birds of prey which can be spotted hunting on field mice or perching pretty in pensive surveilence. Sunbirds flutter furiously collecting nectar, while swallows gather mud and sticks to build homes for their young. The many avarian species help maintain the ecological balance of the reserve against the backdrop of blue skies, and gift the area with a symphony of birdsong.
This particular nature reserve is blessed with a fresh underground water supply. In summer the reserve is hot and dry, while in winter; rivers form and flow freely through the terrain bringing the landscape to life!
Honeybush tea, protea, erica and gladioli naturally decorate the mountains, and characteristic dwarf shrubs with succulent leaves are generously scattered far and wide. This sub-region of the Klein Karoo boasts one of the richest concentrations of succulent plants in the world; and the distinct floral areas form part of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Describe your image here
Describe your image here
REHABILITATION AT
TOUWSBERG NATURE RESERVE
Once a sheep farm, Touwsberg Nature Reserve was bought by a local farmer in 2007; and rehabilitation of the natural Klein Karoo began! Indigenous wildlife was re-introduced - including the endangered and endemic mountain zebra & bontebok.
Since the release of game in 2007, the initial herd of five bonteboks adopted the ridge on which the cottage is built, as their home. The herd consisted of four adults and one calf.
The calf was named Dale, and the dominant male was called Barry, making the duo aptly named; Barry ‘n Dale.
Since their introduction into the reserve; the herd has birthed six calves and split to form two separate groups. Barry has abandoned the initial herd and roams with three of the male calves which were born on the reserve. Barry and his bulls seem to have adopted a wider area of the reserve, and can normally be found between the southwest and northwest boundaries; while the other herd of seven roam the south end of the reserve.
The birth of the three calves was recorded between the months of September and October 2009.