Anysberg Nature Reserve

About 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.

Did you know? "In the face of the estimation that the riverine rabbit's numbers are in steady decline, the discovery of a population in the Anysberg Nature Reserve near Laingsburg, is a rather exciting one".

Anysberg is a four-hour drive from the capital city of Cape Town, and is surrounded by the Karoo towns of Montagu, Ladismith, Laingsburg and Touwsrivier. Its idyllic setting makes for spectacular views throughout the reserve.

The Anysberg Nature Reserve was established in 1988. The core aim of this initiative was to protect and promote the growth of the local veld vegetation and to reintroduce a number of game species that were once commonly found in the area. Eight years later, an additional 10 000 hectares of the neighbouring land was added to the reserve, bringing its total area to an impressive 44 515 hectares.

The topography of Anysberg is made up of deep gorges, steep mountain faces, rivers and rolling hills. There are three main rivers, which are all tributaries of the Gouritz River; namely the Anys, Touws and Prins. The vegetation is made up mainly of exquisite mountain fynbos with its colourful scrubby appeal, and Klein Karoo veld. This means that thorny succulents stand next to proud Proteas and showcase the true beauty of the South African countryside.

The rich vegetation and expansive areas mean that the Anysberg Nature Reserve is also the ideal habitat for a number of different wildlife species. These include the duiker, gemsbok, steenbok, red hartebeest, black-backed jackal and caracal.

The leopard is a shy predator that can, on rare occasions be spotted in the mountains. Snakes love the cool crevices that the mountains provide. Common species in and around Anysberg include the boomslang, puff adder, and Cape cobra. There are also about 180 different recorded bird species within the range of the reserve, making this a bird-watcher's delight.

The mountains and valleys that are now part of the reserve were once home to the local African tribes of the San. These were hunter-gatherers that lived off the produce of the land. They left records of their customs, beliefs and celebrations in the form of rock art, which can still be seen and enjoyed by visitors today. Some of the ruins from these early hunters as well as the farmers that followed them date back to the 18th century.

The Anysberg Nature Reserve is a fantastic spot for hikers who want to explore the landscape without having to stick to formal trails and camps. There is a guided horse trail that takes two days to complete, and offers an overnight camp, as well as a number of cycling trails for mountain bikers.