Bosberg Nature Reserve

About Bosberg Nature Reserve

Set on the southern slopes of the Bosberg Mountains, the Bosberg Nature Reserve is a thickly wooded nature reserve that looms over the town of Somerset East.

Did you know? A fairly unique aspect of Bosberg is that the Somerset East Museum forms part of the nature reserve.

The lower slopes and sheltered kloofs are covered with beautiful Outeniqua yellowwoods, white stinkwoods, cabbage trees, wild peaches and olives; whilst the grassy plains are characterised by Dohne sourveld and a mixture of Karoo succulents and fynbos.

Bosberg is a popular nature reserve amongst hikers, who take on the rather intensive Bosberg overnight hike, but there are walks in Bosberg Nature Reserve, such as the Bestershoek trail, that are less strenuous, and there is also a fairly good selection of mammals that allow one to stumble upon zebra, bushbuck, tortoises, bushpig, frogs, lizards and snakes.

The Knysna loerie is but one of the 83 species of birds found in the reserve. If you visit in summer or spring, you are more likely to spot the bush blackcap, Cape eagle owl and buff-streaked chat.

There are more adventurous options for those intent on more than a sedate stroll through the reserve to take in the views over the town, such as rock climbing, abseiling, gorge gliding and even para-gliding.

Views over Somerset East from Bosberg Nature Reserve are truly magnificent, and a fairly unique aspect of Bosberg is that the Somerset East Museum forms part of the nature reserve, lying at the foot of the mountain of the same name, a beautiful example of Georgian architecture with its own magnificent rose gardens and indigenous trees.