About Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
The Free State's largest nature reserve is a combination of the 36 487 ha Gariep Dam on the Orange River and an 11 237 ha game sanctuary on its northern shore.
Did you know? The Gariep Dam Nature Reserve has the largest population of springbok of any reserve in the country.
From the Gariep dam some 200 000 ha of land is irrigated, by means of a tunnel of 83,8 km, delivering water to the upper valleys of the Fish River, and then from another 13,2 km tunnel to the Sundays River.
The Gariep dam covers some 374 square kilometers. With the supply of some 455 million litres of water to the dry Karoo region around it, the hydro electric scheme generates 600 000 kilowatts of power, as well. Situated between Bloemfontein and Colesberg in the Free State, the Gariep Dam is an ideal place to stop over on your way between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Adjoining the Gariep Dam Nature Reserve and close to the Gariep Dam Wall, is the privately owned Aventura Midwaters Resort, with an extensive range of sporting and entertainment facilities that are available to the whole family, like swimming, tennis, golf, trampolines, bowls, mini golf and water sports.
Water sports and attractions include sailing, power boating, canoeing, skiing, angling and sporting. A tour through the dam wall could also be done, down to the bedrock - an amazing feat of engineering that beholds your eyes.
Need to Know
WhereGariep Dam Nature Reserve, Free State, South Africa
WhenBest during daylight hours.
OvernightStay in Gariep Dam Accommodation, Free State
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your reserve, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inGame & Nature Reserves in Free State
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Gariep Dam
De Stijl Gariep Hotel
De Stijl Gariep Hotel offers chic, contemporary, extremely comfortable rooms and welcoming overnight accommodation. The rooms all offer the ultim...
View Lodge
Luxury, relaxation, service ... if any of these are what you are looking for, then View Lodge should be your destination. With facilities for ove...
Chargo Boutique Lodge
Chargo Game Reserve and Lodge is a property with high hospitality standards that will leave you with a mesmerising experience, our home cooked me...
Lushof Lodge
Lushof Lodge is a guest farm 22km north of Gariep Dam and 30km south of Springfontein. Offering safe accommodation with plenty of open spaces whe...
Raptor Ridge Lodge
Raptor Ridge Lodge offers you comfortable bed only accommodation overlooking the Gariep Dam. Here you can enjoy nature at its finest; the lodge i...
Gariep Dam Rose Cottage
Rose Cottage is ideal for the 1 night stay over guest looking to break their journey or the guest wanting to spend more than 1 day and enjoy the ...
Gariep N1 Chalets
Gariep N1 Chalets are situated approximately 15km to 20km north of the Gariep Dam. Sleeping a total of 17 guests, the Gariep N1 Chalets are spaci...
Tzamenkomst River Lodge
Tzamenkomst River Lodge is a highly desirable premium hospitality destination that offers restful accommodation in spectacular surroundings. The ...
Karoo Nights
Karoo Nights offers bed & breakfast and self catering accommodation on a working farm in Venterstad. Choose from 12 comfortable en-suite rooms (b...
Gariep Gardens
Gariep Gardens offers accommodation in three very private, yet different units, with each unit having its own parking bay and access to the fully...
Stoneridge Guesthouse
Stoneridge Guesthouse is neatly nestled on the hills of Gariep Dam and overlooks the intriguing valleys of the Bo-Karoo. Stoneridge's peaceful st...
Siloam Village
Situated at Oviston Nature Reserve at Lake Gariep, Siloam Village offers great accommodation for those seeking a more tranquil laid-back break wi...
Angela's Lodge
At Angela's Guest Lodge you can unwind in a modern and well furnished accommodation unit. The Lodge is divided into three very unique units; each...
Royal Hotel Bethulie
The Royal Hotel aims to offer guests the complete Bethulie experience. Highlights include musical recitals, visits to artists, stargazing and a g...
Things to do in the area
Dine at the De Stijl Gariep Hotel
If you plan to stay overnight in the Karoo, be sure to enjoy some real Karoo hospitality and fresh produce at the De Stijl Gariep Hotel. This eat...
Gariep Dam MTB Trails
Where: Gariep Dam Forever Resorts, near Venterstad or NorvalspontLevel: easy; trails for family on gravel roadsType of route: various out and bac...
Noteworthy attractions
Karoo Gariep Conservancy
Karoo is a “quenna” word meaning “dry and hard”. Gariep is also a “quenna” word meaning “big water”or river. The Karoo Gariep Concervancy is foun...
Tankwa Karoo National Park
The 80 000 hectare Tankwa Karoo National Park, proclaimed in 1986 and still in a development stage, is at present in a veld recovery phase and it...
Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve
Lying just south east of Koffiefontein in the south western Free State, Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve on the Riet River is not usually visited e...
Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve
Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve is one of the most accessible game reserves in the Free State. Situated in Bethuli, you can get there from Bloemf...
Oviston Nature Reserve
The Oviston Nature reserve lies close to the little Karoo towns of Venterstad and Oviston roughly two hours' drive from Bloemfontein. That it is ...
Accommodation near Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Free State Accommodation / Xhariep Region Accommodation / Gariep Dam Accommodation