Matroosberg Nature Reserve

About Matroosberg Nature Reserve

The Matroosberg Nature Reserve lies 35 kilometres outside of Ceres on the farm Erfdeel – a working fruit, vegetable and protea farm, just two hours' from Cape Town. Summer days are glorious, whilst there is almost a guarantee of snow in winter because of the altitude.

Did you know? There are hundreds of bird species that have made the Matroosberg Private Game Reserve their home, providing avid bird-watchers with plenty for which to look out.

The Matroosberg Nature Reserve is a private nature reserve that lays claim to a sizeable chunk of the Matroosberg peak itself - the highest mountain in the Boland at 2 247 metres above sea level.

Visits to the strikingly scenic reserve are centred around outdoor action. There is an impressive 4x4 route that promises an average degree of difficulty but takes you 2 240 metres above sea level where the views, rock formations and (during winter) snow covered peaks are a treat.

If you're after more of a challenge, there is a further 4x4 trail along the river bed and an obstacle course practise area. A 4x2 trail leads to a series of rock pools. The owners advise leaving about six hours or so for the trails, so that you can also enjoy the views.

Other activities at the Matroosberg Nature Reserve include farm tours, quad biking (only utility quads allowed as preservation and 'treading lightly' are emphasised), snow boarding and ice climbing - weather permitting, fishing (there is a dam well stocked with wide mouth bass, but book ahead and bring your own rods and bait), abseiling, kloofing (an extreme two-day hike starting in the Groothoek Kloof with 12 en route abseiling points, including through waterfalls), mountain bike trails through the reserve and on farm roads, hiking, and horse riding (bring your horse for the weekend).

On a final note: the mountain and snow safari in an old Bedford truck right up the sheer cliffs of the Matroosberg is worth every frightening curve.