Witsand Nature Reserve, Northern Cape

About Witsand Nature Reserve

The Witsand Nature Reserve is a 2,500 hectares island of brilliant white sands surrounded by a sea of regular Red Kalahari sand close to Upington. Also known as Brulsand, or Roaring Sands.

Did you know? Large antelope including the red hartebeest, springbok, kudu and gemsbok also make the Witsand Nature Reserve their home.

Geologists who have studied the region claim that the white sand (witsand) owes its existence to an isolated range of hillocks that lie buried beneath the dunes. Ordinary Kalahari sand was caught by the koppies (hillocks) and the action of water springing from the rock below (the white sand overlies a natural reservoir) gradually removed the red coating of iron oxide from the grains.

The dunes are up to 100m high and 10km long, and emit eerie roaring sounds when disturbed by man or wind, especially in hot dry weather.

The dunes generally only roar in the months from September to April because of the hot and dry conditions at that time of the year. Rain mutes the dunes for several days but increased moisture is not thought to be the only reason.

Visitors to Witsand Nature Reserve will be surprised at the number of animals that exist here. A highlight are the meerkats but you can also expect to see pangolins and aardvarks.

If you venture on a night drive you will be rewarded with amazing star gazing due to the unpolluted skies of the region. Besides stars you're likely to see the nocturnal wildlife which includes porcupine, aardwolf and the gorgeous bat-eared fox. Also look out for Cape fox, genet, springhare and owl.

Need to Know

WhereWitsand Nature Reserve, near Upington, Green Kalahari, Northern Cape, South Africa

WhenDaylight hours.

Telephone+27 (0)53 313-1061

OvernightStay in Upington Accommodation, Northern Cape

Disclaimer

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