Woodbush Forest Reserve

About Woodbush Forest Reserve

The Woodbush forest reserve lies in the heart of the valley called the Magoebaskloof, a mountainous region known for its untouched afromontane forests and bird life. Woodbush is the best place in the country to see the black-fronted bush shrike, and one of the only places to sight the Cape parrot.

Did you know? The annual Magoesbaskloof Mountain Bike Classic rides through the Woodbush Forest Reserve.

Other birds in the area include the blue-billed fire finch, squaretailed drongo, and the grey cuckoo shrike, emerald cuckoo, olive bush shrike and Narina trogon.

Birders and lovers of forests alike head to Woodbush forest reserve to brave the rather neglected gravel road that leaves the top of the escarpment and heads down through the Woodbush forest to the base of the gorge. Debengeni Falls is a particularly good view point and spot at which to picnic.

Consider a high-clearance vehicle or four-wheel drive, particularly in wet weather.

Birders regard this road into the forest as the best birding drive in the province, if not the country. To reach it pass Haenertsburg on the R71 taking a left to Houtbosdorp / Woodbush roughly 2 km after the Magoebaskloof Hotel. The next right fork will take you to Woodbush Forest reserve. Expect twists and turns. At the two later forks remain left and then right.

You can also get to Woodbush Forest from the R36 from Modjadjiskloof.

Within the Woodbush Forest find a stand of the tallest trees in Africa (over 80 metres). Not only are they the tallest group of cultivated Eucalyptus in the southern hemisphere, but possibly the world. Planted in 1906 they serve as a landmark on the Magoebaskloof Trail, one of several trails that wind through the forest.