Leopard Trail, Beaverlac

About Leopard Trail, Beaverlac

Start: Beaverlac campsite, Kouebokkeveld
Finish: Beaverlac campsite, Kouebokkeveld
Duration: about 3 hours if you take it easy
Fitness: it's an easy trail
Our tip: the highlight of this trail is all the rock pools along the route
Contact: Beaverlac on Grootfontein farm 022 931 2945 (keep trying if they don't immediately answer)
When: avoid winter, when it rains (it can get icy, this is the Koue Bokkeveld!); on the other hand, it's a perfect time to avoid the crowds!

Beaverlac Nature Reserve is a Cape Town institution. When it comes to weekend camping, their campsite is probably THE space for families and friends to hang out. It is shady, the ablution blocks are beautifully hewn from stone of the area, and there is a little shop that caters to everyone's basic needs (arrive last minute without braai wors and they can probably accommodate you).

Which means it can get really busy, particularly in season. Given that nabbing a good site happens on a first come, first served basis it pays to get there early. If you like your space, book into one of the cottages.

Be prepared to camp out of season, and manage the rather hairy descent through the Olifants River Mountains, and the beauty of the space is all yours.

Leopard Trail
This trail is the only marked route on the farm. As a result, it is fairly popular. It starts at the main mountain pool and waterfall close to the campsite.

Because it follows the river, it is a great trail to do on a hot day. At the same time as walking and boulder hopping one gets to rate each of the rock pools (and there are many) en route. As a result, even though the walk is not long, it can end up taking ages as it's difficult not to swim at each pool.

If you want to do this as a day visitor, you'll need to book in advance.

Beaverlac falls into the Cape Leopard Trust Boland Project, and gives sanctuary to leopards. The reserve also borders the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness (near Porterville).