The Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve lies 9km from Stellenbosch in the Jonkershoek Valley. It borders the Eerste River, the Stellenbosch Mountain, the SAFCOL plantations and vineyards. Mountain fynbos and riparian forest is the dominant vegetation, while the 135 bird species and other fauna are also worth the visit. Day walks and mountain biking is available, as well as accommodation and conference facilities in a historic homestead.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The Jonkershoek Valley was first occupied by white settlers when Simon van der Stel granted a number of freeholds in 1692. One freehold was granted to Jan Andriessen who had been a bachelor midshipman in the service of Dutch India Company and was known as Jan de Jonkheer (Jonker). Thus did he name his grant of land, "The Valley Jonkershoek".
The farm Assegaaibosch was granted to Wouter Eduard Wium by Lord Charles Somerset on perpetual quitrent in 1817 with the specific proviso that Wium should plant oak trees. The farm changed hands several times until, after years of negotiation, the property was finally expropriated and sold to the Cape Provincial Administration during 1960. The Assegaaibosch homestead was built around 1790 but later alterations caused it to lose the typical H-shape, which has subsequently been restored.
The last family to occupy the farm, the Neethlings, became famous for trapping leopards and accounted for over 200 animals.
TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE
The topography of Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve varies greatly, from the steep mountain ridges, cliffs, ravines and spurs of Assegaaibosch Kloof on its southern boundary to the almost level ground of the main Jonkershoek Valley floor.
The upper slopes and cliffs consists of resistant sandstone of the Table Mountain Group with some shale intrusions. The lower slopes and valley floor are composed of Cape granite frequently buried by rocky debris from the upper sandstone and by alluvium of old river terraces. The climate of the area is characterised by warm to hot dry summers with daily temperatures rising to 40 ºC and south-easterly winds; the winters, representing the colder, wetter months with temperatures as low as 0 ºC at night, are associated with cyclonic rains from the north-west. During winter the high peaks of the valley are sometimes covered with snow.
The mean annual rainfall is 1114.1 mm of which most occurs during the winter months. It must be noted that the degree of change in microclimate in this area is extreme due to its unique location and topography. Nowhere in South Africa is the influence of mountains on rainfall better illustrated than at Jonkershoek.
Records from succession of rain gauges up to the Dwarsberg plateau, show that rainfall increases steadily up to 3620 mm, almost five times that of Stellenbosch and is the highest recorded in Southern Africa.
Flora
Two main vegetation types, mountain fynbos and riparian forest, occur on the reserve. The former is the dominant type while the riparian forest is restricted to the banks of the Eerste River and adjoining streams.
Fauna
The Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve supports a high diversity of smaller life-forms, but because of the dense vegetation very few are observed.
Birds, of which 135 species have been recorded, are probably the most conspicuous.
The rock agamas, however, are very often encountered on the rocky outcrops where they display their typical head-bobbing antics to defend their territories. Frog calls can often be heard during the wet season. A rustle in the leaf litter can on closer observation expose one of the many ground-loving animals such as the red-sided skink or the striped mouse. Insect life is also very rich and diverse, and is especially conspicuous during spring.
The leopard, one of the 43 recorded mammalian species, is the largest carnivore occurring in the vicinity of the reserve. Its spoor can occasionally be seen on the trail after rain, but it is highly unlikely that any hiker will encounter this wary predator.
Accommodation and recreation
The Assegaaibosch homestead was built in 1790, and acquired by Cape Nature Conservation in 1960. The house is surrounded by 180 year old oak trees, and has a thatched roof and yellowwood beams and floors. It sleeps up to ten people. It consists of two bedrooms (one double bed and three single beds per room) and is fully furnished (no television). There is cell phone reception.
The facilities are also available for conferences and workshops.
Visitors can enjoy a leisurely day at the picnic terrain, follow a number of day walks on the reserve and the nearby Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, or cycle the management roads leading through the reserves. CNaccom*
