The Swartberg Nature Reserve near Oudtshoorn is well-known for its multi-day hiking trail. A 4x4-trail has also recently opened. Visitors to Swartberg may experience a sense of vastness and tranquillity throughout the year. Picnic and braai facilities are available at Gamkapoort, Swartberg Pass and Meiringspoort. Fishing is allowed in the Gamka River and the Gamkapoort Dam, with possession of a fresh-water angling licence. Overnight facilities are also available at Gamkaskloof (also known as "Die Hel").
The Swartberg Nature Reserve lies in the Oudtshoorn district between the Great and Little Karoo, bordered by the Gamka River in the west and the Uniondale-Willowmore road in the east.
The reserve encompasses 121 000 ha of mostly state-owned land. Gamkapoort Nature Reserve, immediately to the north of the reserve and 8 000 ha in extent, is managed as part of the Swartberg, making the total conservation area a vast 129 000 ha. The nearest towns are Oudtshoorn (± 40 km), De Rust (± 5 km) and Prince Albert (± 5 km).
Besides conservation, the reserve is concerned with the conservation of mountain catchments and the water yield thereof, and educational and recreational opportunities.
History
This area was clearly used by the San for many centuries, as evidenced by the numerous rock paintings and artefacts found in caves all over the reserve. During the 1700s European farmers arrived in the area, establishing small settlements and making roads.
Three historic routes connecting the Great and Little Karoo lead through the reserve: Toorwaterpoort is a train route; Meiringspoort is used by motorists; and the untarred Swartberg Pass, built by Thomas Baines, takes one over the Swartberg and reaches a height of 1 585 m above sea-level. Gamkaskloof (Die Hel), which was first inhabited by farmers in 1830, was only accessible by foot until 1963 when a road was finally built into the valley.
Climate and Geology
This is an area of climatic extremes, with very cold winters, often with snow on the mountains and temperatures well below zero, while summers can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 40°C and more! Rain occurs throughout the year, peaking in early winter and spring, and with thundershowers in the summer months.
The Swartberg mountains are part of the Cape fold mountain range, and the geological formations are chiefly of the Table Mountain group and to a lesser extent of the Bokkeveld and Cango groups. Impressive rock formations may be seen in the Swartberg and Meiringspoort passes.
Vegetation
The reserve's vegetation is remarkably diverse, featuring renosterveld, mountain fynbos, Karoo-veld, spekboom veld, and numerous geophyte species. Some species will be in bloom virtually throughout the year. Most plants flower in spring, but early autumn is the time that many protea species flower, attracting large numbers of sugarbirds and sunbirds. During mid-summer (December - February) many of the interesting plants on the higher Swartberg peaks are in flower, including the rare Protea venusta.
Animals
Mammals likely to be seen include klipspringer, grey rhebuck, kudu, baboon and dassie, and on the flatter areas at Gamkapoort, springbok. Leopard and caracal also occur in the area, but are seldom seen. More than 130 bird species have been recorded here, notably black, fish and martial eagle, Cape sugarbird and pied kingfisher.
Recreation
Visitors to Swartberg may experience a sense of vastness and tranquillity throughout the year. Picnic and braai facilities are available at Gamkapoort, Swartberg Pass and Meiringspoort. Fishing is allowed in the Gamka River and the Gamkapoort Dam, with possession of a fresh-water angling licence.
Various hiking options are possible, ranging from easy day-hikes to a fairly demanding five-day route. The Swartberg five-day trail has three alternative starting points, with overnight huts at Ou Tol, Bothashoek and Gouekrans - which has a panoramic view over the landscape dominated by Cape fold mountains. This trail leads hikers past rock formations, incredible views and unspoiled mountain fynbos.
The Swartberg 4x4 trail was opened recently, and is quite challenging.
Gamkaskloof (Die Hel)
The remote and isolated Gamkaskloof valley is about 90 km from Oudtshoorn and 60 km from Prince Albert and is only accessible via the Otto du Plessis road, which turns off from the Swartberg Pass. The valley is of ecological, archaeological and cultural-historical importance and is now managed as part of the Swartberg Nature Reserve. Visitors to the kloof may stay in two restored houses or camp. Attractions and activities include picnicking, a Norwegian mill, angling in the Gamka River, and sightseeing and relaxing in this natural paradise as well as a 6 km interpretation hiking trail (3 hours).
For more information on the accommodation and camping facilities at Gamkaskloof, follow these links.
camping*
