Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve

Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve
Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve
Type	Nature Reserve
Location	Nieuwoudtville
Coordinates	31°29′26″S 19°02′54″E / 31.4905596°S 19.0484671°ECoordinates: 31°29′26″S 19°02′54″E / 31.4905596°S 19.0484671°E
Area	4,776 hectares (11,800 acres)
Designated	1971
Camp sites	10
Hiking trails	Four (2 day trails; 2 overnight trails)
Website	Northern Cape Tourism

The Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve (Afrikaans for war-gorge), covering 4,776 hectares (11,800 acres), is located 10 km south of Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The Oorlogskloof River runs along the eastern border of the reserve, while the western part is bordered by the Knersvlakte. Streams dissect the mountainous terrain, resulting in gorges, 36 natural pools^[1] and waterfalls found throughout the reserve.^[2]^[3] There are also examples of rock art in caves beside some of the plateaus of the reserve.^[4] There are a couple of day and overnight trails (that take 4-5 days to complete), totalling 146 km in length,^[5] with 10 log cabins.

History

The reserve got its name from a battle that took place between indigenous Khoi people and local farmers in 1739.^[6] In 1971 it was declared a nature reserve.^[7]^[8] In 2012, the Department of Environmental Affairs funded the construction of 10 log cabins that can accommodate 15 people each, along with solar panels and septic tanks, pedestrian bridges, stream crossings and 3 boreholes.^[2]^[9] Alien invasive species like Black Wattle, Port Jackson, Eucalyptus and Prosopis were also removed at certain locations.^[2] Hiking trails and access roads were serviced.^[2]

Habitat

Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve is found in the Karoo and Fynbos biomes.^[5] The wagon tree, Protea nitida, and a diverse range of Namaqualand flowers can be found here.^[3]

Birds

It contains a multitude of bird species, which include Verreaux’s eagles, booted eagles, black storks and African harrier-hawk.^[5]

Fish

The following fish species can be found on the river in the reserve: Clanwilliam yellowfish, Clanwilliam sandfish, chubbyhead barb, and sawfin. There are also the unwanted local species of banded tilapia, and alien bass and bluegill sunfish, which pose a major threat to the endemic fish found in the reserve.^[1] Freshwater mussels can also be found in pools in the reserve.^[1]

View from near the top of Vanrhyns Pass, near Nieuwoudtville, South Africa. Partially obscured by a ridge of the Koebee Mountains is the flat top of the Maskam, and beyond it the Gifberg, both peaks of the Matzikama Mountains. Part of the Knersvlakte region is visible to the east.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Moseley, Steve (1 November 2014). "Gone Fishing" (PDF). South African Country Life. pp. 72–73.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Basic Assessment Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Northern Cape: flower-season hikes at the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve – Experience the Northern Cape, South Africa". www.experiencenortherncape.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
^ "Oorlogskloof Nieuwoudtville Klein Koebee Archaeological Project | SAHRA". sahris.sahra.org.za. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve – Experience the Northern Cape, South Africa". www.experiencenortherncape.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
^ "Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, Northern Cape". www.sa-venues.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
^ "South African Geographical Names System". Archived from the original on 24 January 2013.
^ "openAFRICA". africaopendata.org. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
^ "Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve Upgrade | SAHRA". sahris.sahra.org.za. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.

Sources

Stuart, Chris & Mathilde (2012). National Parks and Nature Reserves. Struik Travel and Heritage. ISBN 978-1-77007-742-3.
Erasmus, B.P.J. (1995). Op Pad in Suid-Afrika. ISBN 1-86842-026-4.

[:3-1] Moseley, Steve (1 November 2014). "Gone Fishing" (PDF). South African Country Life. pp. 72–73.

[:1-2] "Basic Assessment Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.

[:2-3] "Northern Cape: flower-season hikes at the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve – Experience the Northern Cape, South Africa". www.experiencenortherncape.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.

[4] "Oorlogskloof Nieuwoudtville Klein Koebee Archaeological Project | SAHRA". sahris.sahra.org.za. Retrieved 13 May 2022.

[:0-5] "Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve – Experience the Northern Cape, South Africa". www.experiencenortherncape.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2022.

[6] "Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, Northern Cape". www.sa-venues.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2022.

[7] "South African Geographical Names System". Archived from the original on 24 January 2013.

[8] "openAFRICA". africaopendata.org. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.

[9] "Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve Upgrade | SAHRA". sahris.sahra.org.za. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.

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