Discovering the Uncharted Great Fish River Nature Reserve

Before my recent trip, the Great Fish River Nature Reserve in the heart of the Eastern Cape was a mystery to me. I had no clue about what awaited me there, and no one I knew had ever visited. Naturally, I was captivated by the opportunity to explore a place that was still unexplored.

After conducting some research, I stumbled upon the Eastern Cape Parks website which claimed, “This reserve offers an exceptional wildlife encounter…” and “With its expansive succulent valley bushveld and challenging landscapes, the reserve offers a variety of habitats and breathtaking views. It is home to a wide range of animals including black rhinos, cape buffalos, hippos, and kudus.”

So, I’ve been exploring the Great Fish Reserve for a few days now, spending time driving around and trekking with the park rangers. And let me tell you, it’s definitely not like the famous Kruger National Park. You won’t come across an abundance of animals here like you would there. But hey, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit!

Admittedly, when I visited the reserve, it had just experienced heavy rainfall. As a result, any wildlife that might have been there was probably scattered. I did manage to spot some hartebeest, kudu, jackal, and warthog (which aren’t native to the area, but were introduced) along the way. But if you’re hoping to see buffalo, they’re more active at night, so your chances of spotting them during the day are pretty slim.

Overall, the experience at Great Fish Reserve might not be what you typically expect from a wildlife excursion, but it still has its own charm. Plus, exploring the park after the rain added a sense of adventure and uncertainty to the journey.

But hey, guess what? There’s actually wildlife out there! I got the numbers from reserve manager Gavin Shaw, and you won’t believe how many animals there are. We’re talking about over 200 buffalo, a whopping 1,700 kudu, 440 hartebeest, 630 eland, and 140 Burchell’s zebra. And let’s not forget about the warthogs – we’ve got over 700 of them! Not to mention the two lone female elephants and 19 hippo that roam around this 46,000-hectare reserve.

Gavin also mentioned that the buffalo here are totally healthy, free from any diseases. In fact, there are so many that they even sell some to other reserves and private game farms. So, you see, the wildlife here is thriving and definitely not something you want to miss!

So here’s the thing, the Great Fish Nature Reserve is all about protecting the biggest area of sub-tropical thicket in the whole country. And let me tell you, this kind of thicket is no joke when it comes to spotting wildlife. I mean, seriously, it’s thick for a reason! You can barely see five meters ahead with all those spekboom and acacia plants.

I’ve talked before about how important thicket is in South Africa. It’s the home of the spekboom plant, which is incredibly good at storing carbon dioxide, just like the rainforests. Spekboom is also the foundation of the whole ecosystem in the area, creating the perfect conditions for other plants and animals to thrive in what would otherwise be a dry region. Without spekboom and the thicket, this place would probably turn into a desert. But thicket is really dense. It’s not like the wide-open spaces you’ll find in places like Kgalagadi and Mountain Zebra National Park, where you can see for miles. Adjusting to the landscape here in Great Fish will take some time.

Hey there! Let me tell you about an awesome place called Great Fish. Don’t expect a wildlife paradise, but wait, there’s more to this reserve than meets the eye. It’s got some seriously breathtaking sights, especially along the Great Fish River gorge. The landscape here is rugged and tough, and during sunrise and sunset, get ready for some mind-blowing views.

Experience the Magic of Dusk at Great Fish River Nature Reserve

When I think of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, my mind is filled with stories of epic battles and deep-rooted history. This region, known as the frontier, witnessed fierce clashes between the British and the Xhosa people in the early 1800s. As I explored the area today, visiting sites like the Keiskamma cemetery and Fort Wiltshire, I couldn’t help but feel a palpable sense of the past.

The Great Fish River, flowing through this land, holds the echoes of a pivotal moment in Xhosa history. In 1812, the Xhosa people made their stand against the British, but sadly, they were unsuccessful. The weight of this defeat lingers in the air, carrying with it a sense of sorrow and the loss of innocence.

In 1856, the Xhosa prophetess Nongqawuse made a prophecy that would leave a lasting impact on the region. She claimed that if her people slaughtered all their cattle, their ancestors would return in February of 1857 and aid them in driving the colonial settlers into the sea. Tragically, her prophecy did not come true, leading to an even greater slaughter of cattle. As a result, disease and famine ravaged the Xhosa community, claiming countless lives.

These events serve as a haunting reminder of the complex history of this land, where courage and despair have intertwined. The Eastern Cape stands as a testament to the resilience of the Xhosa people in the face of adversity, while also highlighting the devastating consequences of misplaced trust.

Let’s talk about the wildlife at Great Fish Nature Reserve. One of the most exciting animals you can find here is the majestic black rhino. However, don’t get your hopes up about spotting one right away. These rhinos are quite elusive and prefer to hide in the thick vegetation during the day. They love taking long naps under the shady bushes and only come out to browse and roam around at night. I recently went on a rhino patrol with two rangers, and let me tell you, it was an adrenaline-pumping adventure! I’ll be sharing all the thrilling details in tomorrow’s blog post, but for now, my heart is still racing from the experience!

What truly amazed me during my time here were the wildflowers. After the rainy season, the reserve explodes with a breathtaking variety of blooms. If you take a moment to look closely, you’ll discover a captivating world right at your feet.

Now, if you’re planning on visiting Great Fish Nature Reserve, there are a few things you should know. First, be prepared for the river to flood during the rainy season. It can get pretty intense, so make sure you have a 4×4 vehicle to navigate the area. Also, the roads inside the reserve aren’t the greatest, especially after heavy rains, but I’ve heard they’re currently being repaired. And while the accommodation may not be like what you’d find in National Parks or CapeNature, I had a fantastic stay at Mvubu Chalets. Perched on a ridge overlooking the Great Fish River, my chalet may have needed a little TLC, but I slept like a dream. Plus, one of the best things about this place is that it’s not crowded with tourists. During the week, you’ll have the reserve mostly to yourself, and that’s something I absolutely loved.