Exploring Highmoor Nature Reserve
So the builders have left and our guests also left, which gave Bryan and I a little down time, so apart from me doing some sanding, and varnishing of a little drawer unit for my office and Bryan building our TV and audio cabinet, we had some time to go and explore Highmoor Nature Reserve a little more.
It was an absolutely beautiful day! The sun was shining, the fish were biting and the sky was a deep gorgeous blue!
Bryan caught a few rainbow trout, although they were not big fellows, so they were returned to the dam pretty sharpish!
It was an absolutely beautiful day! The sun was shining, the fish were biting and the sky was a deep gorgeous blue!
Bryan caught a few rainbow trout, although they were not big fellows, so they were returned to the dam pretty sharpish!
I also did some fly-fishing (well, a lose definition of the sport), but unfortunately I didn't catch anything. It was probably due the large splashing as the fly and line hit the water and my curses at in the next cast as my line got hooked round a bush! But, by the end of the day, I had improved at least!
As well as my attempts at fly-fishing, I also went for a short hike so that I could take a few snaps of the views on this truly spectacular day.
I have shared a few images below and also thought this may be a good opportunity to share a bit of information about Highmoor Nature Reserve, to any of you that do not know the area well.
As well as my attempts at fly-fishing, I also went for a short hike so that I could take a few snaps of the views on this truly spectacular day.
I have shared a few images below and also thought this may be a good opportunity to share a bit of information about Highmoor Nature Reserve, to any of you that do not know the area well.
Highmoor's top fishing dam and a view of Giants Castle in the background.
Highmoor Nature Reserve is a stone's throw from Kamberg Valley Hideaway. You follow the steeply winding road that reaches towards Mount Lebanon and Cleopatra Mountain for 9kms and then you have arrived!
Highmoor Nature Reserve is situated in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park's Central Region and is bordered by Kamberg and Lotheni in the south and the magnificent Giants Castle in the north. Highmoor Nature Reserve is known for having the widest panoramic views of the Drakensberg and iIt is also one of the only places where you are actually walking on top of the foothills.
Highmoor Nature Reserve forms part of the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area, which covers roughly 15,000ha. The terrain is mainly mountains, grasslands, streams and dams and there are a huge variety of rare, endemic and endangered species found in this region.
Highmoor Nature Reserve is situated in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park's Central Region and is bordered by Kamberg and Lotheni in the south and the magnificent Giants Castle in the north. Highmoor Nature Reserve is known for having the widest panoramic views of the Drakensberg and iIt is also one of the only places where you are actually walking on top of the foothills.
Highmoor Nature Reserve forms part of the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area, which covers roughly 15,000ha. The terrain is mainly mountains, grasslands, streams and dams and there are a huge variety of rare, endemic and endangered species found in this region.
Giants Castle was a spectacular sight!
Highmoor Nature Reserve is well renowned for its carefully managed trout fishing dams which boast some of the best catches in South Africa. Fly fishing permits are restricted to 6 anglers a day to ensure the dams remain some of the best in the country. Kamberg Valley Hideaway can easily book fishing permits if you are staying with us and wish to experience the thrill of fly fishing in these fabulous dams.
The Nature Reserve is also a great hiking area and boasts a number of excellent rock art sites, which can be visited by prior arrangement, with the company of a guide. A good example of this San rock art can be found at Fulton Rock which is a long, yet extremely scenic hike of roughly five hours.
A couple of shorter hikes take you to the two caves in Highmoor Nature Reserve.
Aasvoelkrantz is approximately an hour and a half walk from the car park, and leads to a double storey size cave with its own permanent supply of water throughout the year.
Caracal cave is about a two hour walk from the car park, and overlooks the Ncibidwane River and Giant's Castle with water only being available throughout the summer months.
Overnight stays can be booked, if you are feeling up for the challenge!
During your hikes you may be lucky to come across some of the wildlife that habitats the region, such as eland, oribi, rooikat, serval and a wonderful array of birds, including bearded vultures and black eagles.
The Nature Reserve is also a great hiking area and boasts a number of excellent rock art sites, which can be visited by prior arrangement, with the company of a guide. A good example of this San rock art can be found at Fulton Rock which is a long, yet extremely scenic hike of roughly five hours.
A couple of shorter hikes take you to the two caves in Highmoor Nature Reserve.
Aasvoelkrantz is approximately an hour and a half walk from the car park, and leads to a double storey size cave with its own permanent supply of water throughout the year.
Caracal cave is about a two hour walk from the car park, and overlooks the Ncibidwane River and Giant's Castle with water only being available throughout the summer months.
Overnight stays can be booked, if you are feeling up for the challenge!
During your hikes you may be lucky to come across some of the wildlife that habitats the region, such as eland, oribi, rooikat, serval and a wonderful array of birds, including bearded vultures and black eagles.
Giants Castle and the third dam at Highmoor Nature Reserve
So, as you can see Highmoor Nature Reserve has a vast amount of activities for you to do. There is spectacular scenery for the budding photographer and nature lover, great birding, wonderful hikes, superb fishing and is basically well worth a visit.
It also, as I mentioned above, happens to be part of the Drakensberg Mountains, one of South Africa's UNESCO World Heritage sites.
So, what are you waiting for... come and stay at Kamberg Valley Hideaway and add Highmoor Nature Reserve as a "must" do!
It also, as I mentioned above, happens to be part of the Drakensberg Mountains, one of South Africa's UNESCO World Heritage sites.
So, what are you waiting for... come and stay at Kamberg Valley Hideaway and add Highmoor Nature Reserve as a "must" do!
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