Short History!

Over the past 160 years until ±1970 different parts of the reserve were extensively used for stock farming. Currently it extends almost 14 000 hectareS, but it was of still greater magnitude before the Gamkapoort Dam was built in 1967 – 1969 on the eastern side of the property. The Dam also cut off the former road to Prince Albert.

Although many different owners farmed with livestock until ±1970, only small scale herding has taken place since. The reserve thus had a period of natural rehabilitation of almost 40 years.

The veld  in some areas is untouched by grazing but  other areas were not that fortunate. Since the building of the dam the veld had time to rest and rehabilitate causing it to improve every year. Much however depends on the rainfall patterns.

The reserve still has signs of old structures, used by stock-farmers in the past. You can visit some of these structures. There are also a number of old graves from the middle 19th century.

Since the current owners purchased the land in 1996, they have attempted to manage it as a nature reserve on an eco friendly basis. In the Groot (Great) Karoo climate conditions and rainfall plays a vital role, keeping you grateful and humble most of the time.