The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
Afrikaans name: Gariep Dam Natuur Reservaat
Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Free State
The Gariep Dam Nature Reserve, also known as the Gariep Nature Reserve, lies on the northern shore of the Gariep Dam near the small town of Norvalspont. The reserve was previously known as the Hendrik Verwoerd Dam Nature Reserve.
The reserve is around 17,700 hectares in size although only 6,000 hectares are accessible to the public. The rest is used for breeding mammals such as Black Wildebeest and Springbok.
It experiences hot summers and cold winters. The landscape consists of plains covered in grass or scrub with hills breaking up the landscape.
Some of the mammals to be seen in the reserve include Black Wildebeest, Springbok, Cape Mountain Zebra, Red Hartebeest and Klipspringer. It is not known as a good birding spot. The bird list is dominated by waterbirds due to the nature reserve bordering the dam.
Accommodation is available at various places around the dam.
Mammals of Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Antbear / Aardvark
Black-footed Cat
Common Duiker
South African Hedgehog
Water Mongoose
Wild Cat
Birds of Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
Please note that this list is not complete and is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Ludwig's Bustard
Black-winged Stilt
Grey-headed Gull
White-breasted Cuckooshrike
Greater Striped Swallow
Rock Martin
Common House-Martin
Yellow-bellied Eremomela
Zitting Cisticola
Karoo Prinia
Eastern Clapper Lark
Karoo Thrush
Familiar Chat
Pale-winged Starling
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Yellow Canary
References and further reading
The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 58Things to do in Moer & Gone Places - Author: Jacques Marais - Published: 2015 - Page: 53
Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2014 - Page: 16
On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 312
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 294
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 108
Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 201
Country Life - Issue 252 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 46
go! - Issue 084 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 42
Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 130
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 154
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 92
eBird.org - Birdlist for Gariep Dam Nature Reserve