Doornkop Fish & Wildlife Reserve is a private 2,000 hectare conservation area nestled in the rolling foothills of the Drakensberg near Carolina on the Mpumalanga Highveld.
The undulating terrain of the reserve is covered by open grasslands and bushveld, with a wide variety of non-threatening indigenous mammals and more than a hundred kinds of birds to be seen.
Aside from several crystal-clear mountain streams the reserve is watered by the Komati and Swartwaterspruit Rivers, both home to healthy populations of indigenous yellowfish, while ten dams situated near the chalets are stocked with exotic trout, a magnet for fly fishermen. At night, the banks of the dams are alive with various kinds of toads and frogs.
The reserve’s game-viewing roads – a 4×4 vehicle is a definite advantage – stretches to almost every corner of it, while the more energetic visitors relish in the network of horse trails, hiking trails, running trails and cycling trails that traverse the valleys and hills.
This past weekend we had our first taste of this very beautiful destination and we’re quite certain we’ll be returning before too long. We were allocated one of the spacious chalets along the bank of the Swartwaterspruit for our two night stay and from our shady veranda could have spent hours taking in the vast hillside dotted with herds of grazing animals just beyond the stream or the regular visits from feathered friends – could have if there wasn’t so much else to do on the property, even with some very inclement weather from time to time. The resort offers 6, 8 and 10 sleeper chalets, all fully equipped with everything required for a comfortable self-catered stay. At the main building guests can make use of the swimming pools, games room, indoor and outdoor kids play areas, tennis court and little tuck shop and fly shop.
Doornkop is only about 2½ hours easy driving distance from Johannesburg and Pretoria.
It looks like a great place for a getaway – beautiful landscapes.
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We honestly can’t wait to go back, Carol, and for a little longer next time – a weekend just isn’t enough.
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Your photographs indicate this is a wonderful place to spend a week, never mind a weekend. Beautiful scenery, a fantastic array of birds, and it is always a pleasure seeing animals in the wild. I like your frogs too, as well as the spider.
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Thanks for the post – it looks like a fabulous place – great pictures with all the diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery – will also be great in summer (rainy season)!
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Thanks, Joep! We definitely want to visit during summer to see the veld transformed.
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Excellent post, D.! Very informative and illustrated with great photos, including your top secretary, Joubert. This Reserve has a vast fields and rolling hills, quite charming/ Thank you, my friend. 🙂
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Thank you very much, H.J. We were definitely charmed by Doornkop and I’m glad if the photos convey some sense of why that was.
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Fly fishing–oh, that’s an art! We use rod and reel, but I do love watching fly fishing–not easy at all!
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Thank goodness Joubert had his uncle, who also has barrow-loads of patience, to teach him fly-fishing!
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