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.
Red Hartebeest
Blesbok
Cape Robin Chat
Egyptian Geese in flight
Rays of sunshine breaking through the clouds
Kudu cow
Buff-streaked Chat
Pied Starling
Doornkop Scenery
Doornkop Scenery
Dark-capped Bulbul
Kudu bulls on a hilltop
African Fish Eagle in flight
Young Kudu
Doornkop scenery
White-throated Swallow
Southern Reedbuck
Yellow tulip (Moraea pallida)
Crested Barbet
Red-throated Wryneck
Giraffes
Yellow tulip (Moraea pallida)
Female Red Bishop
Blue Wildebeest
Bokmakierie
Female Red Bishops
Cape Weaver (photo by Joubert)
Impala ram with red-billed oxpecker (photo by Joubert)
Young Kudu bull (photo by Joubert)
Southern Reedbuck (photo by Joubert)
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 Trophy Dam at Doornkop under heavy skies
One of the trout dams at Doornkop Fish & Wildlife Reserve
One of the trout dams at Doornkop Fish & Wildlife Reserve
One of the trout dams at Doornkop Fish & Wildlife Reserve
One of the trout dams at Doornkop
Joubert the fly fisherman
Joubert trying his hand at fly fishing
Wolf Spider
We think this is a Multimammate Mouse
We think this is a Multimammate Mouse
Natal Sand Frog
Natal Sand Frogs
Natal Sand Frog
Natal Sand Frog
Natal Sand Frog
Raucous Toad
Guttural Toad (photo by Joubert)
Natal Sand Frogs
Natal Sand Frog
Common River Frog
Tadpoles in one of the trout ponds
Freshwater crab
Swartwaterspruit
Swartwaterspruit
Mountain stream at Doornkop Fish & Wildlife Reserve
Mountain stream at Doornkop Fish & Wildlife Reserve
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.
Access road down into the valley
That tiny white speck in the distance is my brother’s vehicle on one of the 4×4 routes through Doornkop
Scenery along one of the 4×4 routes through Doornkop (photo by Joubert)
Scenery along one of the 4×4 routes through Doornkop (photo by Joubert)
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.
The view from Doornkop’s chalet #12
Doornkop Chalet #12, October 2021
Doornkop Chalet #12, October 2021
Greater Striped Swallow sitting on the patio furniture at Doornkop
Thick-billed weaver taking his seat on the patio furniture at Doornkop
Doornkop is only about 2½ hours easy driving distance from Johannesburg and Pretoria.
DeWetsWild 