In the 1930’s a wall of 45m high and 506m in length was built across a gorge cut by the Olifants River, giving rise to the Loskop Dam, intended to provide reliable irrigation for farming activities through a series of canals over 480km in length that was eventually completed in the late 1940’s. As was government policy at the time, only married white men were employed on the project initially, but due to a lack of labour stalling the progress unmarried white men were also later taken on. After the wall was raised to its present height of 54m by 1980, the dam now covers an area of 2,400ha at full capacity and stretches for up to 27km upstream.

The reserve around the dam, originally proclaimed in the 1950’s, has since considerably increased in size, covering 22,850ha at present. Thanks to the exceptionally varied geology and hilly topography (ranging between 990 and 1,450m above sea level), and due to the fact that the reserve is located at the transition between the highveld grassland and lower lying bushveld biomes, a total of 1016 plant species have already been identified within its borders, unfortunately including a couple of species of exotic intruders which the reserve staff are continuously trying to eradicate. No less than 65 rare and threatened plant species occur here, including the only viable population of the Middelburg Cycad (Encephalartos middelburgensis). This amazing diversity of habitats and fodder supports almost 70 mammalian species (including leopard, brown hyena, white rhinoceros, hippopotamus, buffalo, giraffe, plains zebra, warthog, sable antelope, tsessebe, eland, kudu, nyala, bushbuck, reedbuck and oribi). Unfortunately chemical pollution entering the dam from upstream has had a devastating effect on the population of nile crocodiles, one of 42 reptile species that have been recorded at Loskop. The 367 bird species that call Loskop home include a successfully reintroduced population of red-billed oxpeckers, and other rare species like the ground hornbill, bald ibis and blue crane. The inventory of species found in this scenic reserve also includes 19 kinds of amphibians, 42 fish species (three of which introduced aliens) and 49 spider genera.

Loskop Dam Nature Reserve is managed by the Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency, ably assisted by a volunteer organisation, the Friends of Loskop, who are very involved in the day-to-day running of the reserve, assisting with environmental education for visiting school groups, and projects involving the study, breeding and protection of endangered species that occur naturally within the reserve, such as the ground hornbill, black-footed cat and white rhino.

We spent a morning exploring the reserve roads on the North-Western shore of the Dam, and found adequate facilities for day visitors in the form of two photographic hides and a well-kept picnic site with neat ablutions. We did not have any exceptional wildlife encounters (perhaps the overcast, drizzly weather and thick vegetation at the end of the rainy season was to blame), but the inspiring scenery more than made up for that. The limited road network is rough gravel, with some erosion damage and loose rocks in places, but most of the routes (with the exception of the Langeberg loop) can be carefully negotiated in a normal sedan. The direct distance between the gate and picnic site is approximately 18km, and you’ll need at least three to four hours to explore this section of the reserve in your own vehicle.

Heavy skies over the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve

Warthog

Tranquility in Loskop Dam Nature Reserve

Little Egret on the hunt

Little Egret on the hunt

The picnic site in Loskop Dam Nature Reserve

Loskop scenery

Waterbuck

Loskop scenery

Impala

Giraffe dwarfed

Salt-lick hide

Banded mongooses in the road

Loskop scenery

Loskop scenery

Hidden kudu

Vervet monkey

The very popular Forever Resort Loskop Dam offers accommodation, a huge camping area, shop, restaurant, several hot and cold swimming pools, sporting facilities, designated areas for fishing from the shoreline, boat launching facilities, and guided boat trips on the dam. Due to the risk of encountering hippos and crocodiles in the water, swimming and water-skiing is not permitted. Forever Resorts Loskop Dam hosts several fishing competitions every year, and in April annually the very popular 50km Loskop Ultra-Marathon, 21km Loskop Wild Challenge and Loskop Rhino Family Fun Run.

Comfortable log cabin accommodation at Forever Resorts Loskop Dam

The guest house at Forever Resorts Loskop Dam

Forever Resort’s Loskop Dam camping area

Loskop scenery

Loskop scenery

Loskop scenery

Loskop scenery

Entrance to Forever Resorts Loskop Dam

Loskop scenery

The resort’s beautifully kept gardens are a joy to explore, with beautiful flowers, interesting plants and fascinating wildlife within easy reach.

Strelitzia bloom

Shrub engulfed by spider webs

One of the responsible spiders

Frangipani blooms

Walking trail through the woodland at Forever Loskop

Fragile beauty in the gardens at Forever Resorts Loskop Dam

Red Toad

Yellow-billed hornbill

Black-collared barbet

Black-headed oriole

White-breasted cormorants in flight

Tricking ant-lions

African hoopoe

Julia Skimmer Dragonfly

Dragonfly

Dragonflies

Dragonfly

The wild figs scattered around the grounds are hives of activity, day or night.

Wild figs

Wild figs

Wild figs

Egyptian Fruit-bat visiting the wild figs

Egyptian Fruit-bat visiting the wild figs

Egyptian Fruit-bat visiting the wild figs

Humans are not the only primates that find the resort at Loskop a choice destination, and guests would be well advised to ensure they keep the windows and doors of their tents or accommodation closed when not in attendance.

Vervet on euphorbia

Dominant male vervet monkey showing off his weaponry

Baboon making a run for it

The cute and tiny lesser bushbaby

Forever Resort Loskop Dam lies on the North-Eastern shoreline of the dam, approximately 190km from Pretoria, easily accessible along the N11-route between the towns of Middelburg and Groblersdal. This was our base for the three nights we spent enjoying the reserve over Easter 2015, and from where we experienced the most glorious sunsets! The Loskop area holds many special memories for the de Wet family; and thanks to the long weekend we spent there together we’ve accumulated so many more!

Easter Sunday Sunset over Loskop Dam

The route from Pretoria to Loskop Dam (using Google Maps)