Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
This nature reserve lies in the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountains, about 90km south-east of Cape Town. The 70 000-hectare reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch Mountains in the west, eastwards to the Groenland Mountains, and is a World Heritage Site.
The rocky mountains, bright wildflowers and still natural pools make the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve perfect for challenging hikes, pulse-racing kloofing and the new Cape Canopy Tour zipline adventure.
The reserve’s mountainous terrain ranges between altitudes of 500m and 1 590m. Summers are generally hot and dry, while winters are cold with annual rainfall as high as 3 300mm on the Dwarsberg plateau. Weather conditions in the mountains can be unpredictable and dangerous.
The entrance to the reserve is at Nuweberg, high in Viljoen’s Pass between Grabouw and Villiersdorp. About 7 000 hectares of private and state property around the reserve is co-managed by the Theewaterskloof Conservancy, which includes CapeNature and various landowners.
To find out more, download the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve brochure and map.
ACCOMMODATION
Hottentots Holland Huts
Overnight huts are available at Landroskop and Boesmanskloof. Each hut sleeps 30 people. The huts have four rooms that may be booked separately. Bunk beds, mattresses, wood and water are provided.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
The reserve’s mountain bike trail is 22km, winding up to Groenlandberg. The Groenland trail offers stunning panoramic views of the sea, nearby farms and even Hermanus on a clear day. It’s a moderate out-and-back route that allows bikers to enjoy the reserve’s wealth of fynbos.
