Close to Bathurst there are some lovely Nature reserves with lovely walking trails and hikes to be explored.
WatersMeeting – 10 KM
Waters Meeting offers 3 routes in a beautiful scenic Nature Reserve outside Bathurst , with an abundance of animals, birds and plants. Trails go through dense forest, sometimes offering a vast vista of the confluence of two rivers amid a sea of greenery. There are some steep slopes, so good footwear is needed and possibly hiking sticks.
KAP RIVER TRAIL
The Kap River Conservancy is a unique and unspoiled natural environment. Home to The Albany thicket,an ecological region of dense woodland in the Eastern Cape. The Nature Reserve is approximately 670ha, situated about 26 kms east from Port Alfred.
It boasts an abundance of wildlife with giraffe being its flagship species. You will also be able to see zebra, impala, red hartebeest, warthog, common reedbuck, bushbuck, nyala, waterbuck and duiker.
There are over 300 bird species in the reserve, which can be viewed along the hiking trail, leading to Kap River forest and the Fish River flood plain. The reserve is flanked by the Kap River and the Fish River, resulting in rich diversity within the floral kingdom, from cycads and stunning colourful flowers, through to ancient huge trees.
RETREAT 2 EDEN – 5.5KM
A Non-Profit Pro-life sanctuary for dogs, Retreat 2 Eden run by Lynne and Johann Wilhelm. This piece of heaven offers a spectacular walk through the 4 different biomes, which compete in their scenic glory. Donations are needed to help this beautiful farm to grow Lynn and Johann’s vision of conserving and caring. The vision includes both the wildlife roaming the bush and the 50+ canine companions that have found a home here.
MANSFIELD RESERVE 7 KM
This pretty game reserve boasts plains game, including giraffe and zebra which roam the Eastern Cape bushveld. The 7 km hiking trail starts at the gate and winds its way down to the Mansfield river and along the Kowie river before going back up a more gentle way to the start.
