Hiking & Birding

07 February 2023

Jeffreys Bay, Gamtoos, Cape St Francis

Kabeljouws Nature Reserve

• Free entry – donations welcomed
• There are hiking trails, ranging from 500 m up to 8km which are clearly marked and easy to follow.
• The reserve has a number of bird and animal species as well as some beautiful flora. It consists of multiple biomes including a sandy beach and a river. It includes parts of the Kabeljous river and estuary as well as a sandy shoreline fronted by beautiful dunes that are covered in seashore vegetation and dune thicket. It also harbours wetlands, including salt marshes, Renosterveld and Mesic Thicket with Euphorbia Forest.
• https://www.facebook.com/KRAG6330/

Simbonga

• Situated about 20km outside Jeffreys Bay
• Guided Nature Walk
• Animal Sanctuary Tour
• R250.00pp
• Contact : 060 342 9131 / admin@warriorsofwildlife.org

Pabala Private Nature Reserve

• Walk through Reserve
• Accompanied by Ranger
• Distance tailored to suite your requirements
• Contact : 064 751 3219 / info@pabalaprivatenaturereserve.co.za

Innikloof

• Die Nek takes you to the top of the mountains to give you breath-taking views of the valley and the bush along the way. The route will take about 2 hours to complete.
• Draai se Kloof is a short hike to a look-out spot overlooking Honey Clough Valley
• More than 120 bird species
• Contact : 042 284 0940 / info@innikloof.com

African Dawn Bird and Wildlife Sanctury

• About 20min drive from Jeffreys Bay, in Thornhill
• Over 250 species of birds
• Open daily from 09:00 - 17:00
• Contact : 042 286 0710 / africandawn@lantic.net

3Rivers Trails

• About 30min outside Jeffreys Bay, at Crossways, Thornhill
• Several dedicated hiking trails, catering for different levels of experience and fitness across a variety of landscapes.
• Contact : Grant 083 651 8775 / Craig 082 829 0851

Noorsekloof Nature Reserve

The Noorsekloof Nature Reserve is roughly 200 metres wide at its narrowest, widening to about 400 metres in the heart of the kloof. It lies in amongst homes and neighbourhoods, an adjoining narrow greenbelt connecting it to the beach. Its narrowness, and the fact that it lies in amongst residential development, places it under constant threat.

The Noorsekloof reserve is predominantly valley bushveld, a plant type that has received little publicity, unlike fynbos, and is thus barely conserved. Valley bushveld occurs in hot, dry valleys and rivers and is dense, sometimes even impenetrable thorny or succulent shrubs.

Over 50 bird species, including the Knysna Loerie, Knysna Woodpecker, and Paradise Flycatcher make the reserve their home and a beautiful two kilometer trail alongside a stream between Leadwood Street and Dogwood Road.

Because the Norsekloof nature reserve is essentially a long strip of green through the suburbs of Jeffrey's Bay, in parts barely visible for the homes, it and the green belt that feeds in from either side function as a green lung for residents.

The trail is very safe to walk but can be a little challenging in places as we constantly striving to improve it.

At the Dogwood entrance there is ample safe parking from where you can hike around two kms to the Leadwood Entrance a farm style gate.

The first few meters can be bit messy at times but after that its just pure nature.

Please only stay on the main trail as not to get near houses and disturb residents in the Kloof.