The beautiful Koeberg Nature Reserve, Cape Town
The Koeberg Nature Reserve surrounds the Koeberg Nuclear Power
Station, and is situated about 30 km from Cape Town. It can be
reached by taking the West Coast Road (R27) past the beach-side
suburbs of Milnerton, Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand.
History
The Reserve measures roughly 3,000 hectares of Eskom property,
and was proclaimed as a nature reserve in 1991. It was
established to protect and conserve the local flora and fauna,
and it also acts as an educational center for young and old.
Within the reserve you can find a number of unique coastal land
forms, wetlands and different vegetation communities protected
within this area. Therefore the reserve plays a pivotal role in
the conservation of the area, especially since the development
of industries and residential properties along the West Coast.
Trails
The reserve offers two diverse, well marked hiking trails and a
mountain bike trail.
1.The Dikkop Trail (9.5km; 19,3km, or a 22.3 km trail)
The Dikkop Trail has been designed to lead the hiker through a
widely varying terrain, and it is the perfect opportunity to
experience the many moods of the West Coast. The trail starts at
the visitor center, and follows a circular route through the
nature reserve.
The Mountain Biking trail follows a similar route to the Dikkop
Trail, with plenty of gradients to make it enjoyable for the
seasoned cyclist and the novice, young or old.
1.Grysbok Trail (2,5km or 5,7km trails)
The Grysbok trail again starts at the visitors center covered
parking and follows a circular route through the reserve. There
are two alternatives for this trail, the first is a 5,7 km hike,
which follows a circular walk , which includes a stroll along a
"private" stretch of beach and offers beautiful, unobstructed
views of Table Mountain. There is an abundance of plant life and
fynbos to be seen and animal life, especially bird-life is
abundant. Hikers will also be able to view the ruins of a
historical farmhouse, a truly spectacular site in Spring, with a
variety of flowers in bloom, all around.
The 2,5 km trail will take you through all of the above areas,
except the wetlands, and is a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
Animal Life
The reserve has a variety of buck; Springbok, Bontebok, Eland
and Impala's, they also have a small herd of Zebra, all the
animals are originally indigenous to the area and have bee
reintroduced so that visitors can view them in their natural
habitats. The park has a few small predators, such as the
African Wildcat, Grey Mongoose and Genet, and if lucky visitors
might be able to spot the elusive Caracal, which is the largest
predator in the area. Reptiles are also abundant in the park,
and if you are patient you can observe first-hand the habits of
, the Cape Cobra, Mole Snake, Boomslang, Skaapsteker and the
Angulated Tortoise.
For the bird-watcher there are over 172 identified bird species
on the reserve, which can make for hours of uninterrupted bird
watching.
During the whale season, there are viewing platforms which
offer you perfect and private views of Southern Right Whales.
The reserve is continually expanding on the breeds of animal at
the reserve, and now have Wildebeest on their list of wild life.
Be sure to pop in to the visitors center and ask for a map of
their trails before you start to ensure that you make an
informed decision.