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Provincial Parks
Spioenkop Game Reserve
Province: Kwazulu Natal
Region: Battlefields
Main Attractions: Water sports, Birding, Game Viewing
Spioenkop Mountain stands sentry over thorn savannah and water where visitors can see panoramas that stretch from hot valley bushveld across cool water to the Drakensberg Mountains often covered in snow in the winter.Steeped in Anglo Boer War history, the reserve boasts a rich selection of wildlife including white rhinocerous, giraffe and a variety of plains and bushveld antelope. The abundance and variety of species assures visitors a rewarding game experience.
Spioenkop Mountain is the site of the infamous Battle of Spioenkop which took place in 1900 where the British suffered one of their worst defeats of that period.
The Battlefield is accessible by road and the 360 degree view from the summit can only be described as spectacular.The dam offers opportunities for a variety of water-sports and there is a road network open to tourists. Busses are not permitted as the road system is unsuitable.
From the reserve there are views of the Drakensberg Mountains which extend from Giants Castle, to the Sentinal in Royal Natal National Park.The northern section of the reserve is a designated hunting area where limited controlled hunting packages are offered by public tender each year.
ACTIVITIES
The reserve offers a variety of recreational opportunities to visitors. Power Boating is popular with ideal conditions for skiing, prevailing for most of the year. Slipways are situated in the picnic sites. Jet skis are permitted but are restricted to the area north of the Boat Club.
Yachting is practised on the dam but the calm conditions have precluded the dam from being a successful venue for yacht racing. Picnic Sites are situated on the dam shore to accommodate day visitors. Fishing is popular with the main species being barbel and carp. A Vulture hide provides close-up views of these magnificent birds. Unfortunately the vultures are seasonal visitors and are not always present in the reserve.
The Discovery Trail is available to visitors and is situated on the wooded slopes of the south shore of the dam in an area which is free of dangerous game. It is split into a 3 kilometre or 6 kilometre loop. A booklet on the trail is available with information on the Iron Age sites which are fairly common in the area.
Bird watching is popular with a bird list in excess of 290 species. The Discovery trail generally provides a rewarding experience for patient enthusiasts. The Battlefield and Museum provide an additional aspect to visitors who are interested in history. The Battle of Spioenkop is infamous and the battle site on the top of Spioenkop Mountain is accessible by road. A booklet on the battle is available as is a brochure on the self guided trail of the Battlefield. The museum is situated in the administrative complex. A visit to the battlefield is a rewarding experience even to those who are not interested in history as the panorama from the summit provides spectacular views over the dam to the Drakensberg Mountains to the south and across the plains to Ladysmith to the north. Horse Trails through the reserve, where game is abundant, provides the adventurous with close-up views of a variety of game including giraffe, and encounters with white rhino. This is the best way to see game in the wild as animals are far less tolerant of people on foot. This is an experience not to be missed.
Hunting packages are offered each year and operate out of Iphika Bush Camp. The animals allocated form part of the programme to balance the sex ratios of the various game populations.
ACCOMMODATION
iPhika tented bush camp is situated on the slopes of Spioenkop Mountain overlooking a waterhole and features a stone and thatch lounge/bar/dining area, separate kitchen with gas fridge and stove, two two-bed safari tents set on wooden platforms and a communal hot water ablution facility.Five six-bed chalets feature three bedrooms, bathroom, lounge/dining room, kitchen and barbecue facilities. Camping is also available.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Gate Opening and Closing Times:
Summer ( October to March ) 06h00 to 19h00
Winter (April to September ) 06h00 to 18h00
Office Hours:
The office is open from 08h00 to 12h30 and from 14h00 to 16h30
Distance and Time from Gate to Camp: 500 metres
Camp Telephone Number: (036) 4881578
Camp Fax: (036) 4881065
Check Out Time: 10h00
Check In Time: 14h00
Facilities:
Horse riding, game viewing , boating and hunting.
Shop:
Limited to cool drinks and sweets.
The nearest town which has a full range of services is Bergville which is 18 kms away. Winterton is 14 kms away and Ladysmith where there is a hospital is 40 kms away.
How to get there:
From the south turn off the N3 on to the R74 signposted Winterton. One kilometre after Winterton cross the Little Thukela and turn right on to the R600 signposted Spioenkop.
From the north turn off the N3 on to the R616 and head towards Ladysmith.5 kilometres down that road turn right on to the R600 signposted Spioenkop.
Pets are not permitted into the reserve.
Concessions:
Education groups from KwaZulu-Natal are admitted free to the reserve.
Facilities for people with disabilities: Nil
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