Outeniqua Nature Reserve

The Outeniqua Nature Reserve lies along the Garden Route, South Africa. It covers an area of 38,000 hectares and is a popular tourist =destination of South Africa. This reserve is famous for its contrasting features of a beachside abundance of greenery and wildlife against arid features of the Little Karoo.

There are 5 passes running across the reserve and 10 hiking trails, which are advisable only for the seasoned hiker. There are also 3 overnight trails which include the Attakwaskloff Trail, the Tierkop Hiking Trail, and the Doring River Wilderness Trail.

The name Outeniqua is believed to mean “those who bear honey” and is ascribed to the San and Khoi people who once inhabited the mountains. Their rock paintings are found throughout the reserve, depicting animals, hunters and honeycombs. The rugged mountains have long posed a barrier into the Klein Karoo and early settlers in the late 1600s used to follow herds of elephants to find easier ways through the area.

The first pass, the Cradock Pass, was built in 1813, but was too steep for many to climb with ox-wagons. The Montagu Pass built in the mid-1800s eventually proved a safer and quicker option. This is a popular walking and hiking destination. Unfortunately there is no overnight accommodation.