Accommodation near Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve - 2

The Sterkfontein Dam is a 7000 hectare body of water in a reserve which covers 19 000 hectares. It is located in Eastern Free State of South Africa, 25 kilometres from the town of Harrismith and 100 kilometres from the quaint little town of Clarens. It is also a reasonably easy 4 hour drive from Johannesburg.

The dam is renowned among engineers for being part of the Tugela-Vaal water transfer system, which provides water for large parts of Gauteng, and among holiday makers for being an exquisite, peaceful place to indulge your love of water sports.

The Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve offers plenty of hiking and birders will be satisfied too, but the most talked about activities at the dam are the wind surfing and the fly fishing. The dam holds a number of species but is particularly popular for those wishing to catch yellow fish. There are also Vaal smallmouths and big mouths as well as cat fish and mud fish. It’s said the fishing is particularly good here because the water is so clear. As for windsurfers, when the wind gets pumping, there is seemingly no end to your trajectory, given the impressive size of the dam.

The reserve is special as it encompasses 3 vegetation types – karoo, savannah and afromontane – giving the park an extraordinary biodiversity. Between the kloofs (gorges) and open plains, you can see plant and animal species like yellowwood trees, springbok, black wildebeest, blesbok, mountain reedbuck and, if you’re lucky, African wild cat.

The Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve is a great attraction to visit if you plan on spending any time in Harrismith, and there is even basic accommodation within the park if you really want to immerse yourself.

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