Oviston Nature Reserve can be accessed on the R58 via Burgersdorp or the R390 via Steynsberg. Alternatively, it can be accessed from the R701 in the north via Bethulie (turning south onto the R390), or on the R58 from Colesburg. The road condition is fair, so sedans or 2x4s are sufficient. Oviston Nature Reserve is in the northeastern part of the Eastern Cape Province along the southern shoreline of the mighty Gariep Dam (formerly known as the Hendrik Verwoerd Dam).
Oviston Nature Reserve was initially established to preserve False Upper Karoo vegetation(veld type) and to support a breeding programme for buck. Extraordinary sunsets and landscape consisting of vast, open grassland with low “koppies” (small mountains) makes Oviston Nature Reserve truly part of South Africa’s “Big Sky” country. Oviston covers an area of approximately 16 000ha and stretches from the dam wall in the west, to the Bethulie railroad bridge in the east. Lake Gariep, which spans the borders of the Free State and the Eastern Cape, lies approximately two hours south of Bloemfontein. The dam is more than 100km long and 15km wide.
Oviston Nature Reserve
The primary purpose of the Oviston Nature Reserve is the conservation of the communities broadly representative of the Nama Karroo ecotype, and the conservation of the natural processes which are responsible for the resilience of the Karroo. Oviston Nature Reserve offers three lodgings, namely Komweer Lodge, an erstwhile farmhouse sleeping 12 people, Apies Bay Cabin and Ihodi Picnic and Camp Site . Game drives in Oviston Nature Reserve are amply rewarded by sights of large numbers of Springbuck, Ostriches, Gemsbuck, Zebras and Hartebeest. Location of Oviston Nature Reserve Oviston Nature Reserve is situated in the north eastern part of the Eastern Cape Province along the southern shoreline of the mighty Gariep Dam (formerly known as the Hendrik Verwoerd Dam). The Town of Oviston is a small town overlooking Lake Gariep on the Eastern Cape side. It was originally built to house the workers who built the dam which was completed in 1971.
Oviston Nature Reserve Key Information
GATE TIMES 07h00 – 19h00
OFFICE HRS 08h00 – 16h30 (weekdays)
GPS lat.-30.61, long. 25.8
Nearest towns
Venterstad (11 km’s)
Bethulie (40 km’s)
Burgersdorp (70 km’s)
Queenstown (200 km’s)
Bloemfontein (230 km’s)
Oviston Nature Reserve Contact details
Reserve Office: 051 655 0000/051 655 0199
Office Mobile: 087 285 7390
Reserve Manager: 082 416 1913/ 063 801 8344
visiteasterncape.co.za
Telephone: +27 (0)43 7019600
Mobile: +27 (0)79 4967891
Email: reservations@ecparks.co.za
Website: http://www.ecparks.co.za
As Oviston Nature Reserve forms part of the Karoo, it can get extremely hot during the day, followed by plummeting temperatures at night.
Venterstad Saps: 051 654 0122
Gariep Saps: 082 542 0644
Ambulance: 10177
Venterstad Fire Protection Association: 051 654 0503
Knapdaar Fire Protection Association: 051 763 0860
Oviston Nature Reserve
The 16 000ha Oviston Nature Reserve is one of the Eastern Cape’s best kept secrets. It is a secluded, peaceful reserve situated on the southern shores of the Gariep Dam – South Africa’s largest standing body of fresh water (370 km2 when full). Visit the quiet waterside village of Oviston in the little Karoo, spend afternoons fishing and boating on the dam, and be sure to enjoy a self game drive through this awesome reserve.
The Karoo climate is characterised by blazing hot days, followed by cool evenings and extraordinary sunsets. It is a beautiful landscape of wide open grasslands, little ‘koppies’ and deep blue skies – a photographer’s paradise.
Activities
Self-guided game drives are the best way to explore the Reserve, which is home to buffalo, kudu, springbok, gemsbok, zebra, hartebeest, black wildebeest, aardvark, bat-eared fox, porcupine, mongoose and clawless otter, to name a few. Birders can expect to see Verreaux’s eagles, fish eagles, blue cranes, secretary birds, steppe buzzards, African hoopoe and greater flamingo, among other species.
Gariep Dam is perfect for water-sports, boating and swimming and is an excellent fishing destination – anglers can hope to land largemouth yellowfish, Orange River mudfish, moggel and sharptooth catfish. The highlight of any day at the Reserve is a sunset cruise on the peaceful dam. Other activities include hiking, mountain biking and admiring the wonderful San rock art on offer. Places of interest include the Gariep Dam wall (which is 914m long and 88m high), the Oviston tunnel and the Bethulie railway bridge.
Accommodation
Komweer Lodge is a beautiful old farmhouse that accommodates nine.
Apies Bay Cabin is a rustic stone cabin with a thatched roof, in close proximity to the Gariep Dam. It accommodates four.
Ihodi Campsite is available for those who travel with tents and caravans. The name is derived from the Xhosa word ihodi, meaning aardvark, referring to the tenacious creatures that can be found in the area.
Oviston Nature Reserve Contact details
Reserve Office: 051 655 0000/051 655 0199
Office Mobile: 087 285 7390
Reserve Manager: 082 416 1913/ 063 801 8344
visiteasterncape.co.za
Telephone: +27 (0)43 7019600
Mobile: +27 (0)79 4967891
Email: reservations@ecparks.co.za
Website: http://www.ecparks.co.za
