Scenic Spioenkop Nature Reserve lies beneath the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains. It centers on Spioenkop Dam, a popular local fishing and boating venue. Wildlife includes , giraffe, zebra, various antelope and plenty of birds. The reserve takes its name from (and is overlooked by) Spioenkop Hill, whose table-like summit was the setting of an infamously bloody Anglo-Boer War battle in 1900.
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Best Time To Go
- June to September (Wildlife), October to April (Lake activities)
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High Season
- None (Only busy on weekends)
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Size
- 60km² / 23mi²
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Altitude
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1,069-1,186m /3,507-3,891ft
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Pros & Cons
- Beautiful scenery with views of the lake and Drakensberg peaks
- Great birding
- Little visited and only busy on weekends
- Twice-daily guided horseback rides
- Self-guided hiking trail
- Inexpensive rest camp overlooking the dam
- Malaria-free
- A limited selection of large mammals
- Very small circuit
- Busy with locals visiting for lake activities on weekends
Wildlife
More recreational park than game reserve, Spioenkop is too small to sustain populations of most of the . The exception is , although sightings aren’t guaranteed. Giraffe, , , , zebra, and are regularly encountered. It is an excellent spot for bird watching, with 270 species recorded in a relatively small area. Waterbirds are plentiful, and there’s a wide variety of grassland and woodland species.
Scenery
Spioenkop is a very beautiful reserve with a wonderful feel. Thorny trees stud the plains, and in winter the slopes are decorated with massive flowering . The Drakensberg peaks form a spectacular backdrop, especially when dusted with snow. The dam is a scenic center point and there are views across it to Spioenkop Hill and the memorial cross on its summit.
Activities
A small circuit of wildlife-viewing roads is suited to visitors and comes with a fair chance of spotting , giraffe and varieties of antelope. Other activities include twice-daily horseback safaris, a self-guided hiking trail and fishing. It is also worth making a side trip to hilltop Spioenkop Battlefield, where Britain suffered one of its heaviest defeats during the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902).
Weather & Climate
The weather and climate of Spioenkop is comparable to that of South Africa in general. More info:
Best Time To Visit
Spioenkop can be visited throughout the year, but the best time for wildlife viewing is during the dry winter months from June to September. The end of the Dry season (from August to September) is a particularly nice time, as all water in the has dried up and animals gather on the lakeshore. The summer months (October to April) are better for lake activities, scenery and bird watching.
How To Get to Spioenkop NR
Spioenkop lies below the Drakensberg Mountains, 11km/7mi north of the town of Winterton. It is usually visited as part of a trip that also incorporates the Unesco-listed uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. Spioenkop is 375km/233mi south of Johannesburg, whose O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the main port of entry to South Africa, and 230km/143mi northwest of Durban, site of King Shaka International Airport (DUR). Both of these airports offer car rental.
Health & Safety
In our opinion, Spioenkop is generally safe to visit, especially when on an organized tour. For more information, please read our malaria and vaccinations page for South Africa, and our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ page: