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Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve |
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Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve
| In 2002, we purchased 16,000 acres of land in the Karoo, South Africa, establishing Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve. Komsberg means “surrounded by mountains”. The reserve includes a large area of mountain plateau, extensive mountain slopes and gullies, and seasonal rivers lined with several thousand acacia trees winding downwards into the valley below. Measuring from top to bottom, the descent is over 2,400ft. Mammals include black-backed jackal, caracal, springbok, grey rhebok, klipspringer, steenbok, baboon, porcupine, aardvark, meerkat, and much more. Re-introduction of three spectacular antelope species has already been achieved: gemsbok, red hartebeest, and kudu. Burchell’s zebra and the endangered Cape mountain zebra are amongst our planned re-introductions for the near future. Birds range from the black eagle and martial eagle (two of five eagle species recorded at Komsberg) to the greater flamingo. Komsberg is also home to numerous reptiles. We are working hard to re-introduce the almost-extinct rye grass and monitoring our sizeable population of endangered star trees. In 2006, we purchased an adjoining 15,000 acre sheep farm. This has almost doubled Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve; it is now over 30,000 acres in size and 17 miles in length. This new land is all plateau, the best type of land in this region for carrying capacity. We expect the vegetation to recover well, especially the regeneration of grasses. Komsberg has always been a big place, but now its potential is enormous. There is a huge amount of hard physical work to do before the new land can become a fully functional part of Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve. The removal of miles and miles of internal camp fencing is necessary so that the larger animals can roam freely. Perimeter fencing materials have to be bought at considerable cost, carried into position, and then finally erected to a height of 2.4 metres. Gates have to be made and waterholes adapted from sheep use to wildlife. Our team members have developed tremendous dedication, determination, and other strengths ….. and these massive jobs are already progressing well. |
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