This nature reserve lies in the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountains, about 90km south-east of Cape Town. The 70 000-hectare reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch Mountains in the west, eastwards to the Groenland Mountains, and is a World Heritage Site.
Enjoy the stunning scenery and variety of fynbos as you wind your way across the undulating Hottentots Holland Mountains. About 1 300 species occur here, including several rare and endemic plants.
The Hottentots Holland is also home to grey rhebok, klipspringer, duiker and grysbok. Leopards live in the mountains, but they are a rare sight. About 110 bird species are found on the reserve, including several raptors.
The reserve is also historically significant. Jan Joubert’s Gat Bridge, which forms part of the Franschhoek Pass, was one of the first bridges built in South Africa. The ox-wagon spore and cannons in the Gantouws Pass above Sir Lowry’s Pass are also national monuments.
