TSOLWANA GAME RESERVE
(DEPT OF FORESTRY)
Lying to the south-west of Queenstown, Tsolwana Game Reserve boasts some 17 000 hectares of plains and grassland, with the Black Kei River valley and Tsolwana mountains being the main features. The three most prominent vegetation types - thornveld savanna, Karoo scrub and a combination of grassland and mountain heath - provide sufficient food for a variety of animals. Game species include white rhino, eland, giraffe, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, blesbok, springbok, Cape mountain zebra and smaller antelope such as steenbok and klipspringer. A unexpected surprise awaits visitors, for Tsolwana is also home to exotic creatures such as Barbary sheep, Corsican mouflon (a wild sheep), Indian black buck, Himalayan tahr and fallow deer. For the keen birder there are more than 120 bird species to tick off on the checklist. A good road network makes for exciting game viewing in the company of a trained guide. Night drives allow visitors to learn more about the ways of secretive night creatures in the reserve. In addition, horse-riding and hiking are two alternative means of exploring the reserve and getting close to nature.
Tsolwana is a good example of how conservation authorities and local communities can maintain a mutually beneficial relationship. Due to sound resource management in the reserve, the local inhabitants are provided with employment and have the opportunity to purchase meat at very reasonable prices. Thanks to this arrangement, poaching in the reserve is virtually non-existent. Another form of resource management practised in the reserve is controlled hunting of exotic species during the winter months.
Visitors to Tsolwana can choose from four fully-serviced luxury lodges: Thibet Park (10 people), Lillyfountain (14 people), Otterford (12 people) and Indwe (8 people). Fundani and Phumlani are two trail camps (10 people each) for those who really want to rough it. Day visitors can relax at the picnic sites near the entrance or browse around in the curio shop. The reserve is open throughout the year. Opening time: 08h00 to 18h00.
How to get there:
From Queenstown, drive along the R61 towards Tarkastad; turn left to Thornhill and follow the road past the town to the reserve. Tsolwana is situated 57km from Queenstown, to the left of the road. Alternatively, from Queenstown take the R67 towards Whittlesea. Shortly after crossing the Black Kei River turn right and follow this road for 36km to the park office. Both routes are clearly signposted.
Contact details:
Postal address: PO Box 1424, Queenstown, 5320, SOUTH AFRICA
Tel (International): +27-401-952115
Tel (South Africa): 0401-952115
Fax (International): +27-401-92756
Fax (South Africa): 0401-92756
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