Spitskop Nature Reserve

Description

Only 13km from Upington, en route to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the Spitskop Nature Reserve is a fine example of the famous Kalahari Desert. The small 5,641 hectare game park is home to more than ten species of large mammals and an array of smaller mammals, birds, reptiles, and typical Kalahari flora. There are 37km of good gravel roads and 3 walking trails that lead the visitor through the reserve to view plains game like oryx, wildebeest, gemsbok, ostrich, eland, camel, and zebra. As there are no predators on the reserve, cyclists, hikers, and campers are invited to experience life in the wild savannah.

The reserve derives its name from a prominent steep rocky hill close to the entrance. On top of the Spitskop Hill is a telescope where visitors can enjoy game viewing from the elevated position. Legend has it that in the days of the ox-wagon, Spitskop was used as a meeting and resting place for travellers on their way north for grazing and on their way south for water. According to archaeologists, Spitskop was formed by the earth’s crust being eroded away. After many years, only the hard granite rock remained. On a clear day this landmark can be seen from up to 40km away.