Tussen Die Riviere Nature Reserve

Description

Tussen die Riviere is a 22,000 hectare nature reserve sandwiched between the Orange River and the Caledon River near the town of Bethulie in the Free State. The reserve combines hunting and wildlife tourism. It is only open to sightseers during the summer season as during the winter season, the reserve is closed for hunting.

Wildlife

The climate alternates between the Karoo and Highveld with summer thunderstorms and rainfall, and cold winters ideal for hunting. The reserve supports a variety of wildlife, such as springbok, blesbok, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, blue wildebeest, steenbok, impala, mountain reedbuck, gemsbok, kudu, zebra, eland, and white rhino. Nocturnal animals include aardwolf, aardvark, and bat-eared fox.

Hiking and self-drives

There are 3 hiking trails available, including the 7lm Middelpunt Hiking Trail, 12km Klipstapel Hiking Trail, and the 16km Orange River Hiking Trail. Permits are available at the gate. There is 120km of dir road available for those who wish to do self-driven game drives. You don’t need a 4x4. Follow the route along Caledon River to see water birds like the Blue Crane (South Africa’s national bird) and white bellied stork.

Vegetation

Tussen die Riviere is full of all sorts of vegetation. On your hikes, you will see Highveld grassland, Karoo bushes, wild olives, bush guarri on the koppies, white stinkwoods, weeping willows, and star apples. Don’t forget to climb Aasvoelkop to see San rock art.