The Goegap Nature Reserve is a semi-desert nature reserve in Northern Cape, South Africa and lies around 8 km east of Springbok. The area was once used to graze livestock and was proclaimed in 1966 as a reserve then fenced in 1969 and wildlife introduced shortly afterward.
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This review is for the Bush Hut accommodation, the garden area and a little bit about the hiking trail.
Bush Hut Unfortunately not much info online. Goegap would do well to upload photos of their huts on their website. You must phone the reserve to make an accommodation booking. The reserve has two campsites close to each other plus a set of five bush huts. All the accommodation is around the corner from the entry gate. We stayed at a bush hut and paid R300 a night for 2 people. The hut has four single beds, a sink, no electricity, a solar powered light, a few chairs and bedside tables. There is a braai and seating area outside. Gas shower and toilet nearby, which is shared among the huts. Gates close at 6 pm and open again 07:30 am. Very basic accommodation, but such great value for money to have a comfy bed, in a safe space surrounded by beautiful nature. There is a magnificent boulder nearby and trails to explore right from your doorstep.
Garden: The garden area is spectacular where groupings of majestic quiver trees reign supreme. These trees are surrounded by smaller shrubs, plants and succulents, many of which are labelled. This is where the main office and conference centre is as well.
Hiking trails: We did a trail run on one of the trails, which I believe is part of the main hiking trail. There are plenty of trails and jeep tracks to explore via bike and 4x4 as well. The reserve is massive. It is best known for the wild flowers at the dawn of spring. Unfortunately we were too late to see the full splendour of the wild flowers, but there were still small pockets of especially yellow/orange and purple to admire.
Goegap comes highly recommended for the nature lover who enjoys some peace and quiet. The town of Springbok is nearby, which of course has supermarkets and...
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Wow - an awesome display of spring flowers with glorious colours. We did the 4x4 route which was just jaw dropping. This route is only for 4x4 vehicles - it should not be attempted with just an SUV or high rise vehicle. There's a tourist route for all vehicles which is as beautiful. We went on a Sunday got there at 10:30 - it wasn't very busy but the office took a while to process the entrance tickets. Pensioners must show proof of identity to qualify for the 40% discount. What I loved about this reserve is the display of arid region plants such as quiver trees - or locally referred to as Kokerbome. We saw some Springboks, Zebra, ground squirrels and goshawks. There was a pop up stall at the office serving delicious roosterkoek or roosterbrood fresh off the coal fire - with fillings of boerewors, ham & Cheese. I don't know if they are there everyday - worth checking with reception when you buy your entrance tickets. There is also a garden where the rare "half-mens" have been planted. Well...
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The mine dump mentioned in the previous reviews are actually not inside the Park. The fence line runs in front of the mine dump, athough the reserve has its origins from the mine. Some historic perspective: the reserve was declared in 1966 after the then Okiep Copper Company (called OCC and owned by Newmont mining) donated land for a conservation area called the Hester Malan Flower Garden (this was the start of Goegap Nature Reserve). Sections of the land in front of the mine dump - which is the legacy operations of the OCC - was part of this donation. So the mine dump was actually there before the declaration of the conservation area. The reserve has of course expanded greatly since then through partnerships with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and Mainstream Energy. Approx. 37 000ha by time of writing and with large expanses of...
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