Overlooking the Allemanskraal Dam, the Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve - populated with three of the "Big Five", is situated 150km north of Bloemfontein and 255km south of Johannesburg.
Overlooking the Allemanskraal Dam, the Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve - populated with three of the "Big Five", is situated 150km north of Bloemfontein and 255km south of Johannesburg.
The south consists of grassy flats, ideal for large herds of plains game such as springbok, blesbok and black wildebeest. In the north is an area of plains, koppies and ridges of the Doringberg and Bakkersberg, inhabited by baboon, mountain reedbuck, red hartebeest, kudu and duiker.
This well-bushed area (some trees have been numbered for easy identification) is favoured by white rhino, buffalo, giraffe, gemsbok and impala - the last three not indigenous to the region but introduced to provide variety for visitors.
Although 12 000 ha in area, the reserve is too small to support large predators, the largest being caracal and black-backed jackal.
The dam - which covers 2 500 ha when full - attracts great numbers of aquatic birds. The bird checklist for the reserve totals some 220 species.
ln the northern section are ruins of stone buildings that date to prehistoric Sotho occupation, and one such settlement, on the Bakkersberg, has been restored and proclaimed a national monument.
Activities include boating and fishing, and gamewatching on an extensive network of roads, and there are tennis courts, an education centre, a swimming pool and a restaurant.
Accommodation is in fully equipped chalets on the shore of the dam, and there are caravan and camping sites. A bush camp is even closer to nature.
