The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve
Afrikaans name: Willem Pretorius Natuur Reservaat
Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Free State
The Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve is a 12,000 hectare reserve in the Free State. It is located on the shores of the Allemanskraal Dam, just north of the town of Senekal.
Various accommodation options are available just outside the reserve. There are a number of huts, chalets and camp sites overlooking the dam.
Birding in the reserve and around the dam and camp areas can be quite rewarding. The area has a checklist of around 220 species.
The Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve itself is well stocked with animals including White Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok, Giraffe and Mountain Reedbuck. There is an extensive road network in the reserve.
Driving around the reserve one will see the remains of settlements in some areas. These date back to the Sotho people many hundreds of years ago. A visit to Bekkersberg Iron Age Settlement is worthwhile.
Generally the reserve is flat but their are hilly sections
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Bekkersberg Iron Age Settlement
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Entrance to the reserve
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Mammals of Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Antbear / Aardvark
Common Duiker
Striped Polecat
Water Mongoose
Birds of Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Acacia Pied Barbet
Common Scimitarbill
Jacobin Cuckoo
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Red-chested Cuckoo
Alpine Swift
White-rumped Swift
Blue Korhaan
Wood Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper
Ruff
Black-winged Stilt
Kittlitz's Plover
Double-banded Courser
Grey-headed Gull
White-winged Tern
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Lesser Kestrel
Rock Kestrel
Goliath Heron
Brown-crowned Tchagra
Ashy Tit
Sand Martin
Greater Striped Swallow
South African Cliff-Swallow
Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler
Neddicky
Black-chested Prinia
Spike-heeled Lark
Grey-backed Sparrowlark
Red-capped Lark
Familiar Chat
Malachite Sunbird
Scaly-feathered Finch
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Yellow-crowned Bishop
African Quailfinch
Red-headed Finch
Village Indigobird
Cape Canary
Black-throated Canary
Yellow Canary
Cape Bunting
References and further reading
Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 1992 - Page: 235The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 107
Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 130
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 232
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 297
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 126
Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 352
On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 378
On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 262
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 114
Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 330
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 163
Birding Hotspots - Author: Trevor Hardaker - Published: 2007 - Page: 17
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 90
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