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Commando Drift Nature Reserve

Afrikaans name: Kommandodrif-natuurreservaat

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Eastern Cape

The Commando Drift Nature Reserve is approximately 5,900 hectares in extent. The habitat is a mixture of Karoo veld and grassland.

The reserve completely surrounds the Commando Drift Dam. The dam is fed by a number of rivers including the Elands, Vlekpoort and Tarka rivers.

Mammals to be found include Cape Mountain Zebra, Red Hartebeest, Black Wildebeest and Blesbok. The reserve boasts a fairly good bird list of around 200 species which includes many waterbirds. There are trails for hikers and mountain bikers.

There is a variety of accommodation in the reserve in the form of chalets and camping and caravan sites. Booking can be done through the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency.

To get to the reserve take the tar road between Cradock and Tarkastad. The turnoff is approximately 30 km before Tarkastad. You then travel 5 km along a dirt road to the entrance.