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Keurbooms River Nature Reserve

Keurbooms River Nature Reserve

Afro Montane forest and flood plain make this small reserve exquisite.

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Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site, is an exquisite, small reserve of just 740 hectares located just outside Plettenberg Bay.

The Keurbooms River passes through the reserve bringing an abundance of water from further up in the Tsitsikamma Mountains to enter the ocean through the stunning estuary.

Experience indigenous forests, an unspoilt river gorge and protected kloofs.

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Birdlife and plantlife is prolific. Look out for: Knysna loerie, giant kingfisher, Knysna woodpecker, sunbirds, yellow-billed ducks and fish eagles, as well as narina trogon, little grebe, sunbirds and the black-headed oriole. In photographer Scott Ramsay’s words following a river trip ” The deep silence of the gorge is broken only by the sound of your paddle dipping into the river. Or by the resident fish eagles which call out from their perches high up the yellow woods. Or by the Knysna loeries kok-kok-koking in the forest. Look out for the flash of crimson on their underwings as these furtive, beautiful birds dart across the river to hide away in another tree.”

Named after the Western keurboom tree, the reserve is a sanctuary for indigenous trees, including the Cape beech, giant stinkwoods and the beautiful Outeniqua yellowwoods. A lush destination filled with an abundance of plant life, the reserve can be explored on walks, boat trips and canoe trails. Swimming is also popular. “The river water is dark and clear, and fantastic for safe swimming” Scott Ramsay. Angling is permitted.

Visitors should look out for the quirky vervet monkey, the shy blue duiker, beautiful grysbok and mongoose. Those patient and lucky enough could even spot the elusive leopard.

Photos by Scott Ramsay