Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

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The Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve lies in the Breede River valley, about 15 km south of Robertson on the McGregor road. The landscape is rugged and strikingly scenic, with sandstone and underlying shale formations.

The vegetation of this rocky part of the Little Karoo is known as arid Robertson Karoo. Succulents dominate, with numerous dwarf trees and shrubs such as guarri, karee and melkbos, whereas grasses are scarce. Patches of mountain renosterveld are found on the higher ridges and hills, with sweet-thorn trees along the seasonal watercourses. Sheets of botterblom daisies make a splash of orange in spring.

Klipspringer, grysbok, grey rhebuck and springbok are common. Caracal (rooikat) occur here but are rarely seen.

Birds are well represented, with a total of 175 species including the jackal buzzard, African and pale chanting goshawk and the spectacular black and African fish eagle. The dams on the reserve also attract a variety of waterbirds. Amphibians and reptiles are abundant, a highlight being the rare Robertson dwarf chameleon.

Species lists are available at the reserve entrance and office.

Download Vrolijkheid brochure and map (1,509KB)
Friends of Vrolijkheid

Who are we?

The Friends of Vrolijkheid is a community-based group aimed at supporting the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve and the broader conservation community
Individual or family membership, at just R50 per year, will entitle you to the following:


Free entry to Vrolijkheid throughout the year.
Organised day walks and hikes in the area.
The option to assist with projects such as improving the facilities and interpretation for visitors at Vrolijkheid, educational programs, fundraising and so forth.
Overnight excursions to places of interest such as the Cederberg and Du Toit’s Kloof mountains.
Evening talks by experts in the field of conservation and related sectors.
Fun events such as family braais and concerts.
The opportunity to assist in the preservation of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
Take part in birdwatching outings in conjunction with the Robertson Bird Club.
The Rooikat, an informative conservation newsletter produced by the Friends of Vrolijkheid.

Contact Person: Alison Downie
Contact Number: 072 258 5888
Enquiries: Click here

Download: Vrolijkheid Brochure.pdf
Download: The Rooikat 38.pdf
Download: The Rooikat 39.pdf
Download: The Rooikat 40.pdf
Download: The Rooikat 41.pdf
Download: The Rooikat 37.pdf
Download: The Rooikat 42.pdf
Reservations

To make a booking please contact our reservations office

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Use the map or list to select a reserve

Map of CapeNature Nature Reserves
Cederberg Wilderness Area Bird Island Nature Reserve Rocherpan Nature Reserve Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Limietberg Nature Reserve Jonkershoek Nature Reserve Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve Vrolijkeid Nature Reserve Marloth Nature Reserve Kogelberg Nature Reserve Walker Bay Nature Reserve Salmonsdam Nature Reserve De Mond Nature Reserve De Hoop Nature Reserve Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve Boosmansbos Wilderness Anysberg Nature Reserve Swartberg Nature Reserve Gamkaberg Nature Reserve Outeniqua Nature Reserve Goukamma Nature Reserve Keurbooms River Nature Reserve Robberg Nature Reserve

Cape Town Tourism Cape Town Tourism
West Coast
1. Cederberg Wilderness Area
2. Bird Island Nature Reserve
3. Rocherpan Nature Reserve
4. Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area

Winelands
5. Limietberg Nature Reserve
6. Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
7. Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve
8. Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
9. Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Overberg
 10. Marloth Nature Reserve
11. Kogelberg Nature Reserve
12. Walker Bay Nature Reserve
13. Salmonsdam Nature Reserve
14. De Mond Nature Reserve
15. De Hoop Nature Reserve
16. Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
17. Boosmansbos Wilderness Area

Cape Karoo
 18. Anysberg Nature Reserve
19. Swartberg Nature Reserve
20. Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Garden Route and Little Karoo
 21. Outeniqua Nature Reserve
22. Goukamma Nature Reserve
23. Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
24. Robberg Nature Reserve

Download:
Explore brochure (1,4mb).pdf