ORIBI GORGE NATURE RESERVE...covers 1 837 ha of spectacular scenery created over aeons by the Mzimkhulwana River, which has carved a 20-km-long gorge – up to 350 m deep in places – through the sandstones and granites of the Oribi Flats. The densely forested slopes of the gorge are another outstanding feature of the reserve. Among the rich variety of trees growing here are tarwood, red-stem corkwood, Natal wild banana, rock ash, mountain fig, Outeniqua and real yellowwoods, large-leaved dragon tree and forest bushwillow. The forests are home to leopard, bushbuck, blue duiker and samango monkey, while the grasslands are the habitat of the oribi, a small antelope for which the reserve is named. To date, over 220 bird species have been recorded, including the Knysna lourie, Narina trogon, crowned and trumpeter hornbills, cinnamon dove, brown robin and the bluemantled flycatcher. Visitors can explore the reserve along a network of six nature walks, ranging from 1 km to 9 km. There are two delightful picnic sites along the pass that meanders through the reserve. |
