Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve

One of the oldest natural reserves of South Africa, the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve is located 40km west of Port Elizabeth. The 500-hectare floral paradise is best known for its varied and unique plants. There are several trails and gravel roads within the reserve making it suitable for hiking, mountain biking, cycling, and driving.

Some of the trails that are perfect for beginners are the Fynbos Ramble, the Nymph Trail, and the 3 Dam Trail. There are forest walks and the river walk along a tributary of the Van Stadens River. The Link Trail offers beautiful scenic views of the gorge as it crosses the Van Stadens Bridge. For experienced hikers, the Van Stadens hike starting from the Flower House inside the reserve is an 11km hike that covers most of the other trails. For those who want to bike, cycle or drive, there are different arrangements and routes that can be taken with family or individually.

To take a look at some of the oldest trees of the reserve, visit the arboretum. Here the trees have been named and tagged. There are seating areas here to enjoy the peace and watch some wonderful birds. Similarly, for bird-lovers, the Bird Hide is the perfect place to sight some out of 170 bird species found here. Besides, there are many picnic and viewing spots available inside the reserve. Some of the animals and birds that can be spotted in the reserve are bucks, frogs, the Cape dwarf chameleon, etc. Also, since the main focus of the reserve is to protect the natural and unique vegetation of the region, there are many indigenous plants found here. Some of the notable plants and flora include fynbos, species of orchids, proteas, cycads, etc.