In video: Anyseberg Nature Reserve

The mountains and valley that are now part of the reserve were once home to the local African tribes of the San. These were hunter-gatherers that lived off the produce of the land. They left records of their customs, belief, and celebrations in the form of rock art – which can still be seen and enjoyed by visitors today.

Anysberg is a 4-hour drive from the capital of Cape Town and is surrounded by the Karoo towns of Montagu, Ladismith, Laingsmith and Touwsrivier.

Its setting makes for spectacular views throughout the reserve. The rich vegetation and expansive areas mean that the Anysberg Nature Reserve is also the ideal habitat for a number of different wildlife species. These include the duiker, gemsbok, steenbok, red hartebeest, black-becked jackal, zebra, caracal and 180 different bird species. However, leopards are spotted on rare occasions in the mountains.

The Anysberg is a fantastic spot for hikers who want to explore the landscape without having to stick to formal trails and camps. There is also a guided horse trail, that takes two days to complete and offers an overnight camp as well as a number of cycling trails for mountain bikers.