KhoiSan Karoo Conservancy combines two proclaimed private nature reserves in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The first reserve is Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve, a former livestock farm which, by the love to nature, is being turned into a conservation success. In 2000, the owners initiated the reintroduction of hippo; in 2006 a small breeding herd was released into a pool of the Seekoei River on the property. The second more recent reserve is the adjacent Hanover Aardvark Nature Reserve which protects a mountain ridge with large game species and typical Karoo veld.

These reserves are situated close to Hanover in the Northern Cape. They offer a variety of activities, from bird watching, game drives, a 3 day horse trail, fishing and mountain biking. Further, it boasts a diversity of nocturnal animals which can be astounding and seen during the infamous Shy5 night drives. Possible sightings could include aardwolf, Cape fox, bat-eared fox, african wildcat, aardvark, porcupine, striped polecat, african striped weasel, both small and large spotted genet and spring hare to name but a few species, and if you are really lucky maybe even the tiny rare black footed cat or a hedgehog.

Conservation Highlights:

1. proclaimed nature reserves
2. 209 bird species recorded
3. received the SANParks Kudu Award for their contribution to conservation with regards to hippo reintroduction
4. wild hippo reintroduction program as only population of the entire province
5. community conservation: upliftment of farm workers as first and possible only black female buffalo breeders in SA

Conservation Future Aims:

1. establish the entire Seekoi River region as a conservation area of about 450 000 ha in size
2. implementation of a rhino anti-poaching program through which visitors can contribute to observing and safeguarding rhinos

Contact Details:

PC & Marisca (owners)

Images provided by member.