Keurbooms River Nature Reserve

Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site, is an exquisite, small reserve of just 740 hectares located in the lush Garden Route region just outside Plettenberg Bay. The Keurbooms River passes through the reserve bringing an abundance of water from further up in the Tsitsikamma Mountains to enter the ocean through the stunning estuary. Promising an undiluted nature experience of indigenous forests, unspoilt river gorge, and protected kloofs, this reserve is a favourite destination for both local and international travellers.

Named after the Western keurboom tree, the reserve is a sanctuary for indigenous trees, including the Cape beech, giant stinkwoods and the beautiful Outeniqua yellowwoods. A lush destination filled with an abundance of plant life, the reserve can be explored on walks, boat trips and canoe trails. Swimming and bird watching are also popular activities. Visitors should look out for the quirky vervet monkey, the shy blue duiker, beautiful grysbok and mongoose. Those patient and lucky enough could even spot the elusive leopard. The many bird species provide a musical background to the lush surroundings, with contributions from the Knysna loerie, giant kingfisher, Knysna woodpecker, sunbirds, yellow-billed ducks and more.