conservation
Where We Are
Wolwekraal Nature Reserve is 113 ha in size and is a CapeNature Government gazetted protected area. It lies at the northern limit of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, inland of the Swartberg range, North of the village of Prince Albert, and on the course of the Dorps River.
Plant Communities
The vegetation of Wolwekraal is diverse, partly because the river passes through it, and partly because it lies on the varied mudstones of the Cape Fold Belt. Learn more about the vegetation around Prince Albert.
Flora & Fauna
The desert vegetation includes Prince Albert Succulent Karoo plains and hills and the Dorps River woodland. It features spectacular scenery, endemic plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, cultural artefacts and a two-kilometre stretch of the Dorps River. Only 5 km from Prince Albert, it is accessible for schools and tourists wanting guided walks. Get a preview of the reserve by watching the videos below.
See the biodiversity of life living in the reserve,
download the checklists by clicking on the icon name below
Partners In Protection
Nature Reserves need protection from poaching, wood cutting, littering and vandalism. We are grateful to Barend, Petrus and the other Ratel Rangers who patrol Wolwekraal day and night to protect the wildlife and flora from poaching, snares, dogs, and tree cutting. They are also training youngsters to gather up litter and care for the veld. GCBR is co-funding the Ratel Ranger activities on Wolwekraal Nature Reserve. Security cameras keep an eye on Wolwekraal Nature Reserve and alert management to the presence of intruders as well as feral dogs and cats that prey on wildlife.
Wildlife Protection Solutions donated two high-tech security cameras and software that sends human images to the control centre mobile phones so that the rangers can rapidly respond to suspected intruders on the Wolwekraal Nature Reserve.
The Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA) donated additional high-tech security cameras that enable us to protect endemic succulents on Wolwekraal Nature Reserve.
Surviving The Drought
A great drought and above-average temperatures squeezed the life out of the Central Karoo District between January 2015 and May 2023. These
conditions killed about 40% of the long-lived
shrubs, damaged the farming economy
and increased unemployment.
The drought was broken by a thunderstorm in May 2023 and two months of cloudy, cold, damp weather that resulted in spectacular flower displays. Since the drought selectively killed a common poisonous shrub (Pteronia pallens known as Scholtzbos), veld conditions may now improve on well-managed farms.