St Francis dune vegetation

Despite some problems with invasive Australian Acacias the vegetation is in very good condition.  The trail meanders through the reserve, providing opportunities for observing the exciting fauna and flora of the area.

A giant snail on the trail

Do take time to visit the reserve on different times of the year to experience the whole spectrum of the flora and fauna.

Flora

 There are two trail options that can be walked, a 3.2 km or a 2.5 km loop. Both trails cover relatively flat terrain and are suitable for moderately fit people and no bundu bashing is required.  There are also a couple of geocaches (www.geocaching.com) that can be logged on the various trails.

 The tranquility of the bird hide, located near the entrance of the trail, can be utilized to observe some of the birds at a water pan.  So bring your binoculars!    If you are lucky you will spot the proud Springbuck or a plains zebra grazing in the fynbos.     Also look closer for some very interesting creatures that roam in this reserve.

A scary looking hairy worm

On the morning of our walk we did not encounter any of the various buck, but we found a lot of caracal spoor on the trail.  Don’t worry about the caracal (not the same as a lynx) as they are very shy and the possibility that you will encounter one of them is very rare.  You will be very privileged if you spot one!

Caracal spoor

Do remember that this is a nature reserve so there is always the odd possibility of snakes, especially during summer time.  Good advice is to take a walking stick when walking in the veld as well as some sunscreen and a hat for the relentless African sun.

NMMU also offers game drives, in what is probably a South African first for a university, through its private nature reserve.

 Please note that for safety purposes you need to report at the security boom when entering campus – just state that you are going to walk the Grysbok Trail and they do not have a problem.  Also sign the Visitors’ Book at the fence stile at the start of the trail to avoid any unwanted trouble as they do spot checks from time to time.

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The Hogsback Arminel Inn

Plan B included driving the road (indicated on maps as a normal road, but do not be fooled as this has degraded to a 4×4 track) from Hogsback to Seymour, which was on hubby’s to do list,  as well as picking up some caches in the area.  However the weather did not have a sunny outlook so we followed the road less traveled  through the forest to Keiskammehoek

A track leading to Keiskammahoek

Thanks to Geocaching we passed traditional huts and villages, beautiful mountain farms and forgotten small churches in this spectacular area surrounding Hogsback, Seymour, Cathcart and Keiskammahoek.

Road side to Carthcart

A small church perched on a hill

When the sun peaked for a moment through the clouds we took a walk on leave covered paths in the park and saw some magnificent birdlife, huge California redwoods, waterfalls in flood due to the incessant rain, fairy mushrooms and lush plantations.  A photographer’s dream!

Waterfalls dotted all over

Another beautiful, almost fairy-like, place visited  in my own country – a tick and a smiley on my travel bucket list!

A massive Californian redwood

Too quick the exploring of tree filled lanes in the quaint village with green pastures and  good food came to an end and we left with only the memories.

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