- INTRODUCTION
Very few eco-destination in the Northern Cape are as scenic as Witsand Nature Reserve. Witsand lies next to the exceptional Langberg Mountain that forms the backdrop to the reserve. The combination of white sand dunes as well as red sand dunes is a rear scene. The calm and quite of this destination in luxury accommodation is a spoil to its visitors. The sixty meter high white dunes provide a playground for old and young. The Roaring sand is a bonus and a natural wonder to visitors with no real scientific explanation, only a few theories. It is worth your while to visit the information centre at reception. The pristine arid Acacia woodlands and game enhance the rustic experience.
- HISTORY
Witsand is the most recent acquisition of the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Services. The larger portion of the reserve was purchased in 1993 and the area gained nature reserve status on proclamation in April 1994. The nature reserve is approximately 3,500 ha in size, most of which comprises the unique dune system. Although, by comparison, Witsand is relatively small reserve it nevertheless has already gained popularity through its extraordinary splendour.
Witsand has a long history of inhabitants as it is one of the only permanent water sources in the area. Archaeologists have found evidence of several Stone Age sites reflecting the changing lifestyles over many thousands of years. The Korana from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries AD left Potcherds and stone tools from that period. Tswana farmers also occupied the area in the same period but retreated eastward due to drought and conflict. In 1872 George Stow paid a visit to Witsand and found that it was inhabited by Bushmen who struggled to survive due to the fact that large game has been hunted near to extinction. Bushman art has not been found within the reserve, which is logic as there are no real mountains with rocks within the reserve.
Two colonial wars were fought in this region in 1878 and 1896-1897. In 1914 Boer rebel troops under General Kemp were involved in skirmishes with troops loyal to the union. In 1959 the archaeologist Dr G Fock visited Witsand and met a family of coloured people here related to the Rehoboth Basters of Namibia. During this period a large number of microliths were removed from the sand and sold along the roadside, this depleted some of the heritage from this area.
- ARCHAEOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
Witsand lies next to the Langberg with rocks which are estimated to between 1,900 and 2,050 million years old and forms part of the Olifantshoek Supergroup. The Matsap Subgroup forms the eastern side of the Langberg mountain range, sloping and dipping with 30 degrees in a westerly direction to beneath the Brulsand Subgroup. Witsand’s sand covers these formation in the reserve and is much younger- only approximately 65 million years. The sands are part of the Kalahari Group. The depth of the sand in the reserve is on average 70 m deep. This basin of rock with sand on top is termed a playa, which typically get flooded in good rainy seasons. The Witsand sands consist primarily of Aeolian (windborne) sand. This basin holds vast quantities of spring, run-off and rainwater. This can be seen on the 4 x 4 tract at a place called Pepler’s hole (Pepler se gat). This quartzite basin holds no less than 1,211 million cubic metres of water at any particular time. The water in this hole has tested cleaner than rain water. The system is at present in balance.
The Roaring Sand or Brulsand is the most prominent feature of the Witsand reserve. In order to roar the sand must be warm dry and clean. The roar can vary from a hum to a roar. This effect is the result of intense friction in the fine sand. It only occurs during dry spells with less than 30% moisture and temperatures between 10 – 47 degree Celsius. Visitors must be very cautious as not to pollute the dunes, during their visits as this will stop the roaring. In the sand there are Fulgurites which are shafts of fused silica varying in shape and size. Please do not pick these up. Lightning strikes frequently in the dunes. Please keep away from the dunes during thunderstorms.
LOCATION
From Griekwastad on the R64 – 80 km tar and 45 km gravel road. Total -125 km
From Groblershoop travel for 58 km tar, turn off on gravel road for 45 km -103 km
From Olifantshoek on the N14, turn of 6 km from Oliefantshoek 75 km gravel road.
- MAP OF TOURIST FACILITIES
TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
6.1. Campsites:
Witsand boast 10 very exclusive campsites each with its private view of the duneveld. Each site with electricity ,taps nearby and clean efficient ablutions. Most sites are under large Camel Thorn trees and well shaded. Well equip braai with light to enhance your braai experience. Swimming pool nearby to cool down and keep the children busy.
- Bungalows:
Witsand have 4 newly build bungalows. Bungalows sleep three people, 2 adults and 2 children. Each bungalow has kitchen, sitting room, Bedroom, Toilet, shower, sleeper-couch and a nice braai and patio. Affordable accommodation within the dunes.
- Luxury Family Chalets:
Witsand has 10 luxury chalets with privacy and comfort, each with a private view of the duneveld. Each comprises of three bedrooms, one and a half bathroom and separate toilet. A spaces livingroom with a well equip open plan kitchen. Patio with choice of tables, well equip braai and a birdbath. All rooms with air-condition in all rooms and comfortable furnished.
- Environmental Centre
The environmental centre sleeps up to 12 people in 3 rooms. Each room with 2 single beds and one bunker bed (sleeps 4 / room). There are two fridges and tables and chairs on the enclosed veranda. They use a communal ablution block. There is a lapa for communal braai.
- Group / Family get togetherWeddings
Witsand has a great amphitheatre with a restaurant facility. The amphitheatre is ideal for the wedding ceremony with a backdrop of the dunes. This is ideal for small weddings and celebrations. There are special offers available for weddings and groups, which include specials on accommodation and catering.
Wedding without catering no accommodation. | ||
Wedding with catering, accommodation | ||
Wedding with catering, Accommodation plus décor. |
- Conferences/Restaurant
Witsand is ideal for conferences. No one is wandering off, no shops to shop or any other business to lure them away. Restaurant is not in operation only when there is organised Groups, church group or weddings and catering can be arranged as well as deals on accommodation.
Conference centre and Restaurant are fully equipment
Conference centre with all equipment Restaurant
Tariffs: Per day / night -please phone Reception
- Weddings, Consents or cultural groups
The amphitheatre is ideal for bush concerts within the rugged area surrounded by dunes.
Tariffs:
For the first 15 people | |
Additional adults | |
Children (2-16 yrs) |
- TOURIST ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
- Mountain biking
Bring your own mountain bike or spare the trouble and hire one at reception. Enjoy the reserve at own leisure and get some exercise at the same time.
Tariffs:
Witsand 4×4 Route minimum two Bakkies on the route R300 per car per day | |
Bicycles / day | |
Bicycles / half day |
- Dune / Sand boarding
Dune boarding is great fun. Slide down standing if you are young and brave or sit and slide down for the more cautious. This is fun for the whole family young and not so young. Sand Boards available at reception. Have some fun!
Tariffs:
Sand board per day | |
Sand board per half day |
- Swimming pools
Need to cool down and have fun? There are three (3) swimming pools well positioned and not far from where you reside. Enjoy a nice swim anytime of the day or night.
- Picnics
Witsand offer a nice picnic area with tables and chairs with a braai to day visitors. In the duneveld and all secluded and near the swimming pool.
- Birding
We offer most a birder can expect. Bird ponds at the chalets offer great birding opportunities from the comfort of your veranda of living room. The bird hide will add species to your list. Witsand offers you most of the species of the arid Kalahari birds, from the Kori Buzzard, raptors to the small Crombec. Do not forget your binoculars and our bird emblem!
Kori Bustard Crimson-breasted Boubou Long-billed Crombec
- Botanical meander (3 km trail)
Learn more about the Kalahari duneveld fauna. Learn about Witsand’s beautiful Camel Thorn trees, Witgat and all the other arid plant species. Plants are marked so you can recognize them.
- Team building on request
Witsand is an ideal place to come and get acquainted with your follow workers and the boss. Enjoy the activities and laugh together. Use the conference facility or the Environmental centre.
Team building can be booked with reception and refreshments etc can be arranged.
- 4 x 4 trail through the dunes
This trail is something special for the sand lovers. It also pass the famous but secluded Pepler’s hole. This natural water hole is something to be seen. The driver can test his sand driving and enjoy the beautiful sand dunes.
- Lookout points / View sites.
This is selfdrive activities that can be reached with any sedan vehicle. There are two view sites within easy reach. This offers views of the dunes of Witsand, Skurweberge and the Langberg.
From the Brulsand Viewpoint: Sand dunes Langeberg
From the Bird Hide View Site: The dunes
- BRULSAND.
This is a must visit. Drive to the foot of the sand dune and take your shoes off, feel the cool sand and enjoy your childhood memories.
- INFORMATION ON OTHER FACILITIES.
- Supplies
At the reception there is a little shop with cooldrinks and ice . There is also limited supply of basic supplies like Coffee, tea, sugar and a few others but our clients must organise enough food we are in the remote area far from the town
- Curious
Curious made by the community in the area is sold at the reception shop. T-shirts, beautiful glass bowls and sand art. It is worth a visit.
- NB :Cell phone signal
MTN & Cell-C Available.
Vodacom – AVAILABLE only at the two view sites
- MAMMALS: Look out for our mammals most will come close to your accommodation day /night.
Animal – antelopes | Tick | Animal that moves at night | Tick |
Springbok | |||
Duiker | Porcupine | ||
Gemsbok | Aardwolf | ||
Steenbok | Aardvark | ||
Red Hartebeest | Bat-eared Fox | ||
Other | Cape Fox | ||
Ground Squirrel | Genet | ||
Grey mongoose | Spring Hare | ||
Black tip mongoose | |||
Suricate ( stokstert meerkat) |
Genet Black tail-tip Mongoose Red Meerkat
Duiker ewe Duiker ram Springbok
- BIRDING LIST
The list is of more common birds of the area, some may be excluded.
Bird- Land birds / savannah | Tick | Bird- Doves | Tick |
Burchell’s Sandgrouse | Cape turtle dove | ||
Double-banded Sandgrouse | Laughing dove | ||
Spotted Thick Knee | Namaqua dove | ||
Temminck’s courser | Rock pigeon | ||
Burchell’s courser | Owls | ||
Double-banded courser | Pearl-spotted Owl | ||
Black Korhaan | Giant Eagle owl | ||
White Bellied Korhaan | Spotted eagle owl | ||
Karoo Korhaan | Swallows / Martins / swifts | ||
Kori Bustard | Brown-Throated Martin | ||
Helmeted Guineafowl | Rock Martin | ||
Secretary Bird | Family Swift | ||
Ostrich | Bradfield Swift | ||
Birds of pray | Horus Swift | ||
Black-Breasted Snake Eagle | Bee- Eaters | ||
Tawny Eagle | Swallow-tailed Bee-Eater | ||
Martial Eagle | Barbet / Woodpecker | ||
Jackal Buzzard | Pied Barbet | ||
Black-Shouldered Kite | Cardinal Woodpecker | ||
Gabar Goshawk | Golden-tailed Woodpecker | ||
Pale Chanting Goshawk | Larks / Pipit | ||
Lanner Falcon | Fawn-coloured Lark | ||
Greater Kestrel | Sabota Lark | ||
Pigmy Falcon | Clapper Lark | ||
Insect eaters | Red-capped Lark | ||
Cape wagtail | Spike-heeled Lark | ||
Pied Crow | Pink-billed Lark | ||
Black Crow | Black-Eared Finchlark | ||
Red-Eyed Bulbul | Grassveld Pipit | ||
Southern Grey Tit | Other | ||
Olive Thrush | Black-chested Prinia | ||
Capped Wheatear | Spotted Prinia | ||
Rufous-eared Warbler | |||
Sickle-winged Chat | Chat Flycather | ||
Familiar Chat | Fiscal Flycatcher | ||
Ant-eating Chat | Pririt Batis | ||
Stone Chat | Fiscal Shrike | ||
Kalihari Robin | Crimson-breasted Boubou | ||
Long-billed Crombec | Cape Glossy Starling | ||
Titbabbler | Dusky Sunbird | ||
Layards Titbabbler | Cape White Eye | ||
Sparrow / Finch / Weaver | Firefinch / Waxbill | ||
Grey-headed Sparrow | Red-billed Firefinch | ||
House Sparrow | Black-cheeked waxbill | ||
Red-billed Quelea | Common waxbill | ||
Scaly-feathered Finch | Violet-eared Waxbill | ||
Socialble Weaver | Red- headed Finch | ||
Cape Sparrow | Canary | ||
White-browed Sparrow Weaver | Forest Canary | ||
Masked Weaver | Black-headed Canary | ||
White-winged Widow | White-throated Canary | ||
Melba Finch | Black-throated Canary | ||
Lark-like Bunting | Cape Bunting | ||
Golden-breasted Bunting |
Please book through the reception contact number: 053 3131061/ 0832347573
Email adress:reception@witsandkalahaeri.co.za