LOCATION
Benfontein Nature Reserve near Kimberley in the Northern
Cape offers camping accommodation and is part of the
De
Beers Diamond Route. The Reserve is famous for its
unusual nocturnal mammal species, birdlife and its herd
of pure Black Wildebeest.
ABOUT BENFONTEIN NATURE RESERVE
Originally bought by De Beers in 1891 for its diamond
reserves, Benfontein today is dedicated to the conservation
of fauna and flora. Benfontein is located just 10 km
south-east of Kimberley in the Northern Cape Province
and covers 11 000 hectares of arid terrain, favoured
by more unusual species.
Strategically located in a transitional zone where
dry Karoo, grassland and Kalahari thornveld savannah
meet, species diversity at Benfontein is a big attraction.
ACCOMMODATION
Camping
- Campsites are limited to 6 persons per campsite
- Campsites have electricity points
- Barbeque facilities
- Ablution facilities
Facilities
- Basic Facilities for Groups, Scouts and schools
- Picnic area & ablutions
RATES
For the latest Rates and Enquiries - click
here
ACTIVITIES
- Access to the farm for bird groups - max 20 people
- Bird guides can be hired (Bird guide travels in
guest vehicle)
- Game drives available on request - drives are 2
- 2 1/2 hours in duration
- Maximum of 9 people per vehicle
- Children under 3 travel free, children under 12
at a discounted rate
- Visitors to meet at the picnic site
For more
information, rates and enquiries - click here
WILDLIFE
The property is famous for its nocturnal specials such
as aardwolf, black footed cat, Cape fox, aardvark and
various species of nocturnal birds and rodents. Benfontein,
which encompasses a large open pan, also supports herds
of springbok, ostrich and black wildebeest.
Black Wildebeest
De Beers has played an important role in saving the
Black Wildebeest from total extinction at the beginning
of the twentieth century. In the early 1970s it was
further established that the De Beers owned farm Benfontein
(Kimberley) carried the largest private herd of this
rare and endangered species in the Cape Province.
At present the largest threat to the Black Wildebeest
is the problem of hybridisation with its cousin, the
Blue Wildebeest, thus causing genetic contamination.
Fortunately the Benfontein Black Wildebeest population
has been kept isolated from other Wildebeest populations
over the years, and no other Black Wildebeest were introduced
to the existing herd.
The Benfontein population is considered to be one of
the last genetically pure populations in South Africa
and is currently being used as one of the few reference
populations. DNA samples collected from animals in this
unique population are currently being used as part of
the baseline dataset for pure Black Wildebeest in South
Africa. De Beers is currently a member of the "National
Wildebeest Working Group" and still continues to
be a significant role-player in the conservation of
this highly threatened animal.
BIRDLIFE
Birding is especially good in the area with over 260
bird species being recorded and amongst others include
the following species:
If it is larks and pipits you favour, Benfontein has
plenty on offer. Twelve different larks and five species
of pipit are amongst the 260 bird species recorded here.
Also look out for over 40 sociable weaver colonies
in camel thorn trees. African White-backed Vultures
and numerous raptors also breed on the farm, along with
Tawny Eagle, Secretary bird, Greater Kestrel and Verreaux's
Eagle-Owl.
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