LOCATION
Dronfield Nature Reserve near Kimberley, Northern
Cape, has self catering accommodation and is part of
the De
Beers Diamond Route.
ABOUT DRONFIELD NATURE RESERVE
The 12 000 hectares Dronfield Nature Reserve has belonged
to De Beers since 1888 and was originally bought as
a deposition site for the nearby mine.
It was instructed that the "portion of the estate
not needed for mining floors purposes could be advantageously
let for grazing"
This only changed in 2004 when Dronfield was proclaimed
a nature reserve and stocked with herds of antelope
as well as other mammal species.
Culturally speaking, Dronfield figured prominently
during the Anglo Boer War and wagon tracks can still
be seen traversing the property.
When the siege of Kimberley commenced, De Beers had
a large supply of dynamite in stock which was all detonated
on Dronfield to ensure the safety of Kimberley.
Although several skirmishes took place on Dronfield
Ridge between the Boers and Diamond Fields Artillery,
no damage was done to the property.
ACCOMMODATION
Two-sleeper luxury
Fully equipped self-catering chalets available
Open plan bedroom/kitchenette - 2 x 3/4 beds.
Four-sleeper luxury
Fully equipped self-catering chalets available
Two single beds and a double sleeper couch
Sleeper couch suitable for children under 12
- All units include private braai area, kitchenette
with microwave and two plate stove
- Units are serviced daily
- Swimming pool available to residents only.
Note! Special rate available to business
men and women traveling alone.
For the
latest Rates and Enquiries - click here
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
- Conference Area available for a maximum of 30 people
- Includes use of conference facility, tea & coffee,
water and mints
- Catering can be arranged.
For the
latest Rates & Enquiries – click here
ACTIVITIES
- Birding - a Bird guide can be hired. (Bird guide
travels in guests' vehicle)
- Game drives available on request
- Maximum of 9 people per vehicle
- Drives are 2 - 2 1/2 hours in duration
- Children under 3 travel free, children under 12
at a discounted rate
- Vulture hide available for residents to enjoy at
their leisure
For more
information, rates and enquiries - click here
WILDLIFE
Dronfield has herds of eland, gemsbok, blue wildebeest,
red hartebeest, zebra and kudu - all translocated from
the De Beers property Rooipoort Nature Reserve, 70km
west of Kimberley.
White rhino and sable antelope populations have been
introduced, along with breeding populations of buffalo
and roan antelope.
There are also tsessebe on an adjoining farm, the objective
being to breed suitable populations for release on Dronfield
and other De Beers conservation properties.
BIRDLIFE
Birding is good in the area with over 140 bird species
being recorded.
Importantly, Dronfield is home to a breeding colony
of White-backed Vultures, which has been extensively
researched for over 20 years.
A vulture restaurant has also been established on
the reserve to enable researchers and visitors to watch
these enormous birds from up close.
Dronfield is situated very close to Kamfer's dam, home
to up to 50 000 Lesser Flamingoes.
An artificial island in Kamfer's Dam is now used by
this species for breeding and may become only the fourth
regular breeding site for this species in the world.
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