“It’s just a jump to the left; and then a step to the right” – iconic lyrics of the Time Warp song in the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Perfectly appropriate to describe directions to the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, because it is just a 12km hop, skip and jump from G’town.
“It’s just a jump to the left; and then a step to the right” – iconic lyrics of the Time Warp song in the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Perfectly appropriate to describe directions to the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, because it is just a 12km hop, skip and jump from G’town.
But beyond its super-convenient proximity, Thomas Baines is so appealing because of how easily you can immerse yourself there; both in wildlife and in water, for a day or a stay.
This Eastern Cape Parks-managed nature reserve also has the fabulous Settlers’ Dam within it.
It offers splendid water-side picnic sites together with activities that range from game-drives and bird-watching to sailing and canoeing, board-sailing and bass fishing.
Indeed, the Rhodes University canoeing, sailing and rowing clubs all train and have facilities at Settlers’ Dam.
All in all, Thomas Baines covers over 1 300ha and encompasses the three distinct habitats of the Eastern Cape: grassy fynbos, valley bushveld and afromontane forest. This allows for a wonderful diversity of fauna and flora to flourish, including about 175 recorded species of birds, 25 kinds of reptile and 50 types of mammals.
As with all South African reserves, poaching is a challenge, but you can still see everything from a small herd of stately buffalo to eland, red hartebeest, bushbuck, kudu, oribi, aardvark, zebra, warthog, bushpig, vervet monkeys, genets, baboons and a host of small mammals like springhare.
Well known for its contribution to environmental education, the reserve also has a fully equipped environmental learning centre, with comfortable two-sleeper en suite rooms for teachers and dormitories that can handle up to 60 learners.
This accommodation can also be booked by smaller private groups, while a wonderfully wild campsite is also available at Settlers’ Dam.
Ultimately, whether you’re a day-tripper or staying the night; at the water’s edge or deep in the bush; bird-watching, game-viewing or water-sporting; Thomas Baines offers it all – on your doorstep.
Just take the jump and get there. No reservations are needed to go day-tripping on the wild side!
How to get there
Take the N2 towards Port Elizabeth and turn left towards Kenton-on-Sea. The reserve is about 2km from the turn.
Contacts
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency for accommodation reservations: 043 701 9600
Thomas Baines Reserve: 046 622 7043
Don’t forget
Sunblock and tick repellent – summer is tick season.
Who’s Thomas Baines?
Thomas Baines was a legendary 19th century artist, explorer and naturalist who spent much time in the area.
