Located 22 km from Grahamstown, in the rugged Blaauwkrantz Gorge, lies the
Blaauwkrantz Nature Reserve which covers a total area of 200 ha on the banks of
the Blaaukrantz River. The reserve displays a diverse variety of Eastern
Province thornveld vegetation which includes over two hundred plant
species. The region is charcterised by rocky outcrops, and magnificent specimens
of aloes and tree euphorbias, also known as Candelabra trees.
The Blaauwkrantz Nature Reserve is managed by the Algoa Regional Services
Council, and also serves as a decent birding destination with 185 species
being spotted in the reserve.
An interesting variety of mammals can also be see in the Blaauwkrantz Nature Reserve, including bushbuck, vervet monkey, rock hyrax (a.k.a. rock dassie) and the Cape clawless otter. Of particular importance in the Blaaukrantz Nature Reserve is a rare and almost extinct fish called the Eastern Province rocky (Sandelia bainsii), found in pools along the Blaauwkrantz River. The reserve features an environmental education centre containing much information on the area.
Rock climbing at Blaauwkrantz Nature Reserve is another popular activity,
with the rugged cliffs of Blaauwkrantz Gorge providing challenging climbs for
all levels of mountaineering.
Located at the bottom of the Blaaukrantz Gorge, lies a magnificent pool, known
as the Blaauwkrantz Pool. Legend has it that these pools are the home of "The
People of the River" also known as Abantu Bomlambo. According to Xhosa
cosmology, the People of the River are believed to live beneath the water with
their crops and cattle, and are often consulted by initiates before they are
trained as sangomas or diviners. Those who gain approval are said to be taken
into the depths of a pool to join their society for a time. Those who are
rejected by the People of the River drown.