The 40 000-hectare Rooipoort Nature Reserve has belonged to De Beers since 1893 and is one of the oldest conservation areas in southern Africa. The arid Kimberly Thornveld that is bordered in the north by 32 kms of Orange River is home to a wide variety of bird species and 14 species of antelope.
Rooipoort Nature Reserve lies in the transitional zone between the Karoo, Kalahari and grassland zones. Over 4600 bushmen petroglyphs have been found on Rooipoort Nature Reserve and the historic building the “shooting box” was built in 1899 with both of these giving an indication of the importance of this reserve to preserving cultural and historical heritage. Rooipoort has also played a pivotal role in breeding rare species with the Black Wildebeest being the most notable of these.
1 of 6: Male Red-Backed Shrike.
2 of 6: Sunrise over one of Rooipoorts waterholes.
3 of 6: Pririt Batis.
4 of 6: The historical "Shooting Box".
5 of 6: There are 32 kms of Orange River frontage in the Rooipoort Nature Reserve.
6 of 6: Sabota Lark.