Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
| Jonkershoek Nature Reserve | |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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| Jonkershoek Nature Reserve | |
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| Location | Western Cape, South Africa |
| Nearest city | Stellenbosch |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Area | 11,000 ha (27,000 acres) |
| Governing body | CapeNature |
| http://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/jonkershoek-nature-reserve/ | |
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is a CapeNature nature reserve located approximately 10 km (6 mi) south-east of the town of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It covers an area of approximately 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres).[1]
Description
The reserve lies north of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains within the Hottentots-Holland Mountain Catchment Area and it contains the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve. It includes the Jonkershoek Mountains and portions of the upper Jonkershoek valley. The Eerste River and Berg River have their origins in these mountains, the former also flowing through the Jonkershoek valley on its way to False Bay.
History
The name Jonkershoek is said to hail from the 17th century owner of one of the freeholds that Simon van der Stel issued in the valley: Jan Andriessen, who had been a bachelor midshipman, was also known as Jan de Jonkheer [2] and named his grant of land Vallei Jonkershoek.[1]
Started as the Assegaaibosch farmstead in 1790, it was subsequently altered substantially by its various occupants. In 1817 Lord Charles Somerset granted the land to Wouter Eduard Wium, with the special proviso that he plant oak trees, and the area now includes many huge oaks.[1]
In 1960 the Cape Provincial Administration purchased Assegaaibosch, and the house was renovated to its present condition. It is now a national monument and is used as a guest house.
Wildlife
The Jonkershoek mountains are home to Leopards, Caracals, Klipspringer, Baboons, Honey Badgers and Mongooses, however, all but the baboons are very secretive. Birdlife includes kingfishers, black eagles, fish eagles, spotted eagle owls, sugarbirds, orange-breasted sunbirds and protea seed eaters.
Access
From Stellenbosch follow Jonkershoek Road.
References
External links
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