R725 166 | Karoo Sanctuary For Sale in Witteberg Private Nature Reserve, District Laingsburg

Call this phenomenal haven home? Yes, you can ...

An incredible opportunity to buy a stand for your getaway, or getaway-and-stay-for-good cottage - amidst the magnificence of the Witteberg Mountains, and in the process, become co-owner of this exclusive 4 365 hectare Reserve.

The Reserve unparalleled - the land, which has not been cultivated or grazed by livestock for almost two decades, has been restored to its former glory, and has again become home to a plethora of endemic Fauna, Flora and Birdlife. With no interference from man, the rich biodiversity of the area has been reclaimed and the process ongoing - a joy to behold!

A proclaimed Nature Reserve under the National Protected Areas Act, the main focus is the conservation of the Witteberg Fynbos, but to nature lovers, star gazers, artists, writers, birders, photographers, and the seekers of silence, it offers everything dreams are made of.

It is the Karoo that inspired Canadian Poet and Songwriter, Helen Lockhart, to write – inter alia: “The Karoo ... where wise men seek the light; where each step is a dance of karoo magic; where the spaces in between are filled by heaven; where the earth is mine; where my soul finds its rest; where peace is in every breath; where I inhale and know I’ve come home ...”

PHOTO CREDITS: The majority of the photos displayed attributed to the patience and exceptional photographic skills of Tish Archer (permanent resident on the Reserve) and Jack Solomons (Reserve assistant). Some snapped by the field camera and visitors.

DETAIL:

• COTTAGE FOOTPRINT – 120m² (building guidelines apply - not stringent).
• No building timeline.
• 250m² can be fenced if needed.
• PRICE INCLUDES an undivided share (6%) of the 4 365 hectare Reserve (15 owners in total).
• GARAGE OR CARPORT allowed underneath cottage.
• LEVY: R1 800 per month.
• PRICES OF REMAINING PLOTS range from R725 166 to R839 166


• THE RESERVE OFFERS NATURE AT ITS FINEST: An unspoiled sanctuary for a wide variety of indigenous plant species, wildlife, including the endangered Riverine Rabbit (and yes, the shy Cape Leopard traverse the area from time to time, and so does the Brown Hyena lately), some rare Fynbos species, raptors, birds, reptiles and amphibians – no hunting or trapping allowed. Lists of species recorded on the Reserve available on request.


• CAPE FLORAL KINGDOM: Within the transitional zone between the Klein- and Groot Karoo, the Reserve, part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, features beautiful specimens of both the Fynbos- and Succulent Biomes. Largely pristine, all invader species have been removed – an ongoing process.


• FOSSILS: Once part of a shallow inland sea around 320 million years ago, followed by monumental volcanic eruptions some 180 million years ago, fossils found in the Witteberg Mountains are of primitive fish, an extinct species of shark, brachiopods, bivalves, a meter long sea scorpion, plant fossils and numerous animal tracks. A selection already available for the Museum on the Reserve – with conceivably a myriad more to add to the collection.


• ROCK ART: Some caves with weathered Rock Art to explore.


• HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS: A network of some 44km of trails lead to almost every corner of the Reserve’s spectacular array of plants, ruins and heritage sites. And en route – the most glorious scenery in every direction!


• NO SECURITY ISSUES – we have it on ‘good authority’ that the friendly Witteberg Ghost has a hand in securing the (already secured) entrance to the Reserve!


• NO LAND CLAIMS.


• DISTANCES: Bordering the Anysberg Nature Reserve, a declared World Heritage Site, the Reserve is 50km from Laingsburg, 57km from Matjiesfontein, 59km from Touws River, and 239km from Cape Town, with a stretch of 25km very good dirt road to the Reserve – suitable for any sedan.


• Easy day trips to both Anysberg (115km from the Reserve by road), and the historic, famed and most beautiful pass in South Africa, the Seweweekspoort Pass – also 115km - a must!