Thomas Baines

Located in

Named after the 19th century artist, the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve is a 1 005ha reserve in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. Offering visitors with a variety of outdoor adventure activities for day visitors or camping enthusiasts, enjoy game drives, bass fishing, hiking and water sports along the northern shore of Settlers Dam on the boundary of the reserve. Teeming with birdlife, the 15km of dirt tracks make for excellent game drives, nature walks and mountain biking. Look out for eland, zebra, red hartebeest, warthogs and monkeys as you negotiate the reserve’s lush fynbos and Albany thicket landscapes. Scenic but basic, non-powered campsites on the banks of Settlers Dam offer a rustic charm, in close proximity to excellent fishing, sailing and hiking sites.
Activity Permits

Activity permits are temporary form of permission giving private operators approval to host lawful activities within the protected area/ nature reserves.

These activities range from lifestyle events such as weddings, music festivals to adventure and nature based activities such as trail running, cycling, horse riding, canoeing etc. For more information, and to apply for an activity permit, please contact Ms Siyasanga Mabuyane or Mr Bulelani Silangwe at Siyasanga.mabuyane@ecpta.co.za or bulelani.silangwe@ecpta.co.za

Please be advised that an approved activity permit can only be used once for the event/activity applied for.

General Information

Boys/Girls Dormitories (30 persons maximum per dormitory) (Off-Peak)
Student Rate: R59 | Adult: R87
Boys/Girls Dormitories (30 persons maximum per dormitory) (Peak)
Student Rate: R66 | Adult: R93
Teachers Rooms (2 bedrooms and 1 shower) (Off-Peak)
R141
Teachers Rooms (2 bedrooms and 1 shower) (Peak)
R157
Dungbeetle Cottage (2 bedrooms, 1 shower - sleeps 4) (Off-Peak)
Base Rate: R684 & R190 per person
Dungbeetle Cottage (2 bedrooms, 1 shower - sleeps 4) (Peak)
Base Rate: R648 & R218 per person
Campsite (Off-Peak)
R357 per night
Campsite (Peak)
R386
Gate Times:
06h00 - 18h00
Waters Meeting (Horse Shoe Cabin) (Off-Peak)
R122 per person
Waters Meeting (Horse Shoe Cabin) (Peak)
R122 per person

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Hiking
  • Nature walks
  • Camping
  • Picnicking
  • Self-drive game viewing
  • Swimming
  • Fishing

Nearby Attractions

  • Grahamstown - host of the National Arts Festival
  • Albany museum
  • Observatory museum
  • Settlers monument
  • Sunshine Coast - beautiful, pristine

Contact Info

Reserve Number
Reserve Manager
(046) 6227216
GPS
Lat: 33°23′28″S 26°29′13
Long: 33°23′28″S 26°29′13
Office hours
:    06:00 to 18:00
:    6:00 to 18:00

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