Sandveld Nature Reserve
Sandveld Nature Reserve | |
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IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve) | |
View of the Bloemhof Dam and the southern shore below the wall, where the reserve is located | |
Location in The Free State | |
Nearest city | Bloemhof |
Coordinates | 27°44′S 25°38′E / 27.733°S 25.633°ECoordinates: 27°44′S 25°38′E / 27.733°S 25.633°E |
Area | 37,000 Ha |
Sandveld Nature Reserve is a protected area in the Free State, South Africa.
Location
It is located on the Free State side of the Bloemhof Dam. Bloemhof Dam lies where the Vaal River and the Vet River meet on the border between the Free State and North West provinces.
The complete area around the Dam has been proclaimed a Nature Reserve. Since it is on the border between two provinces, two separate Nature Reserves were established. On the Free State side is the Sandveld Nature Reserve, while the protected area on the North West side is called Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve.
Flora and fauna
The Sandveld Nature Reserve is about 37,000 Ha in size. It is named after its sandy sandveld area, although part of its surface consists of thornveld savanna, with camelthorn trees.[1]
Among the large mammals present in the reserve, the white rhino, giraffe, sable antelope, roan antelope, African buffalo, blue wildebeest and zebra deserve mention.