Spioenkop game reserve

Overview–southafrica

Spioenkop Game Reserve

Spioenkop is a small, but very scenic, game reserve at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains. Central to the reserve is a large dam open to the public for fishing and water sports. There is a small wildlife-viewing circuit for self-drive visitors. Other activities include horseback safaris and hiking. White rhinos, giraffes and zebra are usually seen.

Best Time to Visit

Spioenkop can be visited throughout the year, but the best time for wildlife viewing is during the dry months of June to September. The end of the Dry season (from August to September) is a particularly nice time since all water in the bush is exhausted, and the animals congregate on the lakeshore. For lake activities, the summer months (October to April) are better.

Scenery

Spioenkop has a real bush feel, with acacia thorns studding the grassy plains. The Drakensberg Mountains form a dramatic backdrop, and the big lake a scenic center point. In winter, the slopes are covered with massive flowering aloes.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Jan

Feb

Mar

Nov

Dec

April

Oct

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: Jun-Sep (wildlife), Oct-Apr (lake activities)

High Season

From: Never (The reserve is never busy)

Size

From: 60km² / 23mi²

Wildlife & Animals

The small size of Spioenkop isn’t able to sustain populations of some of the bigger animals and predators. The exception is the white rhino, which roams around the reserve. Since part of the park is not accessible by car, seeing them is not guaranteed. Other species regularly encountered are giraffe, kudu, eland, blue wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck, and blesbok.

General Wheather

The weather and climate of Spioenkop is comparable to that of South Africa in general.

May to September –Winter

MayKruger & Around: This month brings the end of summer. Rainfall dwindles down. Temperatures are pleasant; typically 12°C/54°F in the morning and 27°C/81°F in the afternoon. Cape Town & Around: Rainfall increases with the start of winter. It cools down to an average of 20°C/68°F in the afternoon.
June, July & August Kruger & Around: Morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold, so it's advisable to pack warm winter clothing. The average morning temperature is 10°C/50°F. Afternoons will be pleasant with temperatures around 26°C/79°F. Rain is extremely rare. Cape Town & Around: There is regular rainfall and cloudy skies are common. Mornings are usually around 8°C/46°F and afternoons around 18°C/64°F.
September Kruger & Around: The heat gradually builds up to about 29°C/84°F in the afternoons, and the first rains bring relief from very dry conditions. Mornings are pleasant with temperatures of around 14°C/57°F.Cape Town & Around: Cloudy conditions are common, but daytime temperatures increase gradually at the end of winter. Afternoons reach temperatures of around 19°C/66°F.

October to April –Summer

October & November Kruger & Around: It gets warmer and it starts to rain more often, mostly in the afternoons. Temperatures are between 18°C/64°F in the morning and 31°C/88°F in the afternoon. Cape Town & Around: The average afternoon temperature in November is a pleasant 24°C/75°F. Most days are sunny and it only rains sporadically.
December, January & February Kruger & Around: These are the wettest months, characterized by torrential downpours in the afternoon. The heat can be oppressive with average afternoon temperatures around 32°C/90°F with high humidity. Peak temperatures are much higher. Cape Town & Around: The weather is lovely; afternoons are around 26°C/79°F and the skies are mostly blue. It still rains occasionally, but usually not for long.
March & April Kruger & Around: Rainfall decreases, and it slowly gets cooler. This continues in April, which has lovely, clear weather. The nights get a bit colder but are still pleasant at about 18°C/64°F. Daytime temperatures are around 30°C/86°F and humidity drops in April. Cape Town & Around: It cools down at the end of summer. The average high in April is 23°C/73°F and it drops to about 12°C/54°F at night. Rainfall and cloudy conditions increase, but there are still many lovely days.

Prons

Beautiful scenery with mountain and lake views
Great birding
Little visited park and only busy during weekends
Twice-daily guided horse rides
Self-guided hiking trail
Inexpensive rest camp in the park
Malaria-free

Cons

Not many big safari animals present
Very small game-drive circuit
Busy with locals visiting for lake activities on the weekend

How To Get There

Spioenkop lies at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains between Johannesburg (350km/217 mi) and Durban (250km/155 mi). It can easily be incorporated in a self-drive itinerary including that part of the country.