Weenen Game Reserve is set in an undulating thornveld that stretches to the blue-hilled horizon. Much of this 5 000-hectare reserve was once badly degraded farmland and considerable rehabilitation by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has seen it restored to its former splendour. This lesser-known reserve lies 25 km northeast of Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal. The gravel roads inside the park can be a bit rough for certain vehicles, especially after heavy rains.
Game viewing can be a bit challenging, especially in summer when the grass is tall. Although I missed out on rhinos (the park has both White and Black Rhino), my game drives produced a healthy sprinkling of Giraffe, Eland, Kudu, Zebra, Waterbuck and Red hartebeest.
It’s a good idea to vary your game watching with walks. The gorgeous, three-kilometre Beacon View Trail takes you to the edge of an escarpment that drops away into the Bushman's River Valley. Try to get there at sunrise for the best light when mist tendrils still linger in the leafy kloofs.
By Justin Fox