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.