Bokong Nature Reserve

Bokong sits at around three thousand metres beside the Mafika-Lisiu pass on the road to Katse, and its visitor centre is built on the lip of a gorge above the Lepaqoa waterfall, which freezes into a column of ice through the winter. The reserve protects high alpine wetland and grassland, habitat for the bearded vulture and the ice rat, and a trail runs from here through to Tsehlanyane over two or three days.

Background

The reserve lies between 2800 and 3200 metres above sea level. Its Afro-alpine wetlands are where the Bokong and Lepaqoa rivers rise, surrounded by montane grassland with scattered heathland boulder beds, both regularly used by Vaal rhebuck. The entrance is beside the visitor centre, signposted to the left off the highway after the Mafika Lisiu Pass. The centre sits on a cliff edge above the Lepaqoa Valley and has a picnic site and an interpretive path climbing to the top of the falls, with guides and horses for hire. Camping is allowed anywhere in the reserve, and two rondavels of stone and thatch stand near the falls.

Source: Wikipedia, "Bokong Nature Reserve"

What's there

• The Lepaqoa falls - the waterfall below the centre, frozen solid in winter.
• The visitor centre - the building on the lip of the gorge at three thousand metres.
• The alpine wetland - the high bogs that feed the rivers below.
• The bearded vulture - the raptor that uses these mountains.

When to go

September to April is the milder season. The waterfall freezes into an ice column through winter, which is its own reason to come. Snow closes the pass at times.

What to expect

The altitude is genuinely high and the wind is severe. The pass road can close in snow. Facilities are the centre and basic accommodation.

Nearby

Tsehlanyane is north, and Katse Dam is south.

Key facts