OUDTSHOORN ACTIVITIES
MINWATER ECO ADVENTURES
Overview
Minwater Eco Adventures is based at Minwater (Little Water), which is located 24km southwest of the town of Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo (Little Karoo). The area stretches from Montagu in the west to Uniondale in the east and from the top of the Swartberg Mountain Range in the north and the top of the Outeniqua and Langeberg Ranges in the south.
The Klein Karoo is a transitional region between the western winter rainfall area and the eastern summer rainfall area and as a result gets both summer and winter rain. Apart from the mountain ranges, however, the area is regarded as a semi-desert because of the low rainfall. Nonetheless, the Klein Karoo is blessed with an amazing diversity of plants and other wildlife.
Minwater Eco Adventures offers a wide range of activities aimed at creating awareness of the wonders of nature and the need for responsible human behaviour regarding the natural environment. Consequently, clients will be enriched with enhanced knowledge and understanding of the creatures and objects of nature, as well as improved skills of observation and interpretation.
We invite you on a journey of exploration and discovery!
Minwater Eco Adventures offers a variety of nature related activities, including:
- Interpretative nature tours, conducted at Minwater or a location of the client’s choice, which can be of a general nature or can be focused on aspects such as:
Plants in general
Succulents
Birds
Reptiles
Mammals and their signs
Insects and other invertebrates - Presentations and talks
- Environmental education and training
- Environmental services
- Hiking
- 4×4 Trails
Fauna:
If one is observant, many species of mammals or signs of their presence can be detected at Minwater. The following species have been sighted: klipspringer, common duiker, grysbok, steenbok, grey rhebok, eland, kudu, scrub hare, Smith’s rock rabbit, rock hyrax, porcupine, several species of mouse and rat, baboon, striped polecat, small grey mongoose, yellow mongoose, water mongoose, small-spotted genet, honey badger, Cape clawless otter, aardvark, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, caracal, African wild cat and leopard.
More than 160 species of birds have been sighted at Minwater, including a number of Southern African and Western Cape endemics. (In the whole of the Klein Karoo more than 250 species of birds occur).
Furthermore, the Klein Karoo is an important area of biodiversity for reptiles and a large variety of invertebrates.
Flora:
About 600 plant species can be found at Minwater. Your host will point out (on request, at Minwater or elsewhere) many species with interesting names and ‘stories’ such as glass eye, concertina bush, goat choker, powder puff, khaki button, soap bush, mother-in-law’s chair and hairy nipple.
Despite the somewhat drab appearance of the vegetation, the Klein Karoo boasts an astonishing diversity of succulents and other plants, because in the area three biomes which are international hotspots of biodiversity, namely the Succulent Karoo, Fynbos and Subtropical Thicket, converge. (A hotspot is an area which is exceptionally rich in biodiversity compared to other areas in the same category).
Some of the plants of the Great Karoo (Nama Karoo Biome) occur in the Klein Karoo as well. Consequently, in the whole of the Klein Karoo more than 3200 plant species occur.
Get in Touch
Telephone: +27 44 279 1285
Fax: +27 82 481 3625
Email: louis@minwater.co.za
Website: www.minwater.co.za
Opening Hours
Depends on your activity you would
like to attend.
ADDRESS
Decimal Degrees (WGS84)
Latitude: -33.71249
Longitude: 22.0396
Degrees, Minutes & Seconds
Latitude: S33 42 44
Longitude: E22 02 22
GPS
Latitude: S 33 42.749
Longitude: E 22 02.376