.Bushveld & Wildlife

The Herd Reserve protects a pristine tract of rugged Limpopo Ridge Bushveld. The landscape is dominated by undulating, wooded hills, which pitch and roll gently to the horizon. Characteristic are the craggy ridges and dry riverbeds lined with tall stands of Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) and studded with the carcasses of Leadwood trees (Combretum imberbe).

Important species in the tall tree segment of the open savanna include the Mashatu or Nyala tree (Xanthocercis zambesiaca); Jackalberry (Diospyros mespiliformis); Knob Thorn (Acacia nigrescens); Marula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. Caffra) and of course, the iconic Baobab (Adansonia digitate).  

Mopane stands (Colophospermum mopane) dominate the plains, the White Syringa (Kirkia acuminata) with its umbrella-shaped canopy is prominent on the crests of the ridges, while groves of Fever trees (Vachellia xanthophloea) and Rock Figs (Ficus abutilifolia) hug the banks of the Limpopo and Nzhelele – all of which create a scenic backdrop to a rich variety of wildlife, including Giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, Blue wildebeest, Kudu, Impala, Waterbuck, Eland, Gemsbok and other antelope species, including the endemic Nyala, as well as naturally occurring predators, such as leopard, wild dog, hyena and jackal.

Birders can tick off 250 species, including the magnificent fish eagle, and such rarities as the crested guineafowl.