History of South African Nature Reserves
Just like South Africa itself, nature reserves around the country also have a fascinating history. Read all about how these parks came into existence.
History and geology buffs will find the history of these iconic South African nature reserves and national parks fascinating - from the geological formation of the land to the first human settlers to the proclamation of a nature reserve.

Rich in historical San art, the Cederberg Wilderness Area offers spectacular scenery, a wide diversity of plant species and an extensive net...
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South Africa's uKhahlamba-Drakensberg National Park has been inhabited by mankind since the Middle Stone Age and boasts a number of historic...
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Proclaimed South Africa's first World Heritage Site in 1999, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal has a long and rich history of e...
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Considered to be one of the most ambitious game reserve projects in the world, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is home to at least 86 species o...
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The Garden Route National Park covers 157 000 hectares of land and is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and a wide diversity of lan...
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Located in South Africa's Limpopo Province, Mapungubwe National Park is a Big Five game reserve. Considered the most influential and importa...
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The West Coast National Park is home to one of the finest coastal wetlands in the country, and is renowned for its magnificent spring flower...
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From 1979, more than 6,000 animals of various species were moved into quarantine enclosures to acclimatise before being released into Pilane...
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The Addo Elephant National Park has a long and bloody past, as it was once the location for many clashes between tribes and colonisers...
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A groundbreaking project to bring the Quagga back from extinction is proving highly successful in a number of nature reserves in the Western...
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