Orighstad Dam Nature Reserve

The Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve lies between the towns of Orighstad and Lydenburg on the edge of the Greater Drakensberg escarpment. It's a 2 500ha reserve with wild grasslands and wide open skies, a large expanse of water and dramatic mountain views. It's an easy stop if you're travelling along Mpumalanga's Panorama Route, and makes for a good day visit.

The Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve has become most popular for its fishing and birding adventures. Pack the fishing gear, the picnic stuff, your bird books and binoculars. The Ohrigstad Dam is home to yellowtail, carp, tilapia and catfish. Birders should look out for grassland species like the familiar chat and rufus-naped lark, and forest dwellers like olive woodpeckers, red-necked francolins, and the Cape batis. Around the dam you can expect waterbirds like herons, cormorants and ducks. Higher in the skies, look out for buzzards, vultures and kites.