Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
| Jonkershoek Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
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IUCN category II (national park) | |
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| Location | Western Cape, South Africa |
| Nearest city | Stellenbosch |
| Coordinates | 33°55′51″S 18°51′16″E / 33.93083°S 18.85444°ECoordinates: 33°55′51″S 18°51′16″E / 33.93083°S 18.85444°E |
| Area | 11,000 ha (27,000 acres) |
| Governing body | CapeNature |
| Official website | |
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is a CapeNature nature reserve located approximately 10 km (6 mi) east of the town of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It covers an area of approximately 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres).[1]
Description
The reserve lies below the Hottentots-Holland Mountains and it contains the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve. It includes the Jonkershoek Mountains and portions of the upper Jonkershoek valley. The Eerste River and Berg River have their origins in these mountains, the former also flowing through the Jonkershoek valley on its way to False Bay.
History
The name Jonkershoek is said to hail from the 17th century owner of one of the freeholds that Simon van der Stel issued in the valley: Jan Andriessen, who had been a bachelor midshipman, was also known as Jan de Jonkheer [2] and named his grant of land Vallei Jonkershoek.[1]
Started as the Assegaaibosch farmstead in 1790, it was subsequently altered substantially by its various occupants. In 1817 Lord Charles Somerset granted the land to Wouter Eduard Wium, with the special proviso that he plant oak trees, and the area now includes many huge oaks.[1]
In 1960 the Cape Provincial Administration purchased Assegaaibosch, and the house was renovated to its present condition. It is now a national monument and is used as a guest house.
Access
From Stellenbosch follow Jonkershoek Road.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Jonkershoek Nature Reserve". CapeNature. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ↑ "Jonkershoek Valley Heritage Survey: Who's Who in the Jonkershoek Valley". Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. |
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