Among the most striking features of the reserve is a series of spectacular dolerite and sandstone cliffs, as well as numerous popular hiking and off-road trails including the Bushman and Endurance hiking trails and Palingkloof jeep track. The reserve offers scenic chalets, campsites and direct lake access, making this a great option for the perfect weekend escape.

The vegetation within the Commando Drift Nature Reserve is a mixture of arid karoo veld and recovering grassland – an artefact of several decades of intensive livestock farming in the wider area. However, some 200 species can be seen within the reserve including a fair number of waterbirds on the dam itself. The Northern Black and Blue Korhaans are prevalent within the reserve and both the Ludwig’s and Kori Bustards are recorded regularly. A resident pair of Secretarybird are present and nest within the reserve. Karroid scrub supports the endearing Rufous-eared Warbler, Scaly-feathered Weaver, Karoo Scrub-robin, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Desert Cisticola, and Fairy Flycatcher. Riverine thickets should yield the Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler (Warbler), Grey Tit, Red-billed Firefinch, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Orange River White-eye, and Red-headed Finch. Large numbers of Lark-like Bunting and Grey-backed Sparrow-lark irrupt into the area after heavy rainfall, when grasses come to seed. Resident plains species include the Double-banded Courser, Spike-heeled and Thick-billed Larks, and Sickle-winged Chat.

Birds-of-prey abound. The large dolerite and sandstone cliffs supporting a breeding pair of Verreaux’s Eagle and, though these birds only nest every second year, they are often sighted soaring over the reserve. Martial Eagle is an occasional visitor and African Fish Eagle is resident on the dam. Smaller species include the Gabar Gosahwk, both Rock and Greater Kestrels, and the occasional Lanner Falcon.

Key species:

Martial and Verreaux’s Eagles, Double-banded Courser, Blue and Northern Black Korhaans, Kori and Ludwig’s Bustards.