From here, one can take a 17km drive suitable for sedans and mountain biking, or a 80km 4×4 route to better explore the area. Either one of the two will take you through scenic granitic outcrops and grassy plains and one might see Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Gemsbok, Steenbok, Springbok and occasionally Bat-eared Fox along the way. Key birds to look out for are Cinnamon-breasted Warbler on the rocky ridges, and Karoo Eremomela which prefer the flatter plains. Within the first 10km of the route, you’ll pass through two rocky areas and they’re worth scanning for Ground Woodpecker, Grey Tit, Mountain Wheatear and Layard’s Tit-babbler. The luckiest of birders might spot a roosting Cape Eagle-Owl, but these would be best located by driving the perimeter of the reserve after dark. The reserve is stocked with Common Ostrich and Ludwig’s Bustards also occur from time to time. The flat plains can be good for Karoo Lark, Large-billed Lark, Pririt Batis, Yellow Canary, Bokmakierie, Ant-eating Chat, Karoo Chat, Sickle-winged Chat and Tractrac Chat amongst many other species this brilliant reserve has to offer.

Springbok to Kamieskroon: Aardvark Kloof
If you have time in the area, “The Aardvark Kloof” loop not far out of Springbok also comes highly recommended. Make sure you have enough fuel, food and water, as you won’t find any along the route. To reach the area, head back to the entrance turnoff to Goegap Nature Reserve and continue on the R355 to Gamoep. At the town one can quickly take the turn off to the east towards Poffadder and Aggeneys, and continue up the road for around 7 km, where Red Lark can be found relatively easily. Return to Gamoep to do the loop, passing through the town for roughly 3km, you’ll find a turn to your right at -29.9312 18.422. This forms a 76 km road to Kamieskroon, where you can then turn right onto the N7 and return to Springbok to finish the loop road. All the specials in this area are found throughout the year, but again, spring is when the landscape is looking its best and many of the birds are breeding and vocal. Again, the rocky ridges are the place to search for the charming Cinnamon-breasted Warbler as well as Grey Tit, Mountain Wheatear, Layard’s Tit-Babbler, Pale-winged Starling, Dusky Sunbird, Fairy Flycatcher, Ground Woodpecker and White-throated Canary. Scan flocks of Black-headed Canary for the white headed subspecies, occasionally split off as a species of its own, Damara Canary. Any open plains can yield Karoo Lark, Large-billed Lark as well as Karoo Eremomela. For those willing to head out at night, driving around the outskirts of Springbok and the road between Kamieskroon and Leliesfontein can produce Cape Eagle-Owl and Freckled Nightjar. However, it’s not advised to drive on these gravel roads after dark, punctures are common and in some places cell phone reception is poor to non-existent.

Key species:

Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Karoo Eremomela, Pririt Batis, Ludwig’s Bustard, Cape Eagle Owl, Grey Tit, Dusky Sunbird, Red Lark, Karoo Long-billed Lark, Freckled Nightjar