Rocky Drift Private Nature Reserve

Rocky Drift Private Nature Reserve is situated 290 km from Johannesburg on the Waterval Boven - Nelspruit Road. It encompasses an enclosed valley of approximately 257 hectares of mountainous terrain considered among the most beautiful in the Waterval Boven district. The climate is characterized by a summer rainfall pattern, with winter and summer mean temperatures ranging from 6u00b0C in winter to 34u00b0C in summer.

The reserve is nourished by the Joubert Spruit tributary of the Elands River, which is fed by mountain springs, providing a high-quality natural water supply that has never dried up over the past 60 years. The ecologically contained nature reserve is home to various fauna species, including bushbuck, baboons, klipspringers, duikers, steenboks, vaal reedbucks, vervet monkeys, leopards, genets, rooikats, and rock pythons. The bird life encompasses species such as the black eagle, steppe buzzard, various kites, and falcons.

Steeped in natural and South African history, the kloof (gorge) and slopes of the valley once housed President Paul Kruger's Commandos during the period of his escape to exile via Lourenco Marques (Maputo). Circular rock encampments, along with old Martini Henry rifle shells and enamel mugs used by the Boer soldiers and scouts, are sometimes unearthed on the property.