Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve and Resort – 25km from Harrismith. Tel: 058 622 3520. Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, located in the Free State province and boarders KwaZulu-Natal. The Sterkfontein dam falls in the Eagle route following the Free State’s southern border with Lesotho, the Eagle route runs from Ficksburg to Harrismith through some of the most picturesque landscape in the country.
The Sterkfontein Dam is part of the Tugela-Vaal Water Project. The dam is located on the Nuwejaarspruit, a tributary of the Wilge River in the upper catchment area of the Vaal River. The Sterkfontein Dam is a highly effective reservoir due to its depth which enables the storage of a large amount of water and little loss to evaporation. At full supply, it has a surface area of no more than 70 km2 and has a full storage capacity of 2 656 million m3.
Situated on the R74 on the Oliviershoek Pass from KZN and Harrismith. From Bloemfontein and Gauteng (via N1) it can be via the N5 or the N3. It is the third largest dam in South Africa providing a perfect playground for sailing and other watersports. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rugged mountains, lush ravines and rolling grasslands. In this beautiful setting is the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve covering 18 000 hectares. Perfect for long walks, hiking (there is a two-day hiking trail) and biking, it also offers excellent game viewing and bird watching. You can tick off oribi, reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, grey rhebuck, the bald ibis, the blue and whitebellied korhaan, the buffstreaked chat, the ground woodpecker and the sentinel. Gaze up to the sky and you could spot bearded and Cape vultures, as well as Verreaux’s (black) and martial eagles, soaring. Secretary birds can also be spotted in treetops or stalking in the grasslands. Has brilliant birds‘ species and windsurfing.
Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve Accommodation
The Wild Horses Guest Lodge
The Wild Horses Guest Lodge
City dwellers in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Durban have, at their doorstep, a gem of a hideaway mountain retreat. Occupying pride of place within the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve, Wild Horses Lodge is a Sandstone villa facing the breathtaking expanse of the Sterkfontein Dam and the Platberg Mountains.
Wild Horses Lodge
Sterkfontein Dam
Harrismith
South Africa
Telephone: +27 (0)58 622 7000
E-mail:info@wildhorses.co.za
Qwantani Berg and Bush Resort
Qwantani Berg and Bush Resort
Situated on the banks of the Sterkfontein Dam, 43km from Harrismith, Qwantani Berg and Bush Resort has 53 luxury self-catering chalets. Onsite conferencing and wedding facilities are available and many clients return time and time again to make use of this superb venue. The Marshall Eagle Restaurant provides home-style meals, banqueting, sumptuous buffets and regular specials. There is a daily entertainment programme to amuse the whole family as well as fishing, horse riding, barge cruises, adventure golf and a swimming pool. Qwantani is perfect for those looking to relax amidst breathtaking scenery, isolated from the hustle and bustle of suburbia.
Sterkfontein Dam
| No of dam | C801/10 |
| WARMS Dam ID | 5929 |
| Name of the dam | STERKFONTEIN |
| Water management area | 5 |
| Quaternary Drainage Area | C81E |
| Latitude deg | 28 |
| Lat min | 23 |
| Lat sec | 15 |
| Longitude deg | 29 |
| Long min | 1 |
| Long sec | 1 |
| Town nearest | HARRISMITH |
| Distance from Town | 15.5 |
| Name of farm | STERKFONTEIN A1671 |
| District | HARRISMITH |
| Province | FREE STATE |
| DWS Provincial Office / Region | GAUTENG |
| Completion date | 1980 |
| Completion date raised | 1986 |
| River or Watercourse | NUWEJAARSPRUIT |
| Wall type | EARTHFILL |
| Wall height | 97 |
| Crest Length (m) | 3060 |
| Spillway Type | NONE |
| Capacity (1000 cub m) | 2616000 |
| Surface area (ha) | 6937 |
| Catchment area (sq km)) | 195 |
| Purpose | DOMESTIC USE & INDUSTRIAL |
| Owner Name | DEPT. OF WATER & SANITATION |
| Designer | STATE – DWAF |
| Contractor | DWAF |
| Registration date | 1987/01/06 |
| Size | Large |
| Hazard Potential | High |
| Category | 3 |
| Classification date | 1988/01/11 |
| Sector | W |
| Date Last DSE | 2009/01/28 |
| Number Last DSE | 3 |
| Target date next DSE | 2017/03/31 |
Visit the registered dams page for more information on other dams in South Africa.
or visit the Free state tourism page.