Lighthouse Tours.
Explore our endless activities.
Gourikwa Reserve offers unmatched facilities to accommodate groups or individuals for an activity-filled stay. We have a variety of activities within the reserve, and what better place to be active or learn than from our greatest teacher: Mother Nature.
List of Activities
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Outdoor Activities
Hiking, Trail Running, Mountain Biking, Birdwatching, Fishing, Snorkeling, Outdoor Chess, Mini Golf, Lookout deck -ideal for sundowners.
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Indoor Activities
(Kids) Games Room: Pool, Darts, Fingerboard, Table Tennis.
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Lighthouse Visits
Book a guided visit of our picturesque lighthouse and get a birds-eye view of the ocean. Booking is essential.
A brief history of the Yestervarkpunt lighthouse.
In 1932, the coastline close to Gourikwa was placed on the map, when the SS Haliartus ran aground on the rocks at Yztervarkfontein. Cyanide for mining purposes was part of the very rich cargo. The leaked cyanide created havoc along the coast, killing fish, dolphins and all other sea life in the vicinity. A full report of the wreck can be found in the book Shipwrecks and Salvage in South Africa by Malcolm Turner.
In 1964 a lighthouse was established on the rocky outcrop on the southwestern border of the reserve, called Ystervarkpunt. The steel structure was replaced by a concrete one in 2006. It stands 51m tall and is one of the youngest lighthouses in the country with the official GPS coordinates: 34 23’ 26” S / 21 43’ 05” E.
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Pensioners lunches: First Wednesday of every month with restaurant specials for all pensioners.
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Day visitors welcome
Conservation guided walks
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Gourikwa offers guided walks through the reserve with a focus on the mammals, birds, and unique plant life. We have an array of hiking trails that have access to the entire reserve. The guided walk are intended to immerse guest in nature and make them aware of all the interesting and important aspects of our unique environment.
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Outdoor Education
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Sparking a strong environmental custodianship ethic within our youth is a vital part of securing biodiversity for future generations. Gourikwa’s outdoor education programme, targeting mainly primary school learners, aims at doing just that, and more. Our programme focusses on the unique dynamic of our flora and fauna and aims at increasing awareness amongst the children. Our programme also aims to develop leadership skills, problem solving, and creativity within them, not to mention lots of fun.