Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve is a special place. It is situated within South Africa’s upland succulent karoo – widely recognised as one of the world's 25 most important conservation hotspots for biodiversity. It is a huge place: over 30,000 acres or 125 sq km in size, 17 miles in length. The sense of wilderness is authentic and truly awesome.

Three different habitat types are found within Komsberg: numerous mountains and mountainsides, extensive mountain plateaux with superb grazing for wildlife, and a lower valley area 2,400ft below with thousands of acacias trees. Several dramatic overlook points provide excellent views of this spectacular scenery.

Our animals and plants are unusual and brilliantly adapted to the semi-arid conditions. Indeed, a high percent of Komsberg's species are unique to the region.

You would expect to find springbok in the karoo, of course, and we have lots of them. Kudu, gemsbok, and red hartebeest are our larger antelope species. We also have blue wildebeest and black wildebeest; the latter species almost went extinct in the late 19th century. We have also re-introduced Burchell's zebra to Komsberg, absent since 1811. Klipspringer, steenbok, and duiker (the smaller antelope species) are no less interesting; our numerous mountainsides support a healthy population of klipspringers. Grey rhebok are a medium-sized antelope unique to South Africa’s mountains and Komsberg is thought to have the best population of these fascinating animals.

Meerkats are common at Komsberg, especially on the plateau. It is easiest to see them early morning or just before sunset as they warm themselves with sunshine just outside of their burrows. Porcupines, aardvark, aardwolf, honey badgers (officially the world's most ferocious animal), African wild cats, and bat-eared foxes are some of our other unusual smaller mammals.

Baboons are the most successful of all the African monkeys. These intelligent primates are commonly found in troops of 70 individuals or more. Caracal are one of the world’s most beautiful cats and these predators have recovered well at Komsberg; they kill species as large as grey rhebok. Black-backed jackal have also increased in numbers after years of persecution by sheep farmers.

We are proud to have five eagle species at Komsberg, including the martial eagle and black eagle – Africa's two biggest eagles – which are commonly seen. Komsberg is an excellent place to see many birds of prey. Flamingos and the malachite sunbird are two of our more exotic birds. For the bird enthusiast, South Africa has more endemic species than any other country in Africa and these are heavily concentrated in the karoo region. Our numerous dams and waterholes are a magnet for waterfowl and other birds.

Komsberg is also rich in reptiles, including several tortoise species. Colourful lizards are everywhere. Geckoes are active at night and are common at our homestead.

Many of our flowers are unique to our area and highly colourful. We have an important population of the endangered star tree that is a member of the rose family. And we are doing pioneering work to save an almost extinct species of grass!

You can look forward to mostly sunny weather during your time at Komsberg. Whereas our mountains can be extremely cold during the South African winter (May to August) when we usually have five days or so of snow, temperatures are pleasantly warm to hot between November and March. At 5000ft (1700m) above sea level, the unpolluted air is genuinely refreshing.

To summarise: Komsberg offers an authentic wilderness experience. The reserve is huge. There is a lot to see which is interesting and unusual. And there's plenty of sunshine and fresh air.