Nqweba Dam in Camdeboo National Park, Eastern Cape

The Nqweba Dam is situated on the outskirts of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Formerly known as the Van Ryneveld’s Dam, the newly named Nqweba Dam covers approximately 1 000 hectares at its fullest and forms part of the Camdeboo National Park. Construction began in 1921 in 1921 and was completed in 1925 with a dam wall that stands 42 metres high and 350 metres wide.

The area is famed for its rich variety of birdlife and bird lovers can spend their time enjoying the large variety of water bird species found in the wetlands surrounding the Dam. North of the Dam visitors will find a game viewing spot where a range of animals can be seen such as Kudu, Springbok, Gemsbok, Eland, Wildebeest, Cape Mountain Zebra and Cape Buffalo.

Visitors to the breathtaking spot are also among anglers and water sports enthusiasts who come to enjoy canoeing, windsurfing and boating. The fishermen stand a chance of catching a variety of fish such as African Catfish, Mullet, Common Carp, Round Herring, River Gobby and Mosquito Fish.

The “Camdeboo Dam Day” is held at Nqweba Dam in March and it includes the “Anything That Floats” competition. Contestants create a home-made boat and race each other across the Nqweba Dam. Food stalls, live entertainment and arts & crafts makes it an event worth attending.

Things to do and see

• Game viewing spot
• Picnic Sites
• Water Sports
• Fishing

Admission

No admission fee is charged,

Open Daily, best during daylight hours.

Climate

Rainfall occurs mainly in the autumn months, with March seeing the highest levels. Winter nights can drop below freezing.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 11˚C and 30˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 2˚C and 16˚C.

Transport

There are flights into Port Elizabeth International Airport, from all major cities in South Africa, on a daily basis. Car hire facilities are available and the airport is approximately 264 km from Graaff-Reinet.