Thomas Baines Nature Reserve
Thomas Baines Nature Reserve is situated approximately 12km from Grahamstown off the N2 highway to Port Elizabeth. Thomas Baines Nature Reserve has been somewhat of an institution amongst Grahamstown residents since the 1960’s albeit that, at the time, it consisted of a mere 257ha of municipal land. In 1980 it was increased to 1024ha. Thomas Baines is named after the well known artist, naturalist and explorer who spent much of his time in the area. The Thomas Baines Goldfields Environmental Education centre caters for up to 60 learners at a time.
Applicable April 2025 to March 2026
Boys/Girls Dormitories (30 persons maximum per dormitory): R67/student/night, R99/adult/night (off peak)
R76/student/night, R105/adult/night (peak)
Teachers Rooms: R159/night (off peak), R177/night (peak)
Dungbeetle Cottage: 1-2 person R768/night, R214 /additional person/night (off peak)
R246/additional person/night (peak)
Campsite: R401site/night (off peak), R434/site/night (peak)
Conservation Fee - Applicable to both Day and Overnight visitors, payable on arrival at the reserve in cash:
R17/adult/day
R12/child/day
hiking trail adult R 36/ child R18
interpretation trail R36 per person
team building R163 per person
facilitator 1-2h R325
Reserve is accessible with 2x4 or 4x4 vehicle
Directions from Grahamstown to Thomas Baines (approx 15.7km,16min):
Take Grey St to N2 (1.9km)
1. Head northeast on High St toward Cuyler St (19m)
2. Make a U-turn at Cuyler St (450m)
3. Turn left onto Somerset St (400m)
4. Turn right onto Grey St (1.1km)
5. Turn right onto N2 (10.8km)
6. Turn left onto R343 (1.8km)
7. Turn left (130m)
8. Sharp left (1km)
9. Destination on right
Please consult your navigation system and reserve directly as these are only approximations and does not contain any important information such as road blocks etc.