Mount Currie Nature Reserve
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| Mount Currie Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 Interactive map of Mount Currie Nature Reserve | |
| Location | Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nearest city | Kokstad |
| Coordinates | 30°28′45″S 29°25′10″E / 30.47917°S 29.41944°E |
| Area | 1,777 ha (4,390 acres) |
| Established | 1980 |
| Governing body | Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife |
Mount Currie Nature Reserve is a 1,777-hectare (4,390-acre) nature reserve situated approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Kokstad in the East Griqualand region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the reserve preserves a rugged mountainous landscape, high-altitude wetlands, and significant historical sites related to the Griqua people.[1]
History
Mount Currie holds deep historical significance for the Griqua people, a community of mixed-race descent who migrated to the area under the leadership of Adam Kok III in the 1860s.
The Griqua Settlement
Before the town of Kokstad was established on its current site, the Griquas settled at the foot of Mount Currie (then known as "Mount Currie Laager").[1] The reserve contains several historical landmarks from this period:
- Adam Kok III's Grave: The burial site of the Griqua leader is located near the reserve entrance and is a declared National Heritage Site.[4]
- Historical Cemetery: A small cemetery containing the graves of early Griqua pioneers.
- Laager Site: The remains of the original stone fortifications used by the Griquas for protection during their early years in the region.[3]