定居者公园自然保护区(Settlers Park Nature Reserve)位于伊丽莎白港(Gqeberha)市中心,占地面积约54公顷,是巴肯斯河(Baakens River)河谷地带最重要的生态廊道。这里长期免费向公众开放,不仅是当地居民日常徒步的绿肺,也是观赏开普花卉区(Cape Floral Kingdom)特有植物的天然博物馆。对于时间有限但想快速领略南非原生态植被的游客,这个位于豪大道(How Avenue)附近的保护区是极佳的落脚点。
保护区主要沿巴肯斯河谷分布,地势从平缓的河滩延伸至陡峭的石灰岩绝壁。这种垂直的高度差形成了多样的微气候,支撑起灌木丛、草地和湿地等多种生态系统。走到谷底能感受到明显的湿润凉意,而爬上山脊则能远眺城市天际线。这里的植被保留了南非东开普省原始的风貌,和周围现代化的城市建筑形成了强烈对比。
这个保护区的命名是为了纪念1820年抵达阿尔戈亚湾(Algoa Bay)的英国定居者。1958年,当地为了庆祝定居者抵南非138周年,正式将其辟为自然保护区。园内设有一座刻有相关历史背景的纪念碑,将自然景观与伊丽莎白港的殖民开发史交织在一起。如果你对植物学感兴趣,园内的野花展示区(Wild Flower Garden)集中展示了南非特有的帝王花(Proteas)和针垫花(Leucospermums)。
保护区内最出名的徒步线路是珍珠鸡路径(Guinea Fowl Trail),全长约7.5公里,贯穿整个保护区并一直延伸至郊外。走完全程通常需要3小时左右,但游客可以根据体力选择其中一小段折返。路面以碎石和泥土路为主,下雨后局部路段会比较湿滑。清晨是体验这条线路的最佳时间,空气中弥漫着芬草的味道,运气好的话能直接在小径旁看到觅食的珍珠鸡。
这里记录在册的鸟类超过100种,包括色彩艳丽的翠鸟和各种太阳鸟。除了飞鸟,灌木丛中还栖息着格里斯羚(Grysbok)等小型哺乳动物,它们生性胆小,通常在晨昏时分出没。观察这些动物需要保持安静,切记不要投喂任何野生生物。在河谷深处的湿地区域,偶尔还能发现巨蜥(Water Monitor)在岩石上晒太阳。
导航时建议定位在豪大道(How Avenue)的主入口,那里设有专门的停车区,离野花展示区最近。另外两个入口分别位于公园大道(Park Drive)和目标街(Target Kloof),但这两个入口的停车位较少且相对隐蔽。进入保护区不需要支付门票,也没有繁琐的登记流程,直接步行进入即可。
虽然保护区就在市区,但考虑到地处偏僻河谷,务必避免独自前往,建议至少3人结伴同行。尽量选择周末或当地公共假期游览,那时锻炼的本地人较多,安全性更高。衣着方面建议穿长裤和防滑运动鞋,因为河谷地带有较多刺的灌木,且夏季容易出现蜱虫。随身带上一瓶水,园内并没有提供饮用水的自动售货机或商店。
定居者公园自然保护区目前完全免费开放,不需要购买门票或支付停车费。这种公益性性质使其成为伊丽莎白港性价比极高的户外去处,全天24小时理论上都可进入,但为了安全建议在早上8点至下午4点间游览。
单纯在野花展示区和纪念碑附近散步只需45分钟左右。如果计划体验珍珠鸡徒步路径(Guinea Fowl Trail)的核心段或进行深度观鸟,建议预留2.5到3小时。由于园内地形起伏,体力消耗比一般的城市公园要大。
园内部分区域允许牵绳遛狗,但由于这里是自然保护区,严禁任何形式的明火烧烤或野炊。为了保护超过100种野生鸟类的栖息环境,游客产生的垃圾必须随身带走,园内的垃圾桶数量有限。
保护区距离伊丽莎白港机场(PLZ)非常近,开车仅需约10分钟。这让它成为很多游客在离开南非前最后一个打卡点,或者是刚抵达时消磨零散时间的理想去处。如果你是租车自驾,从机场直接导航到How Avenue入口非常顺路。
Olwam Mnqwazi Not properly maintained. Go in groups of three or more. I was uneasy the whole time but I had a person who knows the park with.
Jean Ruschenbaum The last time my family and I visited this park was in December 2022 for a picnic. We walked through the park still enjoying the beauty of nature but were thoroughly saddened by the complete lack of maintenance. Alien trees have been removed but nothing had been planted to replace them. There used to be a nursery that provided plants for the reserve. That clearly no longer is happening. We found the exhibit building in the main entrance area which used to display specimens of flora from the park has becone a drug den with used needles scattered on the floor. After our walk we decided to picnic near the parking lot. Let's just say that strange things were happening as vehicles came and went. Not to mention the shenanigans behind the 'drug den building'. The security was questionable and didn't make the park safer. In fact I think that they were party to the goings on there. We decided never to return and waved a sad goodbye to a place that we had spent most of our lives visiting. Our Municipality should be ashamed of themselves for neglecting this beautiful asset and treasure to our city.
Rochelle Shepherd This trail walk 🚶♀️ would be awesome and certainly appreciated more if the city dedicated themselves to preserving nature's environment. Vagrants use the reserve for "camping," and the river for "bathroom needs," and this is a huge disappointment 😞 the park needs some TLC with regard to how it is being maintained. No ablution facilities anymore 😢 Walking in a large group is definitely recommended for safety reasons as this is a "free-for-all" reserve!
Nikki De Zeeuw Really beautiful. Valley of desolation is breath taking. Loads of animals to see.
Norman John Visser Super outdoor spot for anyone who enjoys walking, running, biking. The trails are clear but do go in groups, try not to venture out alone. Lots of birdlife and lush green vegetation. Park needs a whole lot of work to get back to its former glory, but still a very nice place to visit.