Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Nature reserve near Stellenbosch, South Africa

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve covers about 11,000 hectares north of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains, roughly 10 km south-east of Stellenbosch. It contains the Jonkershoek Mountains, part of the upper Jonkershoek valley, and the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve. The Eerste River rises in these mountains and runs through the valley toward False Bay; the Berg River also has its source here.

The name Jonkershoek comes from Jan Andriessen, a 17th-century bachelor midshipman known as Jan de Jonkheer, who received one of the freeholds Simon van der Stel issued in the valley and named his grant Vallei Jonkershoek. Assegaaibosch began as a farmstead in 1790; in 1817 Lord Charles Somerset granted the land to Wouter Eduard Wium on condition he plant oaks. The Cape Provincial Administration bought Assegaaibosch in 1960 and renovated its house, now a national monument used as a guest house.

The name Jonkershoek comes from Jan Andriessen, a 17th-century midshipman known as Jan de Jonkheer, who named his land grant Vallei Jonkershoek. The reserve holds several Kramats, including that of Sheikh Sayed Ahmad Singosari Al-Shattari (R.A). The Assegaaibosch farmstead, started in 1790, is now a national monument used as a guest house.

Access is through marked entrances, and trails range from easy walks to more strenuous hikes depending on your fitness. Bring plenty of water and sun protection, and arrive early to secure parking and plan your route.

Several major rivers originate from the mountains within this area and supply water to the surrounding wine-growing regions. These water sources are essential to the local agriculture and economy in the surrounding valleys.