Eco Area
Exclusive Private Game Reserve and Eco Trails
The Hills Estate has exclusive access to a private game reserve, gracefully situated within the heart of the estate. This vibrant eco-sanctuary is a haven for a diverse array of wildlife, including antelope, zebra, colourful birds, reptiles, and lush plant life.
Residents are welcome to explore the expansive 16km walking trails that wind through the game reserve, offering a serene journey through picturesque landscapes and encounters with captivating animals.
Wildlife
Zebra
(Equus quagga)
Zebras are fascinating creatures known for their striking black and white striped coats which are unique to each individual.
Colour: Black and White
Diet: Zebras are herbivores, primarily feeding on grass, leaves, and stems.
Blesbok
(Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi)
Blesbok, also known as blesbuck, are medium-sized antelopes native to South Africa.
Colour: Blesbok are known for their striking reddish-brown coat with a distinctive white mark on their face.
Diet: Blesbok are herbivores, feeding on grass, leaves, and other vegetation
Red Hartebeest
(Alcelaphus buselaphus caama)
The red hartebeest, also called the Cape hartebeest or Caama, is a subspecies of the hartebeest found in Southern Africa
Colour: They have reddish brown colouring along its back, a black colour on its face, chin, back of neck, shoulders, thighs and tail, and the lower part of its rump is off-white
Diet: Red hartebeest are herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses, leaves, and other vegetation.
Blue Wildebeest
(Connochaetes taurinus)
Blue wildebeest, also known as a brindled gnu, are large, migratory antelopes native to the plains of southern and eastern Africa.
Colour: The adults' hues range from a deep slate or bluish-grey to light grey or even greyish-brown.
Diet: Blue wildebeest are primarily grazers, feeding on grasses and occasionally browsing on leaves and shrubs.
Kudu
(Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
The greater kudu is a large woodland antelope, found throughout eastern and southern Africa.
Colour: Their body colour varies from reddish-brown to blue grey, with distinctive white stripes (between 6 and 10) along their back.
Diet: These browsers typically feed on leaves, shoots, fruits, and even some grass depending on the availability of food in their environment.
Nyala
(Tragelaphus angasi)
Nyala are beautiful antelopes native to southern Africa, prized for their striking appearance and unique behaviour.
Colour: Males have a shaggy dark brown to charcoal grey coat, often with a bluish tinge, while the females is short haired with a rufous chestnut coat. Both have distinct white stripes along their coats.
Diet: These herbivores are browsers, feeding on a variety of leaves, fruits, and twigs.
Springbok
(Antidorcas marsupialis)
Springbok are agile and graceful antelopes known for their distinctive pronking behaviour.
Colour: Springbok have a light reddish-brown coat with a white belly, a dark stripe running along each side. They also have a white face with dark markings.
Diet: These antelopes are predominantly grazers, feeding on a diet of grasses, leaves, and shrubs.
Impala
(Aepyceros melampus)
Impalas are graceful and adaptable antelopes found in eastern and southern Africa.
Colour: Impalas have a reddish-brown coat with lighter underparts.
Diet: These herbivores are selective browsers, feeding on a wide range of plants, grasses, leaves, fruits, and flowers.
Waterbuck
(Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
Waterbuck are large antelopes known for their shaggy coats and distinctive markings.
Colour: Waterbuck have shaggy, reddish-brown coats with a white patch on the throat and a distinct circular white mark on the rump.
Diet: These antelopes are primarily grazers, feeding on grasses, plants, and shrubs.
Serval Cat
(Leptailurus serval)
Serval Cats are unique in appearance and are incredible hunters with the ability to leap great heights.
Colour: Servals typically have a tawny coat with black spots and stripes
Diet: Serval cats are carnivorous and primarily feed on small mammals like rodents, birds, and insects.
Slender mongoose
(Mungos mungo)
Slender mongooses are fascinating small carnivores native to sub-Saharan Africa
Colour: They are typically a light grey-brown colour with darker stripes along their bodies and tails.
Diet: Slender mongooses are opportunistic feeders, preying on a wide range of small animals such as insects, rodents, birds, eggs, reptiles, and sometimes fruits.
Black-headed Heron
(Ardea melanocephala)
Black-headed herons are striking wading birds found in various wetland habitats across Africa.
Appearance: Black-headed herons are medium to large-sized birds with predominantly grey plumage, long legs, and a distinctive black head and neck.
Diet: Black-headed herons are carnivorous and primarily feed on a varied diet of fish, frogs, small mammals, insects, crustaceans, and occasionally small birds.
Porcupine
(Hystrix africaeaustralis)
Porcupines are fascinating creatures known for their unique appearance and defense mechanisms. When threatened. porcupines will often raise their quills, creating a spiky barrier that deters predators. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot shoot their quills but can detach them upon contact.
Appearance: Porcupines are characterized by their sharp spines or quills, which cover their bodies as a form of protection.
Diet: Porcupines are herbivores, feeding primarily on leaves, bark, twigs, and plants.