The Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve, in the Eastern Cape lies situated between Fort Beaufort and Adelaide, on the Amatola escarpment, and provides visitors to the area with magnificent views of the Hogsback and Katberg Mountains. The region which surrounds the Fordyce Nature Reserve has a rich and interesting cultural and historical significance, as the first inhabitants of the area were the San people, or Bushmen The San left a large number of rock art in the area, the finest examples of which can be seen at the nearby Mpofu Nature Reserve.

The Fordyce Nature Reserve covers an area of two thousand one hundred and forty six hectares, and consists mainly of escarpment grasslands, indigenous forests, valleys, and rocky cliffs. A variety of wildlife is housed within the Fordyce Nature Reserve and includes such species as black wildebeest, red hartebeest, bushbuck, Burchell’s zebra, mountain reedbuck, blue duiker, baboon and tree dassie. The reserve serves as an excellent birding destination, and is home to a large variety of bird species which include the threatened Cape parrot, eagles, Knysna loeries, sunbirds, flycatchers, hornbills and barbets. The forests host amongst the most diverse and richest species in southern Africa

Fort Fordyce is also an ideal place for horse riding enthusiasts, and allows visitors the opportunity for nature and game viewing on horseback. Visitors are also able to recieve some informal training on the various aspects of horse riding and horse handling, making the experience all the more memorable. Another popular and ideally suited activity in the Fordyce nature reserve is hiking, and good bases within the reserve from which to start hiking include Harris Hut, in a forest setting, and Phakamisa with its fantastic hilltop setting.

Bass fishing is another of the many activities at Fort Fordyce. Visitors can either camp in the tent supplied, or bring and pitch their own between the massive shady trees next to the bass dam. Also a popular climbing destination, Fort Fordyce features ten bolted routes with names like the Fever Ward, the Labour Ward, the More Mojo Sector and the Wall of Memories. It's a good place to climb on winter mornings and summer afternoons as it's sheltered from the cold westerly winds, and gets only morning sun.

For more information about the Fordyce Nature Reserve contact the eastern Cape Parks Board Head Office at (043) 742 4450, or email: reservations@ecparksboard.co.za