Loskop Dam
About Loskop Dam
Loskop Dam, situated on the Olifants River in Mpumalanga, is a major major water reservoir and a prominent destination for agriculture, conservation, and outdoor recreation. Positioned approximately 48 kilometers north of Middelburg and 32 kilometers south of Groblersdal, the dam walls form an expansive body of water that measures roughly 30 kilometers in length, making it a critical source for the massive local Loskop Irrigation Scheme that supports regional Bushveld farming.
The entire body of water is surrounded by the 23,000-hectare Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, a protected area characterized by mountainous African bushveld terrain that provides habitat for diverse wildlife, including white rhinoceroses, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes, zebras, hippopotamuses, and Nile crocodiles. Tourism and lodging in the immediate area are anchored by Loskopdam, A Forever Resort, which features structured amenities such as log cabins, self-catering chalets, and extensive caravan and camping sites alongside swimming facilities and basic commercial services.
Due to the presence of crocodiles and hippopotamuses, open-water swimming is strictly prohibited; however, the dam serves as a well-documented hub for regulated water activities, including powerboating, guided boat safaris, and recreational angling targeting fish species such as carp, Mozambique tilapia, and yellowfish.