Renosterveld Reserve Research & Visitors Centre   >   The Shed

THE SHED

 

Learn, study or explore new life opportunities in the wonderful calm and serenity of the Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve, in The Shed.

This is the ideal space to bring groups together to learn on a reserve immersed in nature and far from the distractions of everyday life. The learning centre is a large venue equipped to support groups of up to 24 people in a peaceful environment.

 

IN NATURE

Think school children learning about nature, tourism guides studying the area, writers seeking the solace to write in a creative environment, artists exploring their talents, or yoga classes presented in nature’s tranquility.

Then stay over in either our Old Dairy Self-Catering Accommodation – which accommodates six adults (two doubles and one twin), or make use of our Research Centre Self-Catering Accommodation – which sleeps 12 people (Bedroom 1: two single beds. Bedrooms 2 & 3: six beds each in the form of three sets of bunk beds in each room). Or you could use all the accommodation together for larger groups. This offers you the opportunity to, if necessary, separate ‘teachers and leaders’ from ‘learners and students’.

THE SHED LEARNING CENTRE AMENITIES

 

 – Kitchen area to cook and serve meals

– Large learning space to enjoy creative work sessions

– Two outdoor showers/toilets behind The Shed

 

Other amenities on Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve:

 

RESEARCH CENTRE

Sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facilities in the Research Centre. MORE

 

COOL DOWN

Small plunge pool beside the Research Centre. MORE

 

OLD DAIRY

Sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facilities in the Old Dairy Self-Catering Accommodation. MORE

 

BRAAI

Braai facilities outside the Research Centre and the Old Dairy accommodation. MORE

The Shed, Research Centre and Old Dairy are all on the same yard on Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve, within a few metres of each other. That makes it easy and convenient to access all the amenities you might need during your stay.

AND WHAT ABOUT THE RENOSTERVELD?

School children and nature groups can also easily walk from The Shed, the Research Centre and the Old Dairy accommodation into our Renosterveld reserve. Only 100m from the venue, you’ll discover the largest connected stretch of Renosterveld left on Earth.

Enjoy the short hiking route with interpretative signage pointing out the special species on the route. And take a moment to look out from our Mural of Memories onto the Renosterveld hills and valleys below.

 

THE HISTORY

Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve had served as a working farm before it was bought by WWF South Africa in 2013, and handed over to the ORCT to manage. The Shed Learning Centre had been just that – an old shed used to store farm equipment in past decades.

In 2019 the ORCT launched a crowdfunding appeal to transform the shed into a learning space. Wonderful donations were received from so many partners – old and new – and in 2021 building started to renovate the shed, and to build a small home for a live-in intern.

By 2022 renovations to The Shed were completed, and the ORCT is now ready to welcome teachers, students and scholars to make the most of this joyful, invigorating, yet restful environment.