Gansbaai
not just a visit ... but an adventure
GANSBAAI TOURISM :: WESTERN CAPE :: SOUTH AFRICA
| HOME | GANSBAAI INFO | STAY |
DINING |
COUNTRY MEMBERS |
EXPERIENCES | DESTINATIONS | BUSINESSES | PHOTO GALLERY |
|
NATURE RESERVES IN GANSBAAI AREA
The main reason that the Danger Point Peninsula Area has become a premier nature destination is the fact that conservation of both the marine- and land-based nature has been embraced by all layers of society. Conservation in this area is not restricted to the several public nature reserves. Many private landowners have embarked on extensive alien-vegetation clearing operations as well as the restoration of indigenous vegetation and reforestation. By means of these programs, several red data species have been saved from immediate extinction. Thousands of hectares of private land have been brought into conservancies, the oldest and the largest whereof is the Walker Bay Conservancy from Stanford in the North to Grootbos and Flower Valley in the South. Farm 215 nature retreat & fynbos reserve Guides take you up to the mountains and into the mountain catchment of the "Koueberge" in this 800 ha reserve with pristine fynbos fields and never-ending views and into deep riverine kloofs with indigenous forest and waterfalls. Lunch can be arranged at the lodge of the retreat. On the road from Gansbaai to Baardskeerdersbos past Kraaiboschdam and the Lamond vineyards to your left. Adress: Hartebeeskloof & Koudeberg, Baardskeerdersbos, Gansbaai Tel +27 28 388 0920 Email: book@farm215.co.za Flower Valley A nature reserve and fynbos estate. Flower Valley was established as a Unesco Project. The thousands of hectares of this reserve are both safeguarding the local Cape Floral Kingdom and provide a source of income for the local community. Indigenous flowers are harvested in the wild for the cut-flower trade. Flower Valley is a pilot project of the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative for the sustainable harvest of fynbos-flowers. Tel.: 028 - 388 0713 Grootbos Nature Reserve Nestling in the fynbos clad hills above Walker Bay with breathtaking views of dunes, sea and the distant Cape of Good Hope. Experience some of the world's richest flora, the mystical Milkwood forest, the fascinating fauna and marine life that enthrals. Enjoy the many trails with specialist guides that will convey to you the wonders of our unique flora and fauna along walking trails, on horse back or mountain bike, or in a 4x4 vehicle. Adress: R43 between Gansbaai & Stanford, Gansbaai Tel +27 28 384 8000 Email: info@grootbos.com Salmonsdam Salmonsdam Nature Reserve ( 834 ha )lies 20 km east of Stanford, at the foot of the Perdeberg mountains. Salmonsdam's mountainous landscape is renown for its bird life, mountain fynbos and beautiful waterfalls, and attracts bird-watchers, hikers and other nature enthusiasts. According to local tradition the area was named after Captain Robert Salmon of the ill-fated HMS Birkenhead, which sank at Danger Point. The vegetation in the area is predominantly mountain fynbos, with species such as ground proteas, disas, everlastings and waboom. Forest patches occur in many of the kloofs, with tall Cape beech and spoonwood trees. In the low-lying vlei area one finds fountain bush, reeds, water heath and various geophytes. The reserve hosts various antelope, including bontebok, klipspringer, grey duiker and grey rhebuck, as well as baboons and numerous small mammals. More than 120 bird species have been recorded, notably various sunbirds and kingfishers, Cape rockjumper and black eagle (a bird list is available on request). Sandberg Fynbos Reserve Accredited fieldguide Gerard van Deventer takes you on a tour on this 900 ha fynbos reserve in the plains just before the moravian mission village of Elim and in the Geelkop Nature Reserve near Elim, home to a very special and localised fynbos habitat: "Elim Fynbos". Tel: 028 482 1616 Email: proteapermaculture@webmail.co.za Walkerbay Nature Reserve lies on the south-western Cape coast, bordering the village of De Kelders near Gansbaai. It stretches all the way to the Klein River estuary near Hermanus, covering about 1 000 ha with a spectacular 17km coastline. The reserve has a beautiful long beach, known as Die Plaat, with white sands and rocky limestone outcrops. The Walker bay Nature Reserve is ideal for day hikes along the coast, angling, swimming and picnicking. Between De Kelders and the Walker Bay Nature Reserve is Klipgat Cave. The cave has dramatic views of Walker Bay and can be reached by a sequence of steps down from the parking area to the little cove in front of the cave. On the beach of the cove is a fresh water fountain. Some of the earliest remains of modern man, dating between 70'000 and 90'000 years back, have been found in the cave. More recently, some 2000 years ago, ancestors of the Khoenhoen had their home here as well. Proof that Khoenkhoen farmed sheep in the Western Cape (about 2000 years ago) has been found in the Klipgat Cave. Cape Nature has developed plans to protect the cave and make it suitable for a growing number of visitors. A board walk will connect the cove and the cave and an interpretation centre will be erected. The spectacular Klipgat Trail (7kms) meanders along the coast from Gansbaai harbour, past De Kelders and ends at the Klipgat Cave. Lowland coastal fynbos, also known as strandveld, is the main type of vegetation in this area, and is characterised by species such as bietou, blombos, sour fig and waxberry. Parts of the dunefields were stabilised from the early 1900s until the 1980s, using alien Rooikrans and Port Jackson. These species are invasive and, together with uncontrolled coastal development, pose a threat to the indigenous strandveld. Dense thickets of old milkwoods occur along the banks of the Klein River lagoon and at Stanford's Cove. Most of the mammals occurring in the reserve are shy, but the tracks of Cape clawless otter, bushbuck, duiker, grysbok and steenbok are occasionally observed. Off-shore, Southern Right Whales occur from about August to November, while Bryde's and humpback whales and various dolphin species occur throughout the year. Marine fish include the sought-after galjoen, kabeljou and steenbras, which may be caught at Galjoenbank, Sopiesklip, Skeurbank and other fishing sites. The reserve has numerous species of seabirds, including the striking African black oystercatcher. This species is threatened by coastal recreational activities because it breeds on beaches in the summer. |
||
