Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale Coast
The Kogelberg Biosphere is considered to be the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom – one of just six plant kingdoms in the world. © Kogelberg Biosphere ReserveKogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale Coast
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is a beautiful reserve less than an hour away from Cape Town which makes it a convenient day visit for locals and visitors from around the country. Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is home to one fifth of all fynbos species. The reserve is very well known for its biodiversity. The reserve is situated near Kleinmond just outside Cape Town in South Africa. The reserve also offers spectacular ocean views as it is set on the eastern side False Bay in rugged mountainous terrain. That is not the only attraction of this area, the reserve also consists of pristine beaches, rocky shores, vineyards and much more animal and plant life. This is definitely a nature lover's paradise. Some of the 1880 plant species which are found in the reserve are some of which cannot be found anywhere else on earth.
For those who enjoy watersports and adventure, there is sandboarding, paragliding, river rafting, quad trails and much more to keep your adrenalin pumping. The beaches along the coastline are beautiful and offer lots of safe activities. There are also a number of hiking trails and seaside trails where you will get to enjoy. The Kogelberg coast is well known for whale watching and locals and visitors from around the world come to see this spectacular sight. The best time of the year for whale watching is between June to December.
You will find that the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve only one hours drive from Cape Town. To get there, take the N2 out of Cape Town. To visit the highlands areas and the Green Mountain Wine Route, pass through Somerset west and climb Sir Lowry's Pass to the forest and orchard areas. To explore the coastal route, after Somerset West look for the right turn to Gordon's Bay and one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world, Clarence Drive (R44).
The coastal area of the Koglberg Biosphere Reserve was only accessible on foot, donkey or by boat for many years and the first road was built by Italian prisoners of war during the second World War. This scenic road, which was named Clarence Drive in 1950, was rebuilt in the 1990s to provide parking areas from which to enjoy the magnificent sea views across False Bay and the spectacular views of whales during late winter.
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve encompasses the coastal area from Gordon's Bay in the west, to the Bot River Vlei in the east. At the core of this biosphere is the Kogelberg Nature Reserve that surrounds the Palmiet River.
The reserve is located in the southern part of the Hottentots-Holland mountain range Vegetation consists primarily of mountain fynbos with small patches of indigenous forest that contain some of the last remaining yellowwood, stinkwood, and boekenhout trees in the Overberg.
The Kogelberg Nature Reserve has several hiking trails, ranging from gentle 6 km (3 hr) Leopard's Gorge Day Hike to the challenging 37 km (2-day) Highlands Trail.
Kayaking is available on the along the Palmiet River. The Kogelberg Kayak Trails, open from June to September offers 2 trails. The first trail is 15 km and takes approximately 8 hours. The second trail is 4 km and should take about 2 hours to complete. The white waters of the Palmiet River can be quite challenging and should only be attempted by experienced kayakers.
Cyclists are welcome to test their endurance on the rugged Palmiet River Valley Mountain Bike Trail. The trail 23 km in length and is rated as moderately difficult.
Contact details for the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve:
Phone: +27 (0)82 380 9071
Email: see website
Website: https://kogelbergbiosphere.org.za
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, located in the Western Cape, is known for its rich biodiversity, particularly its unique fynbos vegetation. It is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve, offering hiking, birdwatching, and other eco-tourism activities.
Accommodation Near Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale Coast
Spatalla
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Kleinmond
4.9km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastSpatalla is situated in Kleinmond, a luxuriously furnished private self catering residence that offers the finest finishing touches including 4 spacious bedrooms with private balconies, all have en suite bathrooms... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Destiny 3510
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Betty's Bay
8.8km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastDestiny 3510 is a self catering holiday home designed for comfort and pleasure. Sleeps up to 12, 14 or 18 people. Situated at 3510 Disa Circle, Betty’s Bay, at the foot of a majestic mountain overlooking the lakes and sea. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Merlon
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Betty's Bay
10.2km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastMerlon provides self catering accommodation in Betty's Bay, Overberg/Whale Coast. Situated close to Stony Point, and within half a kilometre of Silversands Beach. Merlon offers self catering accommodation for 10 people, in 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Chalet 10 - Meerensee
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Fisherhaven
13.2km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastChalet 10, Meerensee is a self catering chalet in Fisherhaven, Hermanus area on the Overberg / Whale Coast. Our self catering holiday home is about an hour's drive away from Cape Town International Airport and 6km outside Hermanus on the R43. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Cheverells Farm Cottages
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Elgin Valley Area
13.6km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastCheverells Farm Cottages offers self catering accommodation in the heart of the Elgin Valley near Grabouw in the Overberg / Whale Coast region. Cheverells Farm Cottages are two self catering cottages set in the Orchards on a working apple and pear farm... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Lavender Cottages & Libertas House
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Elgin Valley Area
13.7km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastExperience self catering heaven in the heart of the Elgin Valley near Grabouw in the Overberg / Whale Coast region. We offer 3 cottages and a farmhouse, all on a self catering basis, set amongst orchards, offering spectacular views of the Elgin Valley... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Dreams
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Pringle Bay
14.6km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastDreams offers self catering accommodation in Pringle Bay, on the Overberg / Whale Coast. You won't be dreaming when you wake up a mere 100m - 3 minutes walk - to the white sand of Pringle Bay's idyllic beach. Relaxation, comfort, family time, nature... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Logan's Lodge
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Gordon's Bay
20km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastLogan's Lodge offers self catering apartment accommodation in Gordons Bay, Cape Town. This well equipped self catering apartment has its own private entrance and offers 2 private bedrooms - 1 with queen-size bed and the other has 2 single beds. There is …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Bikini Beach Manor
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Gordon's Bay
20.1km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastBikini Beach Manor provides luxury self catering accommodation in Gordons Bay, Cape Town. If you are looking for a relaxing retreat of good quality then look no further as you have arrived! Bikini Beach Manor is a 4-storey 1200m2 modern contemporary... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Bayview Gordons Bay
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Gordon's Bay
20.2km from Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Kleinmond, Whale CoastBayview offers superbly-furnished self catering accommodation in Gordons Bay, Cape Town. This crisp and contemporary, fully-equipped private home is located in the suburb known as Mountainside, overlooking Gordons Bay. Spread out over 3 floors, Bayview... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
- Kleinmond (4.38km)
- Betty's Bay (8.19km)
- Mereenbosch (13.42km)
- Pringle Bay (14.73km)
- Elgin Valley Area (15.06km)
- Arabella (15.37km)
- Fisherhaven (15.62km)
- Rooi-Els (16.24km)
- Hawston (16.58km)
- Dennekruin (17.09km)
- Pineview (17.57km)
- Steenbras (18.00km)
- Grabouw (18.05km)
- Steenbras Dam (18.21km)
- Swannie River (18.71km)
- Palmiet Lagoon & Beach - Kleinmond, Whale Coast (2.44km)
- Fynbos Festival and Green Living Expo (3.90km)
- Kleinmond Harbour - Kleinmond, Whale Coast (3.96km)
- Jock's Bay - nr Betty's Bay, Whale Coast (5.14km)
- The Disa River Waterfall - Betty's Bay, Whale Coast (5.51km)
- Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens - Betty's Bay, Overberg (5.57km)
- Kleinmond Golf Club - Kleinmond, Whale Coast (5.66km)
- Kleinmond Beach - Kleinmond, Whale Coast (6.11km)
- Gravity Adventure Festival - Kleinmond, Whale Coast (7.00km)
- Bettys Bay - Main Beach (7.77km)
- Stony Point Nature Reserve (Penguin Colony) - Betty's Bay, Whale Coast (9.47km)
- Rooisand Nature Reserve - Whale Coast, Western Cape (11.57km)
- Kogelberg Sonchem Link Nature Reserve - nr Pringle Bay, Whale Coast (12.58km)
- Botrivier Lagoon - nr Fisherhaven, Overberg (12.99km)
- Sea Farm Private Nature Reserve - nr Betty's Bay, Whale Coast (13.21km)
- Brodie Link Nature Reserve - Pringle Bay (13.22km)
- Pringle Bay Beach - Pringle Bay, Overberg, Whale Coast (15.13km)
- Arabella Golf Course - Kleinmond, Western Cape (15.66km)
- Hoek-van-die-berg Private Nature Reserve - Vermont, Whale Coast (17.62km)
- Elgin Railway Market - nr Grabouw, Overberg, Whale Coast (18.81km)
