Fernkloof Nature Reserve

Comprising an area of just 15 square kilometres, Fernkloof Nature Reserve nevertheless boasts over 1600 different plant species (the UK in its entirety has 1500!). 

It lies in the Kleinrivier Mountains above Hermanus and is a very important part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the six recognized Floral Kingdoms of the world. There is no other place on earth where so many different species can be seen growing in such close proximity. The herbarium has been accorded international status, and there is a Botanical Centre comprising a curator's office, exhibition hall, herbarium, kitchen and a visitors' cottage.

There is over 50km of hiking trails and a mountain bike trail. The paths are well maintained and cater to people of all fitness levels. The paths provide breath-taking views of Walker Bay, and along the routes you'll no doubt encounter baboons, small antelope, birds galore including the black eagle and steppe buzzard.

At the start of the reserve near the Visitor's Centre there are magnificent fynbos gardens one cans stroll through - the paths there are wheelchair-friendly.

Every September the reserve hosts a Wildflower festival - luring South Africans and people from abroad to enjoy this "feast" of nature.  The displays in the hall are magnifcent and from the garden paths you can view whales in the distance. 

It's nature's "showtime!".

Fynbos is adapted to a Mediterranean climate (winter rainfall) and can also cope with strong winds, and over 130 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. During the day one will come across baboons, klipspringers (a small antelope), mongoose and rock rabbits, and at night there are porcupines, genets and grysbok.

Fernkloof is also host to a Farmer's market each Saturday morning. It's a fun and spectacular environment in which to shop for fresh produce and tasty treats. Extremely popular with locals and visitors alike.

Fynbos (meaning "fine bush" in Afrikaans) is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate. It is the collective name for a myriad of evergreen shrub-like plants with small firm leaves, often rolled - but also includes woody plants with hard leathery leaves, usually broad, often rolled