Fernkloof Nature Reserve

Fernkloof Nature Reserve which celebrated its 50th birthday in 2007 is one of the best kept secrets in the Cape and for botanists it is one of the top hotspots of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Either way it is a very special asset to the coastal resort of Hermanus, covering 1800 hectares in the Kleinrivier Mountains above the town. The reserve ranges in altitude from sea level to 842m, giving it a unique diversity of landscapes including coastal, fynbos and a small patch of evergreen forest. In Fernkloof 1474 species of plant life have been collected and identified to date, making it one of the few places in the world where so many different species can be seen growing in such close proximity. The main climate of this area is Mediterranean with cold wet winters and hot dry summers with strong south easterly winds.
Wildlife in the reserve includes Grey rhebok, Cape grysbok, klipspringer, baboon, mongoose and dassie with other species like porcupine, genet and hare which are nocturnal and very seldom seen. There have been 92 different bird species recorded in the reserve including the Cape Sugar Bird, Sunbirds, Rock Thrush and Rock Jumpers, and raptors including the Jackal Buzzard and the Black Eagle.
The reserve has a 60km network of trails which provide the opportunity for people of all fitness levels to go out and enjoy nature. The various trails offer magnificent and unequalled views of Walker Bay, the Hemel en Aarde Valley and Maanskynbaai.
The reserve caters for guided tours by arrangement at a nominal fee. A series of graded trails, catering for all ages and fitness levels offer a window into the wonderful world of plants and flowers found in Fernkloof.
Directions from Cape Town:
On arriving in Hermanus, travel down the Main Road making a left turn at the bottom traffic lights to continue along the coastline. Pass through the four-way stop at the Marine Hotel and continue until you come to Fir Avenue on the left, just before the traffic circle which leads you to the beaches. Travel up Fir Avenue until you reach the entrance of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. The Botanical Centre buildings, including the Herbarium and Nursery, are on the left, gardens on the right and the Visitors Centre from which hiking trails set out from, is about 500 meters up the road. At present there is no entrance fee(2010). The reserve is open from 7:00 to 19:00

For more information and bookings contact:
Fernkloof office:
Tel: +27-28-3130819
Or email: botsochermanus@telkomsa.net