Deadly Death Cap Mushroom
Behold the Death Cap mushroom which was spotted in the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.
Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy
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In 1999, landowners were invited to several meetings, leading to the formation of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy on the 29th of September 1999.
Over 40 landowners manage the 20,000+ hectares of lowland fynbos and forest, which has high conservation value and is known globally as the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy is proud to be endorsed by international award-winning sponsors who have gained international acclaim in conservation and responsible tourism.
The Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy includes:
Conservation and preservation are at the forefront of Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy’s ethos and ongoing projects include:
In 2015 the conservancy acquired eight camera traps (funded by Grootbos Nature Reserve) which are placed at various strategic sites across the conservancy. Since then, the Grootbos Foundation acquired funding for an additional 30 traps, and together with privately-owned cameras, landowners within the conservancy have been able to learn more about the movement of the animals in the area.
The Department of Environmental Affairs funds an alien clearing project that is being run by Flower Valley Conservation Trust. The funds are allocated to properties where landowners have invested in the conservation management of their land. This has provided much-needed employment for teams that have received training facilitated by the Grootbos Foundation.
Over the last 17 years, the conservancy has recorded 1,000+ species of indigenous plants, including eight endemic to the area and six that are new to science. The long-term goal is to link the conservancy with the Agulhas National Park, some 25 kilometres southeast by securing and establishing high priority land to establish a recognised, functional and economically viable corridor.
The conservancy members all belong to the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association, and together form a fire management unit that has trained staff and firefighting equipment.
The Flower Valley Conservation Trust, Grootbos Foundation and Skills Exchange Cooperative have programmes that focus on upliftment and development within local communities, with a strong environmental component.
Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy promotes sustainable tourism and provides a selection of eco-friendly accommodation options that include:
A guest house between Gansbaai and Stanford, set on 300-hectares of indigenous fynbos offering a panoramic view of Walker Bay.
Amenities:
Contact Bellavista Country Place, here.
A spiritual retreat set on 217-hectares of natural fynbos at the foot of the Witkransberg, just outside Stanford.
Amenities:
Contact Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat, here.
A sustainable nature retreat set in-amongst 800-hectares of fynbos in the Uilkraal Valley, between Stanford and Cape Agulhas.
Amenities:
Accommodation (freestanding suites and rooms in an old homestead)
Contact, Farm 215, here.
A small organic farm between Stanford and Gansbaai that is home to happy horses, cows, pigs, chickens and children.
Amenities:
Contact Fountainbush Cottage @ Amàre Farm, here.
A working dairy farm in Papiesvlei that borders the Salmonsdam Nature Reserve between Gansbaai and Stanford.
Amenities:
Contact Goedvertrou Guest Farm, here.
A family-friendly country destination set on the slopes of a fynbos-covered mountain just outside Gansbaai, with a magnificent elevated view of the Atlantic Ocean and Dyer Island.
Amenities:
An award-winning five-star eco-paradise close to Gansbaai, set on 2,500-hectares of pristine wilderness with access to mountains, forests and sea.
Amenities:
Contact Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, here.
A boutique-style guest resort and luxury spa situated alongside the Hermanus Lagoon and Klein River Mountains just past Stanford.
Amenities:
Contact Mosaic Lagoon Lodge, here.
An eco-friendly destination with 140-hectares of untouched fynbos surrounding you and 180-degree views of the Hermanus Lagoon and Klein River Mountain just outside Stanford.
Amenities:
Contact Perivoli Lagoon House, here.
An off-the-grid destination just outside Stanford where you can immerse yourself in nature, restore your soul, and reconnect with the rhythms of the earth
Amenities:
Contact Platbos Forest, here.
A destination set along one-and-a-half kilometres of unspoiled lagoon shoreline and 1,000-acres of indigenous fynbos that backs onto the Walker Bay Nature Reserve in between Hermanus and De Kelders.
Amenities:
Contact Spookhuis Cottages, here.
A 35-hectare farm nestled in the eastern slopes of Witkransberg in the beautiful Flower Valley.
Amenities:
Contact Witkrans, here.
A 700-hectare property located in the heart of the Cape’s floristic region between Baardskeerdersbos and Elim.
Amenities:
Contact Vleiroos @ Sandberg Fynbos Reserve, here.
Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, and its colourful and bountiful landscape, is a paradise for the magnificent array of bird species that visit the 9,000+ plant species that grow in it.
Birding enthusiasts are spoiled for choice when it comes to viewing opportunities and the abundance of feathered beauties ranges from waders to birds of prey, and everything in-between. If you are lucky, you might just spot the ever-so-rare Hottentot buttonquail (Turnix hottentottus).
Contact the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy for more information about the best spots for your self-guided birding tours.
Explore the myriad of hiking trails on the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy that are suited for walkers and hikers of all fitness levels.
Embark on a guided or self-guided fynbos safari and discover the beauty that awaits in the Cape Floral Kingdom. From fields covered in sprays of pink when the Erica irregularus blooms in spring, gorges where you can take a refreshing dip in mountain ponds, to hilltops showcasing breathtaking views of Walker Bay, this is a natural destination that will keep you coming back for more.
Contact the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy to find out where the best hiking routes are, alternatively you can arrange a knowledgeable guide who has an extensive background in botany and fynbos ecology to guide you on your next hiking adventure:
The Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy invites you, and your mountain bike, to experience custom-built MTB trails and tracks. The Klipspringer MTB Trail is one of the most popular and consists of four routes, all starting and finishing at Lomond Wine Estate.
Cost:
Day permits and annual memberships can be purchased at the Lomond Tasting Room.
A custom-designed mix of singletrack and gravel roads, long climbs that take you to the top of fynbos-covered mountains with breathtaking views, followed by fast and fun descents.
A gravel road and two-track route that follows the rolling hilltops around the Lomond dam.
A mostly singletrack route that features the best trails the area has to offer. A steep and technical climb takes you to the top of the highest point on Lomond. The descent includes jumps, berms and rocks.
A blend of singletrack and two-track, this route offers a quick sample of the best views and flowing trails that the area has to offer.
If you require more information, please contact Lomond directly.
The award-winning vineyards found in the maritime climate of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy thrive on the cool sea breezes that ensure the vines are kept at a moderate temperature. Although this results in grapes ripening a little later than usual it also has them bursting with flavour.
The unique blend of geography, geology and climate has resulted in a terroir that is perfect for wine production.
Make your way along wine routes less-travelled and discover wines estates such as:
All proceeds gained from permits directly benefit Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.
Contact Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy for more information, alternatively, permits can be purchased directly from Lomond Wine Estate.
The Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy’s non-profit organizations use skilled, and specialised volunteers, for their various conservation and upliftment programmes. These organisations include:
The Flower Valley Conservation Trust works to conserve the vulnerable Fynbos Kingdom and protect those livelihoods who depend on it. The trust has the following focus areas:
For more information about the trust, to donate or become a volunteer, see here.
The Grootbos Foundation transforms communities through ecotourism, enterprise development, sports development and education. Many of the projects are self-sustaining and generate an income and are partially self-sustaining. The foundation’s implementation strategies are based on three integrated umbrella programmes that include:
For more information about the foundation, to donate or become a volunteer, see here.
The Skills Exchange Cooperative was formed by a group of like-minded businesses that include Farm 215, Whalesong Lodge, African Horse Company, CART, and Lomond Wine Estate. The cooperative’s main focus is:
For more information about the cooperative, to donate or become a volunteer, see here.
Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy thanks you for your donation.
| Banking Details: Bank: First National Bank |
Behold the Death Cap mushroom which was spotted in the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.
Recent footage of an adult female Leopard in the core of the conservancy with her subadult cub.
Both catch and release into the conservancy.
Over the last few months, our teams have been actively doing botanical surveys at various farms along the Walk...
Botanical surveys are an active part of the work we do at the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.
Our objective is to create an understanding of the wildlife communities occupying the WBFC.
