The Kogelberg Nature Reserve is situated about 90km south-east of Cape Town and comprises a core area of 18000ha as well as several smaller fragements. It lies within the Hottentots Holland Mountain Range and is often considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. It contains mountain peaks, steep kloofs, valleys and several tributaries of the prisitne Palmiet River that flows through the reserve, which makes it a paradise for hikers.

The whole area is inspirational and one of more than 400 biosphere reserves worldwide. Kogelberg was South Africa’s first registered biosphere reserve and it encompasses the entire coastal area from Gordon’s Bay to the Bot River estuary, and inland to Grabouw and the Groenland Mountain.

Hiking

We visited the reserve as Day Visitors and walked a short portion of the Palmiet River Trail and swam at a few spots along the path. The full circular route for the Palmiet River hike is 10km. There are several longer hikes including the Oudebosch-Harold Porter (6km), Kogelberg Trail (24km), the Perdeberg Trail (22km), the Three Sisters Trail (8km). The Highlands Trail is a moderate two-day overnight hike that begins at the farm Iona. Permits can be purchased at the reserve office or bookings can be made via CapeNature Central Reservations office. Weather can be variable and unpredictable so hikers should be prepared. For more information see Cape Nature’s website.

Flora

We loved the vast landscape, the beautiful Fynbos vegetation and swimming in the river. The reserve boasts 1800 plant species of which about 150 are endemic and noteworthy. Many spectacular members of the proea family occur in the reserve as well as three patches of indigneous forest (Loubos, Platbos and Oudebos) which are simialr to the Knysna forest and include yellowwood, stinkwood and boeenhout trees. The Palmiet River and its associated riparian vegetation is of the most pristine in the south-western Cape.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at Oudebosch in the form of five self catering eco-cabins and the newer Mbali Collection which consists of eight glass fronted cabins. Camping and picnic services are not provided. The design of the cabins at Kogelberg Nature Reserve is a harmonious blend of sustainable architecture and environmental conservation. They have been designed to blend into the landscape and have as light an impact on the environment as possible.

Design by KLG Architects - image taken from www.klg.co.za/hospitality/kogelbergcabins

We really enjoyed our visit to the Kogelberg Nature Reserve and I hope to be back to explore more of what this beautiful place has to offer.