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.

We visited the Blyde River Canyon and stayed at the Swadini Forever Resort in Mpumalanga earlier this year and it was an amazing nature experience. The resort has a breathtaking setting as it sits at the foot of an impressive mountain and the Blyde River runs adjacent to the property.

There is a lot to do at the resort including hiking, bird-watching, tree spotting, swimming, tennis and putt-putt. The Kudu hiking trail is a short walk along the Blyde River where you can often see hippos which are fortunately prevented from entering the resort with a low electric fence. Kudu can easily hop over the electric fence so they often roam the grounds. While it is exciting to see wild animals unfortunately baboons have become a problem and often come into the chalets to steal food. Visitors are advised to keep windows closed and food out of sight. There is a lovely pool area with a heated swimming pools and slides and we enjoyed our time at the pool. The well equipped convenience store meant we could stock up on firewood, ice and of course ice-creams.

The resort has a bird list, butterfly list and tree list that is available from reception. Their tree list has 134 species recorded and there is a separate area which is called the Swadini Arboretum which has 52 species listed. Most of the trees on the grounds have tree tags on them which makes identifying and appreciating them all the more enjoyable.

Here is a list of the Trees to be seen at Swadini

Combretum hereroense (Russet Bushwillow)

Schotia brachypetala

Ficus craterstoma

Bridelia micrantha

Harpephyllum caffrum

Galpinia transvaalica

Philenoptera violacea

A short drive down the hill from Swadini Forever Resort is the Blyde River Canyon where you can book a boat cruise to go on the Blyde River Dam. We thoroughly enjoyed the boat trip through the Blyde River Canyon which was a unique and beautiful experience. The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest Canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in America and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. The boat trip takes about an hour and you can bring your own refreshments along (no alcohol). Our tour guide shared informative facts with us about the canyon as well as the Three Rondawels and the unique Tufa Waterfall. The area surrounding the canyon is the Blyde River Nature Reserve which means that the wildlife and birdlife is prolific. We saw crocodiles, hippos, a leguaan and lovely birds from our boat including Trumpeter Hornbill, HalfCollared Kingfisher and Fish Eagle.

Remember that for the Boat Cruise you need to book and pay in advance as internet signal is not the best once you are there. You can choose between morning or afternoon time slots. There is a conservation fee that needs to be paid at the entrance to the Blyde River Nature Reserve. We came back later that same day (the entrance fee gives you access for the full day) to visit the Waterfall which is a short walk along a lovely forest path. The water was ice cold but some people were brave enough to swim! I highly recommend doing the boat cruise and waterfall hike for an unforgettable nature experience.

So if you visit Swadini be sure to:

1. Explore the resort and see its impressive trees (spot the Euphorbia growing out of the Cussonia)

2. Walk along the BlydeRiver on the Kudu Trail and try and spot some hippos

3. Book a Boat Cruise on the Blyde River Canyon