A short trip to the south of Cape Town in South Africa, you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature that is globally so valuable, that it has been declared a biosphere reserve. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve aims to protect this vast natural wonder.
"We do this in a way that brings people closer to our planet, so that people of the Kogelberg thrive, while living in harmony with our rich biodiversity."
HECTARES
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO, is South Africa’s oldest biosphere reserve.
The reserve starts on the mountains above Gordon’s Bay, and includes land, sea and towns along the coast to just above Hermanus. It stretches inland past the town of Botriver and encompasses the growing economic hub of Grabouw. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve covers around 100 000 hectares – an area larger than Singapore. MORE
The heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom
PLANT SPECIES
ENDEMIC PLANT SPECIES
MARINE SPECIES
What makes the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve so valuable?
There are many reasons to visit our area.
This biosphere reserve is considered to be the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom – one of just six plant kingdoms in the world.
It has the richest, most complex biodiversity on earth, home to more than 1 880 plant species. Of these, 77 are found just here, and nowhere else. The seascapes here are also significant: more than 3 500 marine species occur only here. MORE
What do we do?
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve finds local solutions to global problems – by bringing our members together. Across the world, humankind has been using natural resources unsustainably, to our own detriment. The result is a loss of biodiversity and cultural heritage, risks to water and food security, increased poverty and a changing climate.
In the Kogelberg we seek to address this, reconciling conservation with sustainable development – to benefit all. Through our own activities and the actions of our members, we build towards sustainable and just economies here, while allowing nature to provide the services she offers us sustainably.
We work according to 5 project themes
Growing the economy
Protecting nature
Nature EducatiON
Securing water
Managing resources
HELPING NATURE DURING TIMES OF CRISIS
Over the past number of years, we’ve experienced the most devastating wildfires here. The impacts on people and livelihoods have been devastating. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve therefore wants to take action to help now – before the next disaster strikes. And we need YOUR support. We’re bringing together a team of volunteers, and we’re getting the necessary equipment in place now, so that we’re prepared.
Become a KBR member
Sign up as a KBR member, and you can access resources, networking opportunities, connections and capacity to help you and/or your business. As a KBR member, you also enjoy the power of the collective voice to bring about positive change. MORE HERE
LATEST NEWS
Your home lights could be endangering wetland’s wildlife
Having a house on the edge of a river or wetland? Well, what a joy to be surrounded by all that nature has to offer in these rich wildlife patches.
Snaring animals is “cruel, criminal” – and widespread
Snares are commonly used to catch wildlife for bushmeat – even in the Western Cape, and especially in areas in the Kogelberg Biosphere
We’re celebrating this #FloralFriday with a true fan favourite – 𝘕𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘬𝘰𝘦𝘪!
Also called ‘Kogelberg blue stars’, it’s no surprise that this species is one of the most striking plants in the #KogelbergBiosphere area, and endemic to the KBR.
This species belongs to a group of plants known as ‘woody irises’ and loves being centre-stage, since it flowers in late summer – well into March – at a time when little else is in flower. Then its clusters of blue flowers are truly show-stopping!
𝘕. 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘬𝘰𝘦𝘪 is a rare species, known from fewer than 10 subpopulations, all within the KBR. You’re sure to see this blue beauty in its home soil when visiting our biosphere reserve.
Images: Magriet Brink, Kleinmond Fynbos
Biosphere Living
Become a Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (KBR) member – and enjoy benefits specially designed to assist you and/or your business.. MORE
You can take the next step, to become even more involved in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve.
And remember to include us in your social media posts, by using the hashtag: #BiosphereLiving.