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. The Kogelberg Biosphere 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, designated by UNESCO, is South Africa’s oldest biosphere.
The Kogelberg Biosphere 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 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 so valuable?
There are many reasons to visit our area.
The Kogelberg Biosphere 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 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.
To achieve this, the Kogelberg Biosphere plays a central coordinating role: by working together across the biosphere, we can break down the silos in which we traditionally work, empower each other through knowledge and achieve our biosphere goals through collective action.
We work according to 5 project themes
SECURING WATER
PROTECTING NATURE
NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
GROWING THE ECONOMY
Education and awareness raising
HELPING ANIMALS IN DESPERATE NEED OF CARE
After three years of planning, renovations and capacity building, we have launched the Western Cape’s first permitted wildlife rehabilitation centre. The Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue & Training Centre received its permits to operate in December 2024. Now we’re taking in injured animals in need of critical care, helping them recover, in order to release these animals back into the wild. The centre is particularly important as a rescue centre for blue cranes, our national bird.
Become a Kogelberg Biosphere member
Sign up as a member, and you can access resources, networking opportunities, connections and capacity to help you and/or your business. As a member, you also enjoy the power of the collective voice to bring about positive change. MORE HERE
LATEST NEWS
The living waters of South Africa’s Kogelberg
Beneath the surface lies a liquid jewel box, where nature keeps its treasures. I’ve travelled and dived in many places in South Africa and the world. And I’ve witnessed why this ocean stretch is extraordinary – it’s home to over 3500 marine species
The Kogelberg Biosphere caps a year of conservation and community impact
The Kogelberg Biosphere has experienced a year marked by community partnership, expanding conservation efforts and measurable progress in ecological stewardship.
Here’s our #FloralFriday feature: The gorgeous Disa atricapilla.
Metallic disa, as it’s known, is a striking perennial reaching up to 30cm, easily recognised by its unusual, flat-topped spray of up to 20 flowers. Its large, wing-like side sepals glow red and white with distinctive black tips, while the maroon, speckled petals add even more drama.
This species thrives in seepage areas and damp spots, often blooming only after these wet patches have dried out. And true to many fynbos gems, it flowers in the summer months, often in the first summer season after a fire.
Status: Least Concern
Image credit: @martinerobinson on iNaturalist.com
Source: Fernkloof Nature Reserve
Biosphere Living
Become a Kogelberg Biosphere member – and enjoy benefits specially designed to assist you and/or your business.
You can take the next step, to become even more involved in the Kogelberg Biosphere.
And remember to include us in your social media posts, by using the hashtag: #BiosphereLiving.