The Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve

Baviaanskloof! Baviaanskloof! Fascinating Baviaanskloof!
Baviaanskloof means "Valley of the Baboons"

The Skilderkrantz Private Nature Reserve is situated in the southern foothills of the Kouga Mountains, backing on the spectacular landscapes and unexplored canyons of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness.

By virtue of its potential size and range of biomes, species diversity and cultural artifacts, the Baviaaanskloof has long been recognized by conservation planners as being of critical importance. It represents one of the few remaining opportunities for mega-reserve creation in South Africa.

Historically 200 000 ha of the Baviaanskloof core area was conserved by virtue of its function as the water catchment for the Nelson Mandela Metropole. Now the authorities are looking inter alia to private conservation investors to buy up the remainder of the planned 500 000 ha and make the conversion from agriculture to a conservation based economy.

The timeless landscape, with its extraordinary biodiversity, rich cultural pre-history, crystal clear waters and fertile niches within the harshness, has for generations supported the descendants of the first European pioneer farmers. These early settlers, and the Khoisan and Stone Age people before them, understood and survived in balance with Nature. Now however, the pressures of modern farming together with impending climate change have pushed the natural systems to the verge of collapse. Clearly something must change.

This is where Skilderkrantz comes in and plays out its role in the larger picture.

An important meeting point for diverse cultures, the Baviaanskloof is a treasure trove of Stone Age archaeology, San cultural artifacts and paintings, as well as more recent habitations. For the above reasons Baviaanskloof has recently been awarded World Heritage status, and is one of three areas in the Cape Floral Kingdom that have been identified for mega-reserve status.

The Baviaanskloof and Skilderkrantz in particular, are crucially positioned to link up with a planned province-wide network of private and statutory conservation areas. These networks are crucial for the protection not only of individual species, but also the patterns and processes which support all life.

With six of Southern Africa’s seven biomes represented in a proposed mega-reserve, the Baviaanskloof is arguably the most botanically diverse area in Southern Africa. In addition, the high habitat diversity and complexity allows for an extremely rich fauna; potentially 46 medium to large size mammal species can be supported in the wider region.

Skilderkrantz is an excellent base from which to explore surrounding reserves and other attractions. Above all, we chose the Baviaanskloof because it is still largely wild, untamed and endlessly enchanting. Around every corner lie fascination and surprise for those who are open to them.