Kogelberg Nature Reserve- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Kogelberg Nature Reserve, located east of Cape Town within the Kogelberg Mountains, encompasses 3,000 hectares of rugged terrain and is globally recognized for its extraordinary plant diversity. With over 1,600 plant species—many of them endemic—it is considered to have the richest floral biodiversity per unit area on Earth. The reserve protects critical mountain fynbos, particularly the Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, along with riparian zones along the Palmiet River and relic patches of Southern Afrotemperate Forests. This variety of ecosystems supports species such as Protea nitida, wild almond, and yellowwoods, and offers important habitat for native birdlife and mammals, including chacma baboons. Historically, the area was inhabited by San hunter-gatherers and Khoi pastoralists, leaving behind archaeological traces like shell middens. Due to its steep and isolated landscape, the region remained largely untouched for centuries. A conservation initiative led by Harry Molteno in the 1950s helped transition the land from potential forestry development to formal protection. Managed by CapeNature since 1987, the reserve now forms the core of the 1,000 km² Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Visitor access is limited to designated trails such as those along the Steenbras River Gorge, ensuring minimal impact on the ecosystem. The scenic R44 road runs alongside the reserve, offering views of the coast and seasonal whale and dolphin sightings.