Kogelberg Bioshpere Reserve - A Celebration of Fynbos

Celebrating a South African First.

 

Just an hour or so out of Cape Town, stretching along one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives and up into the fertile valleys of the Elgin orchards, lies the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve…South Africa’s first UNESCO designated biosphere reserve.

 

The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve was signed into being 10 years ago. Its claim to fame is not only its breathtaking landscapes and seascapes, with towering fold mountains tumbling into the ocean. No, it has a less obvious uniqueness…the greatest number of plant species for its size anywhere on earth!

 

A Celebration of Fynbos and the KBR!  For the last 4 years KOBIO, (the Kogelberg Biosphere Association) has staged a festival in Kleinmond to celebrate this special place. Each year the Fynbos Festival has grown…and now it’s become a 4 day celebration, each with its own theme!

 

Saturday 13 December has a ‘Fynbos & Food’ focus. There will be guided fynbos walks and talks, fynbos plant sales, plenty of delicious sea-food, wine-tasting of local wines, dried fruits and nuts plus food specials and live entertainment.    

 

Sunday 14 has an ‘Ecoscape’ focus; walks to see SA’s only wild horses, mountain bikes for hire in the core of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, sand-boarding on SA’s highest sand-dunes in Betty’s Bay, horse rides through the fynbos and other outdoor adventures.

 

Monday 15 December  is the ‘Kids Carnival’ with slippy slides, jumping castles, face painting and more.

 

On Tuesday 16 December, it is ‘Market Mania’ - the local animal welfare will hold its traditional ‘rarities and collectibles’ stall and every trader will have bargains to browse…  

 

And on each and every day, Kleinmond’s Harbour Road will be buzzing with crafts, stalls, indigenous plant sales, fynbos-friendly Christmas tree sales, live entertainment and the “Green and Holistic Living” expo.

 

Although the Harbour Road Waterfront (a year-round tourist favorite) remains the core of the Festival, other KBR villages will also be participating on the fringes.  There will be guided walks at the Stony Point Penguin breeding colony, Betty’s Bay, attend a talk at the beautiful Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens in Betty’s Bay…or do a tour of the Green Mountain wine route and overnight at the coast ready to hit the “Green and Holistic Living Expo” at Harbour Road and the book fair and flower photography lecture at Mthimkhulu Eco-Village, Kleinmond.  For beach lovers, Pringle Bay’s ‘Windgat Festival’ kicks off on 16 December.

 

So for anyone with a love of nature, good food, books, bargains or adventure…this is the Festival for you! Keep in touch with the programme details on  http://www.ecoscape.co.za   or call the friendly Hangklip-Kleinmond Tourism Bureau (028) 271 5657…they also provide a free accommodation booking service.