Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve

The Baviaanskloof – Valley of the Baboons – lies roughly 120km west of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The mega-reserve comprises of approximately 200 square kilometers of unspoiled, rugged, mountainous terrain. Beginning in the east at Komdomo Campsite, the road leads through the rugged beauty of the Groot River Port, winding its way through pristine conservation areas, towards Willowmore in the west. This covers a distance of approximately 250km. The Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve is one of the largest wilderness conservation areas in the country where about 500,000ha of land, owned by the government and the private sector, is collaboratively managed by Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency. It represents seven out of eight of South Africa’s biomes, which are distinct ecological communities of plants and animals that live together in a particular climate. For the more adventurous, the vast mountain kingdom offers an unique wilderness experience. It offers visitors various nature based opportunities which include, rock and mountain climbing, camping, bird watching and scenic drives. To the traveler it offers a memorable traveling experience through stunningly beautiful landscapes of a type to be found only in the Eastern Cape. As part of the Cape Floral Kingdom and due to the areas diverse habitat, the spectacular landscapes are home to more than a 1,000 different plant species. These include species of the well known and magnificent Erica and Protea families. The flora of the area encompasses a wide range of genetic diversity, which includes the genetically distinct, ancient cycads. Two surviving species of these ancient plants are found in the Baviaanskloof area.