About Formosa Nature Reserve
Just north of Nature's Valley, between the towns of Kareedouw and Misgund, the Formosa Nature Reserve lies inland of what is arguably the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the country - the Garden Route.
Did you know? The Formosa Nature Reserve probably got its title from Bartholomew Dias, as early as 1488, when he named the peaks that surround Plettenberg Bay; 'Pic Formosa'.
The Formosa peak remains the highest peak in the Tsitsikamma range of mountains today and is one of the major attractions of the reserve.
The 5 0000 hectare reserve, which includes the Tsitsikamma Mountains within its range, is described as 'beautifully wild' and little is written about it, ensuring its obscurity and making it high on the itinerary list of anyone who enjoys the solitude of a reserve seldom disturbed.
There are no formal hikes in the reserve, which doesn't stop walkers of all description heading out here to amble along informal paths and trek towards the famous peak. Whilst a flourishing bird life attracts birders to the Formosa reserve, which is dominated mainly by mountain forest and wet fynbos.
One could spend days in the area surrounded only by the wild, as the long stretch of the Formosa Nature Reserve lies almost midway between the Tsitsikamma National Park, Nature's Valley, and the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area.
Just north of Formosa Nature Reserve lies a short stretch of Route 62, best likened to America's Route 66, which strings together the little towns of Kareedouw, Kammiebos, Joubertina, Louterwater, Misgund and Haarlem - a group of beautifully preserved villages that have suffered little from remaining in hibernation awaiting re-discovery.
Need to Know
WhereFormosa Nature Reserve, Nature's Valley, Tsitsikamma, Garden Route / Eastern Cape
WhenBest during daylight hours.
OvernightStay in Natures Valley Accommodation, Garden Route
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your reserve, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inGame & Nature Reserves in Garden Route
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Natures Valley
Rainforest Ridge Eco-Lodge
African Crags Eco-Lodge offers comfortable accommodation in the Crags, Natures Valley. Choose one of three units, all offered on a bed & breakfas...
Tranquility B&B
Tranquility B&B will always be ready to accommodate the love birds but will now also be fully equipped to accommodate the active and the adventur...
Treehouse Cottage
Treehouse Cottage is situated in a rural estate in the indigenous forest in the Crags, in-between Nature's Valley and Plettenberg Bay. The cottag...
Lily Pond Country Lodge
Surrounded by 12 hectares of magnificent indigenous forest and unique lily ponds. Experience the tranquillity of unspoiled nature with breathtaki...
Natures Valley Rest Camp
The Natures Valley Rest Camp offers Tsitsikamma self catering in two comfortable semi detached chalets and basic accommodation in a selection of ...
Valmont Dam Cottage
Valmont Dam Cottage offers accommodation in Keurboomstrand on Valmont Estate. Valmont Estate is situated on the beautifully scenic Garden Route, ...
Boomskraap
Boomskraap is a holiday home offering self-catering accommodation in Nature's Valley situated close to the lagoon and ocean, making this the idea...
Valmont Bush Cottage
Valmont Bush Cottage offers accommodation in Keurboomstrand on the Valmont Estate. Valmont Bush Cottage is a self catering, rustic A-framed cotta...
Valmont Estate
Valmont Estate offers accommodation in the heart of the scenic Garden Route. The property boasts breathtaking scenery with lakes and trees. The t...
Entre Mer et Fôret
Entre Mer et Fôret boasts accommodation in Natures Valley, Plettenberg Bay. Bloukrans Bridge is 13km from Entre Mer et Fôret, while De Vasselot N...
Things to do in the area
Hog Hollow Horse Trails
The Tsitsikamma is an exquisite part of the Garden Route in South Africa. It is breath-taking in its natural splendour and its abundance in fauna...
Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours
'Me Tarzan, you Jane.' Swing from the treetops across the forest canopy of the place named by the ancient San, Tsitsikamma (place of abundant wat...
Hog Hollow Horse Drawn Carriage Tours
Many of the guest houses, boutique hotels and B&B's that make up the Garden Route accommodation offering are just a short drive from the beautifu...
Ocean Encounters
Our Ecological adventure leaves from Central Beach with an exciting beach launch and heads east past the bird sanctuary and Keurbooms beach to Ar...
Nature's Way Farmstall
When travelling on the R102 between Natures Valley and Plettenberg Bay, stop in at Nature's Way Farmstall for a taste of real dairy goods made fr...
Birdwatching in Tsitsikamma
Tsitsikamma, situated along the exquisite Garden Route, is a haven for birdlife. It is the ideal getaway for nature-lovers, particularly those th...
Natures Valley Beach
Nestled within the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, Nature’s Valley Beach is a pristine haven that epitomizes untouched coa...
Kalander Kloof Hiking Trail
Nature's Valley is, undoubtedly, one of the natural gems of South Africa. Its peaceful ambience and breath-taking beauty is simultaneously humbli...
Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail
The Green Flag Certified Tsitiskamma trail is the first officially accredited hiking trail and will take you through mountain fynbos and the gree...
Noteworthy attractions
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Head off towards Nature's Valley from Plettenberg Bay on the N2 and Keurbooms River Nature Valley lies roughly 8 km along the major route of the ...
Tsitsikamma National Park
The Tsitsikamma National Park is situated at the heart of the picturesque tourist region known as the Garden Route, found in the Southern Cape of...
Bloukrans River Bridge
Bungi jump the highest commercial bungi jump in the world! The Bloukrans Bungi Jump surpasses the position previously held by the Victoria Falls ...
Garden Route National Park
The Garden Route National Park, established by SANParks and also known as GRNP, spans an impressive 121 000 hectares and includes the existing Wi...
Garden Route Wine Estates
The Garden Route produces some fantastic wines. The cool, wet winters and temperate summers (with their own fair share of rains) make for the per...
Bloukrans Pass
Bloukrans River Bridge, just beyond Nature's Valley in the Western Cape, is famous for its bungi jump, reputed to be the highest commercial bungi...
Langkloof Valley
Part of the Cape Fold Belt, the Langkloof Mountains are a short range of mountains that serve as a link between the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua Mou...
De Vasselot Nature Reserve
De Vasselot Nature Reserve is part of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Nature's Valley, the unpretentious holiday village, lies within De Vasselot ...
Fynbos Golf Course
The Fynbos Golf Course features hazards like bunkers, as well as tiered landing areas and well-defined tee boxes to ensure the smoothest game wit...
Accommodation near Formosa Nature Reserve
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Garden Route Accommodation / Natures Valley Accommodation