Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy

About Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy

Just two and a half hours from Cape Town, the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy stretches for 13 000 hectares, or over 32 000 acres. It extends from the coast of Walker Bay, which is a large bay that is nestled between False Bay and Cape Agulhas, all the way to some inland mountains.

Did you know? The southern tip of Africa is one of the true gems of the continent. It offers an array of natural beauty that remains quite unrivalled for its sheer diversity and beauty. The Cape Floral Kingdom is one of these little jewels, and simply has to be seen to be appreciated.

The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest of only six floral kingdoms on the planet at 90 000 square kilometres, the only one that is contained entirely within the borders of one country, and is home to an impressive 9 000 plant species. About 70% of these can only be found within its boundaries, making it inexorably valuable. In fact, this area boasts more indigenous plant species than any other region of a similar size on the globe. The Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy is a special part of this kingdom, one that contributes to its biodiversity and plays an integral role in raising awareness.

Fynbos is a beautiful and interesting group of plants that is characterised by its delicate scrubbiness and hardy demeanour. Found only in South Africa, it has no fewer than 7 000 species under the ‘fynbos' umbrella and is, therefore, the plant species with the highest biodiversity in the world.

The Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy stretches for 13 000 hectares, or over 32 000 acres. It extends from the coast of Walker Bay, which is a large bay that is nestled between False Bay and Cape Agulhas, all the way to some inland mountains.

Part of the value of this conservancy is that it is the natural hub of a range of endangered and rare fynbos species and habitats. So many of these are otherwise decimated or damaged by urbanisation, agriculture, alien species, deforestation, and pollution; making it even more important to invest in the protection and conservation of these assets.

The fynbos found in the Walker Bay Conservancy is absolutely spectacular, and includes a mosaic of colours, sizes and textures. The plants found in this conservancy alone make up about 10% of the species of the entire Cape Floral Kingdom. The collection includes some species that are known to be rare or threatened, assuring visitors of a particularly special experience when visiting Walker Bay. Visiting the conservancy gives visitors the prime opportunity of experiencing the undeniable wonders of nature and, particularly, the Western Cape.

The very definition of a conservancy implies that it is an area in which the environment is being cared for, managed and protected with the help of the local community. As it becomes more and more sustainable through effective management, the fauna and flora naturally increase in number and variety, improving the conservancy's aesthetic value and impacting positively on its resources (both financial and other). In addition, conservancies like Walker Bay are frequently used for research and surveys, which results in increased understanding and, in the long run, funding.

Visitors from all over the world are invited to visit the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and be a part of the ongoing initiative to conserve this exquisite plant family and to immerse themselves in its beauty.