Green is gold at top CapeNature reserve, 24 June 2010
Hailed as one of the jewels in the biodiversity crown of the Cape Floristic Kingdom, and recently recognised by CapeNature as the best run out of its 26 provincial nature reserve, Gamkaberg nature reserve now boasts environmental friendly eco-lodges and a hiking trail acclaimed as one of the world’s best.
“Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, close to Oudshoorn is home to one of the most species rich environments on earth” says CapeNature Executive Director of Business Development, Sheraaz Ismail. “Of all of CapeNature’s reserves, nowhere will your sense of seclusion and rustication be greater” Ismail says of the 80 000 ha reserve. Here, you may even spot the majestic leopard, oom Pep, named by CapeNature rangers after a local man who loved walking the popular Tierkloof Trail. “And at night, on a full moon do not be surprised if you hear the doves call from the thorn trees, hoping to gain evolutionary advantage!” The 27,5 km two-day Tierkloof hiking trail has been acclaimed as one of the world’s best in a recently published book “Unforgettable walks to take before you die, by British authors, Steve Watkins and Clare Jones. The authors chose thirty of the world’s most beautiful and inspiring trails for inclusion in their book. The trail is now placed alongside world renowned trails such as Peru’s Inca Trail, India Darjeeling Tea Trek, China’s Giant Panda Walk and Scotland’s West Highland Way. Says Ismail: “With this latest development, CapeNature wanted to continue demonstrating how tourism development can be successfully implemented within a protected area”. “The brief to the architects and contractors was to ‘go green’ and to minimize and mitigate any impact on the natural environment”. “Examples of environmentally friendly construction in this case are the use of solar power for water heating, lighting, toilet fans, pool pumps as well as waterless toilets,” Conservation Manager of Gamkaberg, Tom Barry said. “This pristine reserve is testament of how industry can ensure sustainable economic development and preserve the unique biodiversity of the Western Cape for future generations”, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell added. During the construction of the eco-lodges, jobs were created for 12 local people from surrounding communities. END MORE NEW FACILITIES (ECO-LODGES) The two new lodges were carefully constructed along a network of pathways in order to minimise the impact on the surrounding environment. In addition to this more than 70 indigenous trees have been planted at one of the new developments because it was previously used as a stock kraal and had been moderately disturbed. Sweet Thorn which has 6 beds and Fossil Ridge which has 4, are comfortable yet rustic lodges which consist of Safari Style tents (sleeping 2 persons each), ablution building, splash pool and open air kitchen/ lounge with adjacent lapa. Sweet Thorn is situated adjacent to a Sweet thorn thicket in an area of low scrub where the open expanse of the Klein Karoo and vistas of the distant Swartberg can be experienced. Fossil Ridge, named after a nearby ridge containing ancient marine fossils is more secluded and enhances close up views of the cliffs and surrounding bush EXISTING FACILITIES The new facilities were developed following high demand for the existing unique offering. THE HIKING TRAIL Day 2 The Cape Leopard Trust is monitoring leopard movement in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve as part of a research project in the Gouritz corridor. Several cameras have been set up to monitor these big cats. The Gamkaberg staff recently, much to their delight, spotted a resident male leopard that patrols the Tierkloof trail. This majestic leopard, oom Pep, has been named after a local man who lived and worked in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve for most of his life and loved to take long walks in Tierkloof. As a result, he often encountered leopard on this track! But not to worry! Leopards are active during the cooler periods of the day and prefer to avoid contact with humans as far as possible. Hikers who want to spend more time on the reserve have the alternative to overnight at one of 5 overnight facilities. ISSUED BY:
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