Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Year of Inscription: 2004
Criteria: (ix) be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;
(x) contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
Overview: The Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (CFRPA) is a series of protected areas in the Western Cape of South Africa, covering over 553,000 hectares of land. It is one of the richest areas for plant life in the world, with over 9,000 plant species, including many endemic species. The CFRPA is significant for its exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity.
Prominent Features: The CFRPA is characterized by its unique and diverse vegetation, including fynbos, renosterveld, and succulent karoo. The region is also home to a number of rare and endangered plant and animal species, including the Cape mountain zebra, geometric tortoise, and Table Mountain ghost frog.
History: The CFRPA has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years, with evidence of human occupation dating back over 100,000 years. The region has a rich cultural heritage, with many indigenous communities living in the area and practicing traditional land-use practices. However, the area has also been impacted by colonialism, agricultural expansion, and urbanization, which have all contributed to the loss of natural habitat and biodiversity.
Fun Fact: The CFRPA is home to the smallest of the six recognized floral kingdoms in the world, known as the Cape Floristic Region. Despite its small size, it is one of the richest areas for plant life, with over 9,000 plant species, 70% of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can visit a number of different areas within the CFRPA, including Table Mountain National Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve, and the West Coast National Park. Visitors can go on guided walks and hikes, go whale-watching, and explore the unique flora and fauna of the area.
Entry Fees: The entry fees for the CFRPA vary depending on the specific area being visited. Some areas, such as Table Mountain National Park, require a fee for entry, while others, such as the West Coast National Park, have a per-person fee. For example, the entry fee for Table Mountain National Park is R303 (about USD $20) per adult and R152 (about USD $10) per child under the age of 12. The entry fee for the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is R75 (about USD $5) per adult and R20 (about USD $1.50) per child under the age of 17
How to Reach It: The CFRPA is located in the Western Cape of South Africa, with several entry points to the different protected areas. Visitors can fly into Cape Town International Airport and hire a car to explore the different areas.
Public transport to the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas depends on which specific area within the region you want to visit. The Cape Floral Region Protected Areas are spread across several locations, and public transport options can vary between them.
For example, if you want to visit Table Mountain National Park, you can take the MyCiTi bus from central Cape Town to the Table Mountain cable car station. Alternatively, you can take a minibus taxi to the lower cableway station.
If you want to visit the West Coast National Park, you can take the West Coast Express bus from Cape Town to Langebaan, and then hire a car or take a taxi to the park.
If you want to visit the De Hoop Nature Reserve, there are no direct public transport options available, and it is recommended to hire a car or join a guided tour.
Where to Stay: There are a number of accommodation options within the CFRPA, including campsites, chalets, and guesthouses. Some of the recommended places to stay include the De Hoop Collection, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, and the Rocherpan Nature Reserve. Also easy to visit from Cape Town accommodation.
Next Stop: Vredefort Dome
Year of Inscription: 2004
Criteria: (ix) be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;
(x) contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
Overview: The Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (CFRPA) is a series of protected areas in the Western Cape of South Africa, covering over 553,000 hectares of land. It is one of the richest areas for plant life in the world, with over 9,000 plant species, including many endemic species. The CFRPA is significant for its exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity.
Prominent Features: The CFRPA is characterized by its unique and diverse vegetation, including fynbos, renosterveld, and succulent karoo. The region is also home to a number of rare and endangered plant and animal species, including the Cape mountain zebra, geometric tortoise, and Table Mountain ghost frog.
History: The CFRPA has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years, with evidence of human occupation dating back over 100,000 years. The region has a rich cultural heritage, with many indigenous communities living in the area and practicing traditional land-use practices. However, the area has also been impacted by colonialism, agricultural expansion, and urbanization, which have all contributed to the loss of natural habitat and biodiversity.
Fun Fact: The CFRPA is home to the smallest of the six recognized floral kingdoms in the world, known as the Cape Floristic Region. Despite its small size, it is one of the richest areas for plant life, with over 9,000 plant species, 70% of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can visit a number of different areas within the CFRPA, including Table Mountain National Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve, and the West Coast National Park. Visitors can go on guided walks and hikes, go whale-watching, and explore the unique flora and fauna of the area.
Entry Fees: The entry fees for the CFRPA vary depending on the specific area being visited. Some areas, such as Table Mountain National Park, require a fee for entry, while others, such as the West Coast National Park, have a per-person fee. For example, the entry fee for Table Mountain National Park is R303 (about USD $20) per adult and R152 (about USD $10) per child under the age of 12. The entry fee for the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is R75 (about USD $5) per adult and R20 (about USD $1.50) per child under the age of 17
How to Reach It: The CFRPA is located in the Western Cape of South Africa, with several entry points to the different protected areas. Visitors can fly into Cape Town International Airport and hire a car to explore the different areas.
Public transport to the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas depends on which specific area within the region you want to visit. The Cape Floral Region Protected Areas are spread across several locations, and public transport options can vary between them.
For example, if you want to visit Table Mountain National Park, you can take the MyCiTi bus from central Cape Town to the Table Mountain cable car station. Alternatively, you can take a minibus taxi to the lower cableway station.
If you want to visit the West Coast National Park, you can take the West Coast Express bus from Cape Town to Langebaan, and then hire a car or take a taxi to the park.
If you want to visit the De Hoop Nature Reserve, there are no direct public transport options available, and it is recommended to hire a car or join a guided tour.
Where to Stay: There are a number of accommodation options within the CFRPA, including campsites, chalets, and guesthouses. Some of the recommended places to stay include the De Hoop Collection, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, and the Rocherpan Nature Reserve. Also easy to visit from Cape Town accommodation.
Next Stop: Vredefort Dome