South Africa: The first nature reserve in 20 years has been declared in the Western Cape

WWF South Africa, CapeNature and the Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust (LHSKT) yesterday announced the declaration of the Knersvlakte Nature Reserve. The 6 600km² reserve – the first to be declared for 20 years in the Western Cape – is located about a three-hour drive north of Cape Town. It forms part of the Succulent Karoo region and is considered a very important endemic region within this hotspot of international conservation concern. The Knersvlakte Nature Reserve is home to about 1 500 plant species, with 190 endemic species, of which 155 are threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in the area. The reserve area is owned by WWF South Africa through the funding of the LHSKT and is managed by CapeNature with an advisory board comprising of South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), CapeNature and local landowners.

How to get to the Knersvlakte Nature Reserve:
The Knersvlakte starts just north of the town of Vanrhynsdorp, located about a three hours’ drive along the N7 north of Cape Town.
Best time to visit the Knersvlakte Nature Reserve:
The spring flowers, depending on the rains during winter, come early to this region. It is at its best between the end of July and the end of September.