Middle Keurbooms Conservancy

Middle Keurbooms Conservancy

On the beautiful Prince Alfred Pass lies the Middle Keurbooms Conservancy, or MKC for short. More than 30 000 hectares have been designated by landowners in the vicinity, concerned about their environment, to protecting the indigenous fauna and flora of the area. They've also combined a number of eco tourism and eco farming activities for those who have the time to take the route slowly, and to stop and savour what the locals are doing.

The group of landowners encourage visitors to come and see what they're doing. As they say 'we have proven that you don't need millions to make a difference...'. The main aims of the creation of the conservancy was to form a conservation corridor within the Keurbooms River Valley, to promote the historical and cultural significance of the Prince Alfred Pass, and to minimise the carbon and water footprint of the area. All the farms are leopard friendly.

The landowners have been involved in a number of projects as a result. There has been a major clearance of alien vegetation on properties in the valley, in particular on the Keurbooms River Game Trails and at Williamsburg Mountain Reserve, where indigenous tree species have also been reintroduced, and the natural wetlands and wilderness area fenced off to protect it from domestic and wild animals. They are also part of a 'water neutral' project, where they offer 'iinfested catchment areas' to companies who need to become water neutral. The group has also introduced green electricity in the form of hydro power and solar panels.

Members of the conservancy include: Williamsburg Mountain Reserve, Keurbooms River Game Trails, Burchell Oxwagon Track (Pietersrivier Farm), Outeniqua Trout Lodge, and the Landmark Foundation.

Contact CapeNature: Telephone: +27 (0)44 745-1013