About Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve
Stretching all the way from Diep River in Milnerton, Cape Town, to the Berg River close to Velddrif on the West Coast, Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR) was designated as such by UNESCO in 2000.
Did you know? The Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve has three aims: to foster ecologically sustainable human development, to conserve the landscapes, vegetation and species of the West Coast, and to lend support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to the issues of conservation and development.
The beautiful area of the Cape Floristic Region is deemed worthy of protecting internationally, particularly as Cape Town expands in the only direction it can, northwards up the West Coast.
For this reason the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve has three aims: to foster ecologically sustainable human development, to conserve the landscapes, vegetation and species of the West Coast, and to lend support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to the issues of conservation and development.
The Biosphere Reserve includes essential areas like the Langebaan Lagoon, also a designated Ramsar wetland, and its major ecosystems are coastal plains, marine-influenced fynbos areas, rocky islets, marine areas and wetlands. If you consider that at least 132 000 people live in the biosphere alone, and a further 160 000 make their presence felt during holiday seasons and weekends, the CWCBR, a non-profit organisation, has its work cut out for them.
The devastatingly beautiful landscapes that lie within the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, including an abundance of vegetation and animal life, has an alternative beyond seeking only economical progress at all coast, to the detriment of natural resources. That this region is a biosphere means, in theory, that development is still allowed, but done in a sustainable and more controlled way, and in a manner that allows for a better balance of society with less distinction between rich and poor.
The balance is accepting that development and the environment are interrelated. Part of this development includes training communities and local farmers about the alternatives for their environment, encouraging the planting of local indigenous vegetation, fining those who contaminate water, and encouraging safer and cleaner production methods, whilst trying to slowly erode the model of excessive consumption.
Need to Know
WhereCape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa
WhenDaylight hours.
OvernightStay in Cape West Coast Accommodation, Western Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your reserve, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inGame & Nature Reserves in Western Cape
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Cape West Coast
Galico House
Galico House is a double storey holiday home in Langebaan located in the centre of town. The house accommodates up to ten guests in five bedrooms...
Thali Thali Game Lodge
Thali Thali is a 1460 hectare Cape West Coast game and fynbos reserve situated just of the R27 near Langebaan. The accommodation at Thali Thali c...
Oyster Catcher
Oyster Catcher is a ground floor apartment situated in a security complex in Langebaan on the Cape west Coast. The Apartment sleeps two adults an...
Bella Casa
Situated on the popular Langebaan Country Estate, Bella Casa is a comfortable and modern two bedroom unit which offers accommodation. The Estate ...
Paradise 25
Paradise 25 offers comfortable accommodation in walking distance to the beautiful Paradise Beach. The well-regulated, secure area allows for chil...
Seasons of Serenity
On the beach in the secure residential area of Calypso Beach in Langebaan, Seasons of Serenity is a large, comfortable house accommodating eight...
Langebaan Escape
Langebaan Escape offers accommodation in Langebaan, only an hour and a half from Cape Town, is the perfect distance from the city to get away. Th...
Things to do in the area
Sunnypark Fun Park
Langebaan on the West Coast is a fun destination that’s known for watersports, thanks to its stunning lagoon. Sunnypark is here too and offers wa...
Die Strandloper Restaurant
Just 125km up the Cape West Coast you will find Die Strandloper, an open air, very casual restaurant with sand underfoot, blue skies above, and a...
Fly a Kite on the beach
Replace tension with line-tension. Substitute skyscrapers for sky. Exchange attitude for altitude. Swap work for a play. Recycle hot air for a co...
Sail a Hobie Cat
Once you've chosen the Cape West Coast as your holiday destination and booked your accommodation in Langebaan, you will be looking for things to ...
Windsurfing on the Langebaan Lagoon
The Langebaan Lagoon on the Cape West Coast is a favourite with locals, offering some of the best windsurfing in South Africa. Langebaan offers i...
Boesmanland Plaaskombuis
Boesmanland Plaaskombuis enjoys a stunning location on the picturesque lagoon, and offers an impressive feast in hearty South African portions, s...
Pearly's on The Beach
Pearly's Restaurant was founded in 1993 by Jan Warmerdam. Jan came to Langebaan to retire, however his entrepreneurial spirit was stirred by a sm...
The Farmhouse Restaurant
The combination of fine dining and select wines are two of the greatest pleasures in life, encouraging good times, fond memories, love and laught...
Langebaan Golf Course
Spend some time on the golf course at the Langebaan Country Club and see if you can get a hole in one!This course is a links-type course and was ...
Noteworthy attractions
Bird Island Nature Reserve
The world’s most accessible Cape gannet colony can be found on an island, linked to Lambert’s Bay by a breakwater wall. Bird Island also gives sh...
Darling Wine Route
Although traditionally part of the Swartland, Darling is now a demarcated wine district and home to her own wine route, including five wine cella...
West Coast National Park
Just inland from the secluded harbour of Saldanha Bay one finds the azure waters of the Langebaan Lagoon, focal point of the West Coast National ...
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Rocherpan enthusiasts who head off along the West Coast to visit this nature reserve near Velddrif will possibly mention to you that the bird lif...
Langebaan Golf Club
The Golf Course at Langebaan Country Club is a links-type course, designed as a figure 8 winding around residential stands. Located on the unspoi...
Verlorenvlei
Verlorenvlei is a long estuary stretching between the villages of Elands Bay and Redelinghuys, some 25 kilometres south of Lambert’s Bay. It is n...
West Coast Fossil Park
For the visitor, the highlight of the West Coast Fossil Park is the ‘live’ exhibit of an ongoing excavation of early Pliocene fossils (fossils fr...
Postberg Flower Reserve
The Postberg Flower Reserve is not always available for you to visit. Even though it forms part of the West Coast National Park, this part of it ...
Darling Wind Farm
On the hills just outside Darling, roughly 70 kilometres from Cape Town, stand four wind-generated mills. It's known as an Eskom demonstrator sit...
Accommodation near Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation / Cape West Coast Accommodation