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
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Additional Reading
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In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Cape West Coast
Florence Guest House
Located in Langebaan, 6.5km from the Golf Course and 22km from West Coast Fossil Park, Florence Guest House provides self catering accommodation ...
Crystal Lagoon Lodge
Crystal Lagoon Lodge rests on a fynbos-sheltered dune only a few feet from the ocean's frame. Extraordinary beautiful sea views from the highest ...
Ellefsen 106
Perfectly situated in the secure Ellefsen Golf Estate and within walking distance of the swimming clubhouse, Ellefsen 106 provides accommodation ...
A Touch of Bushveld by the Sea
A Touch of Bushveld by the Sea is a private and quiet self-catering holiday apartment in Langebaan set on a smallholding in the heart of Long Acr...
Ellefsen 135
Ellefsen 135 provides accommodation for four guests. The holiday apartment is well suited for a family holiday and is within walking distance of ...
Le Mahi Guest House
If you are looking for that little something more special, you will find it at Le Mahi Guest House in Langebaan. Le Mahi Guest House offers rooms...
Vintage Queen Caravan
A cute romantic little vintage caravan, nicely decorated with a vintage feel. It is ideal for that guest who only needs a one-night stay (or more...
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
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