Klapmuts (B 16)

Name: Klapmuts

Klapmuts western cape

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Historic fact:

Other interesting info:

http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/indoors/animals-indoors/butterfly-world/

Where to stay:

Just 50 kilometres from Cape Town,Klapmutskop Renosterveld Conservancywas established in 2004 as part of CapeNature’s Stewardship Programme by the five farms that share ownership ofthe land - Delheim, Elsenburg, East Hill, Le Bonheur and Warwick. These winefarms act as curators of the conservancy and plough their efforts into protecting and conserving the area through sustainable practices. Trail Centre /STARTBIKE TRAILS 523.49m If you want to become a friend of the Klapmutskop Conservancy please contact thesecretary by email: adele@delheim.com or call +27 (0) 21 888 4615 o/h IndigenousYellowwood Forest Paarl Delvera Stellenbosch Muldersvlei Road Peppertree Le Bonheur Klapmutskop Delheim Vineyards
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[ More hidden treasures ][ A haven for the nature enthusiast ]This small area – Klapmutskop is just 150 hectaresin size – is bursting with wildlife and rare gems. Swartland Shale Renosterveld The Conservancy has one of the best examples of Swartland Shale Renosterveld, a type of fynbos that only occurs in the Western Cape lowlands and which is seriously threatened. Today, less than four percent of this unique vegetation still remains Geological Formations Klapmutskop is botanically significant because it is a meeting point for three different geological formations: Sandstone, Granite and Conglomerate(Magrug Formation). These formations support different vegetation types; Mountain Fynbos/Afromontane Forest (Sandstone), Boland Granite Fynbos (Granite) and a Mountain Fynbos-Boland Granite Fynbos mosaic (Magrug).

Flora and Fauna

You can see 23 bird species, 126 indigenousplants, at least 24 geophytic plant species (bulbs/bolplante) most of which flower during Spring,16trees and larger shrubs, plus a range of reptiles- such as tortoises, lizards and snakes - andmammals, including vlei rats, striped mice, duikers,dassies and porcupines.Dirtopia, a leading mountain bikeevent and trail building company,organises and runs all the trails atKlapmutskop. Dirtopia’s Trail Centreoffice at Delvera is open 8am-5pm,seven days a week.At the nursery, you can learnaboutthe Conservancy’s vital workwith the Millennium Seed BankProject to propagate the seedsof rare and endangered species. Klapmutskop nursery is workingclosely with CapeNature andwith the botanical gardens at bothKirstenbosch and Kew in the UK.The nursery also sells some species ofindigenous seedlings and plants.Klapmutskop Conservancy is playing its part in environmentaleducation. Over the last couple of years, it has hosted field classesand outdoor classrooms for nearly 350 children from local schools. It has also provided environmental studies training – such as alienclearing and plant identification - for over 20 previouslydisadvantaged people.The hiking trail to the top ofKlapmutskop takes about twoand half hours and is probablythe most beautiful hike inthe Stellenbosch Winelandsregion. The views areincomparable; to take inFalse Bay, Table Mountain,Paarl Rock, Franschhoekand the magnificentSimonsberg mountain inone sweep would thrillanyone.From September to April,Dirtopia also runs the popular Full Moon hikes (booking essential). Allyear round, one can enjoy the bird walk, the vineyard walk and themountain-biking trails, which are the only marked trails in Stellenbosch.Hikers and bikers pay a modest fee for their permit, of which 25% isploughed back into the Conservancy. Bikes and Nordic Walking polesare available for rental.Bring water, a hat, a lightweight jacket and walking shoes and set asideat least three hours to enjoy your visit.For more information and bookings, contactDirtopia: +27 (0) 21 884 4752 or theteam@dirtopia.co.za[ Hikes, mountain bike trails & more ]300 Year old Yellowwood Forest - Podocarpus elongatesA massive fire in 2000 and the clearance of alien trees from the slopesof Klapmutskop led to the discovery, on top of the mountain, of anindigenous yellowwood forest. The Breederiver Yellowwood trees(Podocarpus elongates), some of which are 300 years-old, representthe southernmost patch of the species. If the author Lewis Carrollhad climbed Klapmutskop, he would probably have fashioned a storyaround the forest because it’s so mystical, magical and enchanted.The old yellowwoods creak their welcome in the wind and your path isframed by archways of branches. Miraculously surviving what nature’sserved up over the years, this small indigenous forest acts as a starkreminder of why conservation is so essential.[ Securing the future ]Nature Takes its CourseIn January 2007, an intense veld fire ravagedthe south-western slopes of Klapmutskop. Thiswas the fourth fire in 64 years and it was alsothe worst. Although the Yellowwood forest wasbadly damaged, it survived. The miracle of fire isthat fynbos needs to burn in order to rejuvenateitself and for the seeds to germinate. Seedssometimes lie dormant in the soil for many yearsand it is only a veld fire that will provoke thesehidden treasures to re-sprout and flourish again. For this reason, it is very important that, after afire, visitors keep to the marked paths. The Klapmutskop Conservancy is in the processof registering as a Non Profit Organisation. Klapmutskop is a safe place to be. It is a place where the land andthe views, the animal and the plant life merge for the good of theenvironment as well as for the visitor’s enjoyment. Entry to Klapmutskop is at Delvera Agri-Tourism Centre, CornerMuldersvlei Road and R44, StellenboschYour visit to this natural wonder of the Winelands will be rewarding toyou and to the conservancy.The agri-tourism activities, together with funding from LandCare(a Department of Agriculture programme), support the KlapmutskopConservancyCAPE FOX AWARD WINNER 2007