Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve is a

protected area Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...

in the

Eastern Cape Province The Eastern Cape is one of the provinces of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are East London and Gqeberha. The second largest province in the country (at 168,966 km2) after Northern Cape, it was formed in 1994 ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

Characteristics

The Baviaanskloof - (Dutch for "Valley of Baboons") - lies between the

Baviaanskloof Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve is a protected area in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Characteristics The Baviaanskloof - (Dutch for "Valley of Baboons") - lies between the Baviaanskloof Range, Baviaanskloof and Kouga Range, Kouga mountain ...

and Kouga mountain ranges. The easternmost point of the valley is some 95 km NW of the coastal city of

Port Elizabeth Gqeberha (), formerly Port Elizabeth and colloquially often referred to as P.E., is a major seaport and the most populous city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the seat of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, Sou ...

. The Baviaanskloof area includes a cluster of formal protected areas managed by the

Eastern Cape Parks Eastern Cape Parks are the national parks, marine protected areas, nature reserves and other nature conservation areas in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) is the governmental organisation resp ...

Board totalling around , of which the most well-known is the 184 385 ha Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve - the third largest protected area in South Africa. The Baviaanskloof Forest Reserve was established in 1920. It also includes the Groendal Nature Reserve and Formosa Nature Reserve, and encompasses private land. The Baviaanskloof area is one of outstanding natural beauty, owing to its spectacular land forms, a diverse array of plants and wide variety of animals. The area is part of the Cape Floristic Region

World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...

as of 2004.UNESCO - Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
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References

External links

Friends Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area (FoBWA)

Eastern Cape Parks
Eastern Cape Provincial Parks Protected areas of the Eastern Cape 1920 establishments in South Africa Protected areas established in 1920 Albany thickets {{EasternCape-geo-stub