Kagga Kamma - Aligning heritage and nature

Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve is aligning heritage and nature, with the comfort of modern life. The team at this renowned eco-destination is combining comfortable amenities with a cautious use of resources and thus making sustainable tourism fulfilling and fun at the same time.

The Reserve is located in the south-eastern part of the Cederberg, Swartruggens District of the Western Cape in South Africa. It is a place where rich heritage, both cultural and natural, is given room to simply be and rest in itself over time.

Time generally seems to have very little impact on this enclosure of phenomenal scenery with its well-known and truly picturesque formations of quartz and sandstone rocks. These are home to relicts of South African culture – up to 6000 years old rock paintings of the Khoi and San tribes, the first peoples of this country. 

Secretive is the dry mountain fynbos flora and fauna that, at first sight, might be a little reticent yet is indeed very diverse and unique as you take a closer look.

The ultimate ambition of the owners and the entire Kagga Kamma team lies in preserving the beauty of this surrounding by minimizing the impact that human interaction might have on it.

Following this ambition, the Lodge on site runs entirely and 24/7 with environmentally-friendly power from their solar photovoltaic hybrid system for which Kagga Kamma was rewarded the RCI Green Award already in 2013 at the RCI OSCAS event. Furthermore, amongst other measures, a responsible water consumption management and reduction in the use of plastic wherever possible round up the eco-friendly tourism experience.

Having that in mind, visitors can truly unwind and reconnect with themselves and nature. This reconnection might find its peak level in the stunning Star Suite pictured in the image below. Although this might be the most noticeably breathtaking spot on the premises of Kagga Kamma, it is only one of many beautiful and openly created areas that will make your stay a memorable one – sleeping under the stars.

For some more activity, the next day there are fun quad bike tours as well as guided informative walking tours on offer with skilled local guides who are happy to show guests around and experience the unique Khoi and San rock art paintings or the broad wildlife.

In between the fascinating flora of drier fynbos a wide range of birds, many reptile species as well as some antelope and other mammals can be seen. If lucky, some special sightings might include the endemic Spectacled Dormouse, Bontebok and the Cape Leopard for which Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve is a protecting habitat.

The conservation management's aim here is to provide an environment conducive to a natural breeding of these endangered species on the property whilst keeping human interference as little as possible.

Supported by ample rain and thus a life busting spring in 2020, the Kagga Kamma team efforts have been abundantly rewarded with the birth of a healthy Bontebok calf - a truly recognizable event and bright outlook on the species´ future.

These innovative conservation concepts at Kagga Kamma are brought to life through cooperation of the different management departments and involving the local community by providing job and business opportunities.

Taking into account all these different aspects and approaches makes Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve a valuable member of our PLCnetwork as we believe that conservationpreneurship is about making this reconnection of people with nature and heritage: Through conserving both for the current and future generations paired with making them accessible, understandable and present in society through guidance and storytelling.

Images provided.