Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Western Cape Province, within 40 km from Cape Town. This first South African biosphere reserve covers 103,629 hectares, where more than 80% consist of mountainous landscape with high mountain peaks and deep valleys to gentle hills and lower mountain slopes. The remaining area is made up of a gently rolling coastal plain as well as a marine part that covers some 24,500 hectares. The coastline is mostly rocky with some sandy beaches and estuaries. It is the floristic heart of the smallest of the world’s floral kingdoms (Cape floral kingdom) and it provides habitat for approximately 1,600 plant taxa of which an estimated 150 taxa are endemic to the area and characteristic of the Fynbos biome. The marine environment is part of the warm temperate south coast, and is subject to nutrient- upwelling events that support a highly productive and diverse marine community. Main economic activities in the area include deciduous fruit farming, wine production, flower production, fruit processing, commercial plantations of pines, and tourism. Tourism, specifically eco-tourism, has the potential of becoming one of the major economic activities in the region, with some 60,000 people visiting the area during the holiday season. Environmental education for school children and students is provided in the region. A private non-profit company, that is steered by a board of directors, manages the biosphere reserve. All stakeholders in the region can become members of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve Company and thus have an input into the actions of the company.
Kogelberg Nature Reserve is considered by many to be the most beautiful of CapeNature’s protected areas. Its exceptional diversity and quality of fynbos means it is also considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom! Considered by many to be the most beautiful of Cape Nature’s protected areas, Kogelberg Nature Reserve earns that reputation largely to the fact that it occupies an area with minimal human interference. Its exceptional diversity and quality of fynbos means it is considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The reserve presents perhaps the finest example of mountain fynbos in the Western Cape and is a world-renowned World Heritage Site.
At Kogelberg, a sensitive core of 18 000 ha of the reserve has been kept pristine and wild. Here there is much biological diversity and conservation is the priority. Only activities which do not adversely affect natural processes and wildlife are allowed!
If you have driven along the R44 between Rooiels and Kleinmond, you would have marveled at the beauty of the Kogelberg. The reserve’s pristine beauty abounds all year round – during the blazing heat of summer when green is not what you expect, or in rains and mists of winter when torrents of water cascade down rock faces that were bone dry only weeks before. The whole area is inspirational and one of more than 400 biosphere reserves worldwide. Kogelberg was South Africa’s first registered biosphere reserve and it encompasses the entire coastal area from Gordon’s Bay to the Bot River vlei, and inland to Grabouw and the Groenland Mountain.

Founded as a Missionary Station in 1826, King William’s Town later (after 1835) served as a military headquarters for British Kaffraria and as a centre for German settlement, before officially becoming a Town in 1861.

It was named for the British King William IV. The Town has a large textile mill and tannery and is Nationally known for its many excellent Schools. Its Kaffrarian Museum is considered to have the best collection of African mammal specimens in the World. Considered to be one of the most interesting towns to visit in the region, along with Grahamstown.

About 50 km West of East London, King William's Town is renowned for its beautiful stone buildings, many of which date back to the Frontier wars. King Williams Town has a number of interesting Museums - One of which houses the body of Huberta the hippo who walked some 1500 kilometers across KwaZulu Natal to the Eastern Cape in the early 1900’s and the Amathole Museum has the biggest collection of mammals in Africa. King Williams town is also associated with political unrest during the apartheid era.

Inextricably linked with Bisho - the two are regarded as one - because of its part in recent freedom liberation, King William’s Town is closely tied to Steve Biko, leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, whose grave is just outside Ginsberg and is now a Garden of Remembrance.

Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki hail from the area (it is just a short trip along the N2 to Umtata) and many tourists now follow the Nelson Mandela Route, which starts in King William’s Town, to Umtata and the Nelson Mandela Museum.

Today King William’s Town is the administrative capital of the Eastern Cape. The Town is worth visiting for its natural beauty. The botanical gardens are renowned and Jacarandas that line the streets come into flower in spring. Nearby are the Rooikrans and Maden Dams, which serve as great places to fish and pursue water sports and, should you be attempting the 100 km Amatola Hiking Trail, the Town is only 22 km from its start and serves as an ideal base.

The small, picturesque village of Botrivier lies in the foothills of the Houw Hoek Mountains, en route to Hermanus. The Bot River, after which the hamlet is named, meanders its way through a fertile valley surrounded by mountains covered in fynbos, historical wine farms and fields of wheat. A place of crossing in the Bot River originally served as a spot for bartering butter with the Khoi-khoi tribes and the river was attributed with the name ‘butter’ from both sides - the Afrikaans word for butter is ‘botter’ and the Khoi-khoi called it ‘Couga’, which means ‘lots of butter’. The name stuck and today this river flows through the town into a large lagoon, which forms a marsh at its mouth. These wetlands are home to thousands of waterfowl and one of the only remaining herds of wild horses is said roam the area. Botrivier has a tradition of accommodating travellers. The Bot River Hotel was probably built in the 1890s and today serves as a drop-off point for the Baz Bus shuttle - a hop on and off backpacker shuttle that offers travellers of all ages a way to explore South Africa.
A whole generation of South Africans were introduced to the town of Botrivier as the setting for their favourite TV series - ‘Nommer Asseblief’ (number please) and visitors used to insist on seeing the telephone exchange and meeting the characters from the soapie.
Close to Kleinmond and Walker Bay, Botrivier is ideal for travellers who want to escape the throngs during whale watching season, but remain in the vicinity for easy access. Botrivier is a haven for nature lovers, wine tasters and artists, and the sheer tranquillity of the setting means a complete escape from it all.

Steenbras Nature Reserve includes: The well-known Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools Hiking Trail. These are very popular destinations for abseiling, kloof jumping and swimming in the rock pools. The Danie Miller Hiking Trail and the Klipspringer Hiking Trails- ''Can also be investigated in Further Reading!' 

Other activities enjoyed along the beautiful coastline include: whale watching, scenic drives and coastal fishing. The Steenbras Nature Reserve forms part of the greater Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. The area is often referred to as ‘the heart of the fynbos.’ With more than 1 600 plant species, it boasts the greatest floral diversity per unit area than anywhere else in the World. The Area supports five different vegetation types and is regarded as one of the World’s biodiversity hotspots. The Area was originally proclaimed as  protected in 1979 and was registered with UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1998 and declared an Area of international importance. The Area was declared as Steenbras Nature Reserve, according to the National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act, 2003 on 15 September 2017. The City of Cape Town’s portion of the protected environment is more than 8 500 hectares in extent! Opening hours Office hours 07:30 – 16:00 Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail bookings: Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30 – 14:30

Somerset West accommodation ranges from romantic guesthouses to self-catering apartments. It is situated in the Hottentots Holland area, which is right in the heart of the Cape Winelands.
Somerset West is situated in the Hottentots Holland area, about a 30 minute drive from Cape Town along the N2 (national road). Close to Stellenbosch, this residential centre has a delightful setting and many of Somerset Wests residents commute to Cape Town daily.
Somerset West was named after an English governor of the Cape Colony during the 1800s, Lord Charles Henry Somerset, with the suffix 'West' being added to differentiate it from Somerset East, another South African town in the Eastern Cape.
Somerset West lies within easy reach of several beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean and lying within False Bay. The nearest, the beach at Strand, approximately 6 km from the centre of the town, is popular with families and holidaymakers.
Somerset West is home to the wine farm, Vergelegen, an impressive 18th century farmhouse built in Cape Dutch style. The farm is now owned by a subsidiary of the large mining company Anglo American, who have restored the farmhouse to its original magnificence and continue to produce some of South Africa's best wines there.

A popular Christmas tradition that has been held annually for the past 20 years at Vergelegen is "Candles By Candlelight". Visitors are invited to bring a picnic basket, blanket and torch and celebrate the joy of Christmas with family and friends on the sprawling lawns of this magnificent wine farm.
Another Christmas tradition, Somerset West is known for its annual display of Christmas lights along the Main Road. Every year people come from all over the country to drive slowly down the Main Road to see the brilliant display of glimmering lights, bells, angels, reindeer, candles and a lot more! The Helderberg Lights Festival (also known as the Strawberry Festival) traditionally complements these lights when the Main Road is closed off in the evening, and floats, parades and flea market stalls are lined up under the lights. A wonderful outing for the whole family!

Adams College is a Public School situated in Adams Mission which is 8 km inland from Amanzimtoti and 35 km South of Durban. Established in 1853, Adams College is the second oldest Institution for Africans in South Africa. For nearly 160 years Adams College has produced an impressive list of former students who have gone on to become icons in the fields of education, politics, business and have helped liberate and develop Africa. Adams College is a former Mission School originally founded by Dr Newton Adams from the American Board of Missions. It was first named; 'Amanzimtoti Institute' and it was later named after him in the 1930's. During the implementation of Bantu Education from 1953, its name was changed to Amanzimtoti Zulu Training School. Its name was reverted to Adams College after the abolishment of Bantu Education. Adams College provided Africans with an opportunity for gaining a good standard of Education. It was the first College to offer the matric syllabus. An art degree, building diploma and teachers training course were also offered.
In 1922 Inkosi Albert Luthuli became the first African to be employed on the teaching staff at Adams, teaching isiZulu and Music and later being put in charge of school organization.
In 1925 Z.K. Matthews was the first African to be appointed head master of the high School with white staff under him.
In 1925 Robbins Guma was made a member of staff at the teachers’ training school; he was later to be the first African to act as the head of the training college of African teachers
Adams College was amongst the first African schools to: • Introduce co-education (education for both boys and girls in 1910); • Teach mathematics and science to Africans; • Provide matriculation and post- matriculation courses (1931); • Introduce sport development programme; • Give responsible posts to Africans.
There mission is to become the preferred educational institution for learners from all walks of life, irrespective of race, religion, culture or creed, with the best academic and extracurricular facilities and resources and to excel in administration and management. Adams College upholds the established values of truthfulness, humility, Faithfulness, Realness, Responsibility, Hard work and going the extra mile to “Arise and Shine”.

The oldest foreign Mission Society in America, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, was formed in 1806 with the main goal of spreading Christianity to the ‘heathen lands’. The American Board, found its strongest supporter to be the Congregational Church. The Board employed many qualified men and women to work in religious educational, publishing, industrial and medical fields. In 1835 the first American Board missionaries arrived in South Africa with the aim of bringing ‘to the native people of South Africa knowledge and the Christian religion.
In 1834 Dr Newton Adams, a medical missionary and his wife embarked upon their missionary endevour. They sailed from Boston, the head office of the American Board, along with five other Missionaries and their wives. The Missionaries were part of a contingent which was divided into two groups. Three missionaries known as the maritime group were sent to the Coast to Dinganes people near Port Natal. They were Newton Adams, Aldin Grout and George Champion.
After spending sometime in the Cape learning the Dutch language, Dr Adams and Mrs Adams and the other missionaries arrived in Port Natal in 1835. The inland mission did not last long as it faced many mishaps such as illness and unrest. Dr Adams’ maritime group, were more successful. It was not long before Adams had a school of 50 pupils and a Sunday congregation ranging from 200 to 1500. As early as 1836 a Grahamstown trader, who visited Natal said: ‘A school for girls has been established by Dr Adams, in which were 29 scholars, all neatly clothed in cotton dresses. Some were employed at needlework and others learning to read”. The missionaries now turned their attention to Natal, where Adams had established a station in 1836.
In 1843 the British Government took control of Natal. This gradually allowed for mission work to become firmly established. In 1847 Dr Adams moved from Umlazi and went to Amanzimtoti, about 22 miles down the coast from Durban, and started a new mission station. He made this decision because his congregation was moving there and because Amanzimtoti was the centre of a large population. At this time the first convert, Umbalasi, a Zulu woman, was accepted into the Church by Adams. Dr Adams started by teaching black people the English language and his wife held meetings for women and taught them how to sew, cook and take care of their children according to the western way of life.
At Amanzimtoti, Adams seemed to become popular among the local people, he was given a Zulu name which meant ”the man with three coats”. This name referred to the white overall which he wore as a doctor, the black frock coat in which he took services and short lumber jacket which he wore when chopping down trees. At this mission Adams built a residence that carried his name, and which remained on the mission grounds until it was pulled down in 1958. Dr Adams died in 1851, and so not to lose the benefits of the work he had done, the American Board sent Rev. Rood to Amanzimtoti in 1853 with the express object of opening up a School.

Rooi Els perches like a child's puzzle piece on the edge of Route 44, the first little seaside village after leaving Gordon's Bay, before the landmark Hangklip rock face. Rooi Els (sometimes spelt Rooiels or Rooi-Els), like its neighbours Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond, borders the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, forming part of the larger Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. The smallest of these towns, Rooi Els (Red Alder) is also a registered conservancy in its own right, the beauty of the environment devotedly preserved by its residents.
The town is not all that big, the roads narrow and untarred, no street lights to mar the night sky. The top end of Anemone Street acts as something of a 'town square' - the Rooi Els Grill, Eco Centre, coffee shop and café a welcome to visitors. The residential part of town winds along a couple of streets that are set closer to the shore. Homes vary from little seaside cottages to the more ostentatious beachside manor.
Rooi Els does not boast a long strip of sandy beach for its angular nature means that the little town is surrounded on three sides by water. To the east is the Rooi Els River estuary that drains into the sea after flowing under the bridge that carries Route 44 across it. It is a beautiful beach to walk on, swim in and dive and boat from, and sunsets here are notorious. It also functions as an excellent whale watching site during winter.
Birders, love Rooi Els for the endemic Cape Rockjumper, Rock Thrush and other unusual birds, and residents even claim to have seen the odd Leopard on their roads on a moonlit night. On the north bank of the Rooi Els River, roughly a kilometre from the sea, is the Rooiels Cave where Stone Age relics have been uncovered.

Kleinmond is within easy driving distance from Cape Town, along the scenic coastal road known as R44 or Clarence Drive, Kleinmond is a peaceful little village endowed with some of the coast’s most natural beauty. It lies within the UNESCO declared Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, which supports over 1600 species of fynbos, of which 150 are endemic. The biosphere also has three areas of relic indigenous forest; similar to the celebrated Knysna forests, and provides nature lovers with numerous hikes offering solitude and remarkably unspoilt stretches of wilderness with rugged kloofs, valleys and several mountain peaks. One might catch sight of the rare Strawberry Rain Frog, March Rose proteas, exotic birds - particularly in the wetlands of the lagoon - otters or even a leopard, if one is lucky.
Despite its beauty and relative peacefulness, Kleinmond is the largest of the four coastal towns that fall within the biosphere and as such, serves as a commercial centre for the Hangklip-Kleinmond area. Traditionally a retirement village, the town comes alive during holiday season and is renowned for large numbers of lobster in summer and whale watching in winter.
Visitors to Kleinmond have access to safe swimming in lagoons, walking, hiking, bird watching, a black water river, caves and exciting rocky tidal pools; there is even a golf course for avid followers of the sport. The beach here, although not great for swimming, is perfect for fishing.
Kleinmond is reputed to be home to the country’s only herd of wild horses that live in the wetland close to the mouth of the Bot River. They are said to have been abandoned by a British garrison after World War II and roam the flats and river estuary as they please. A little further along the coast, in Bettys Bay, is the Harold Porter Botanical Garden - a beautiful and secluded garden of some 10 hectares that represent the local environment by including elements of wetland, fynbos, forest and coastal vegetation and is really worth a visit.
Hermanus, where some of the world’s best land-based whale watching is possible, is only 20 minutes’ drive from Kleinmond. Adventure, in the form of abseiling, climbing, dune surfing or river rafting is all part of the enjoyment of staying in this delightful little town.