Enjoy the Fernkloof Fynbos Festival
The Fernkloof Nature Reserve is celebrating its 60th anniversary during the Hermanus Flower Festival from 22 to 25 September.
The reserve harbours more than 1 250 species of indigenous Fynbos species and forms part of the Cape Floristic Region at the southern tip of South Africa. Although it is the smallest of the six recognised floral kingdoms of the world, it boasts the highest concentration of indigenous plants per square metre and extraordinarily high Fynbos diversity.
The Flower Festival’s diverse programme includes the Citizen Science Walks. Participants can explore and find rare endangered species of fauna in the area, like the Drewes’ Moss Frog and Cape Dwarf Chameleon. Other creatures in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, including Grey rhebok, Cape grysbok, klipspringer, baboon, mongoose and dassie, are present in small numbers. More than 100 bird species have been recorded, including the black eagle and jackal buzzard, Cape sugar bird, sunbirds, rock thrush and rock jumper.
Family fun activities are being planned over four days to entertain all ages. Enjoy the floral displays, environmental exhibits and labelled specimens of up to 400 fynbos species indigenous to the area. Enticing products will be for sale in the marquee, all with a botanical or nature theme, including books, cards, needlework and other products with a botanical theme, including gardening pots and stepping stones made by Wheel Chair entrepreneurs. Bunches of fresh blooms will be for sale, and the nursery will offer a wide variety of indigenous plants. Linger longer and enjoy something to eat and drink at the Fynbos Cafe in the gardens.