Tag Archives: Garden Route National Park

History of the Overberg and Southern Cape forests (1795-2011)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

1795-1856 Summary of this period: Apart from purely nominal protection and conservation of a desultory kind, from the 1770’s until about 1856, the forests received practically no helpful attention. The timber taken from them was extracted in an unsystematic manner by any who chose to do so. Fire also did much damage locally (Phillips, 1963). During the first British occupation (1795-1803) Plettenberg Bay was also used as a source of wood. Johan Meeding was retained in his post as Post holder of the Plettenberg Bay VOC outpost. In 1797, B. … Read the full article…

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Garden Route National Park: Day Visitor Locations

Mike Hampton Posted on by

There are now officially designated areas for day visitors in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park. DAY VISITORS The move to have designated areas was motivated by a growing number of day visitors to Wilderness.  This year alone, 71 280  day visitors (visited or entered) the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park compared to last year’s 61 770. So says Area Manager of Wilderness, Sandra Taljaard ‘we have recorded an increase of day visitors as well as campers from 2014 and thus the need to … Read the full article…

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South Africans Exploring South Africa through SANParks

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Research conducted by South African tourism in 2007 indicated some 5 million citizens had the means and the desire to travel. This led to a campaign to encourage locals to visit their country more. TRAVELLERS WANT ORIGINAL EXPERIENCES 12th -17th September: This year’s activities for South African National Parks Week will explore the Garden Route’s hidden gems ‘untouched unique places’ with local citizens. There will be guided hikes in nature – Wilderness daily activities include ‘circles in the forest hike, the Woodville Big tree hike, the Half Collared Kingfisher trail … Read the full article…

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World Ranger Day Celebrated in Harkerville

Mike Hampton Posted on by

This year’s World Ranger Day campaign was celebrated in Harkerville, Knysna. It was attended by Paddy Gordon, the Park Manager of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP). He welcomed and introduced the day as significant in the lives of rangers throughout the world. “Our work is significant and you are doing good work even against the face of opposition at times,” he encouraged rangers. Guest Speaker, Andrew Campbell, Chairperson of the African Game Rangers Association of South Africa, commemorated 32 rangers in Africa who had died in the line of … Read the full article…

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Self-Drive Tour: Knysna Forests & History

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The Knysna forests managed by the South African National Parks as part of its Garden Route National Park (GRNP) make up around 42,000 hectares of land across the coastal stretch from George to Tsitsikamma in the East. The forests which were formerly managed by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry include Farleigh, Diepwalle and Tsitsikamma are now managed under the GRNP for conservation. The forests were exploited prior to 1939 when the Government decided to close them to the woodcutters’ system. Between 1940 and 1964 the Government focused largely … Read the full article…

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R17-Million Tsitsikamma Upgrades Progressing Well

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Upgrades to the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, to the tune of +R17-million, begin in 2 weeks at the Storms River Rest Camp, Tsitsikamma. The upgrades are scheduled to start with the entrance gate and administration building. The renovation of the gate aims to introduce a far simpler structure and system for visitors entering the Park’s main gate. A temporary road was constructed recently to allow visitors to access the Park without hindrance. The gate area will be cordoned off while work on the main gate progresses … Read the full article…

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SANParks Garden Route Scores Well

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The Garden Route National Park (GRNP) team has complied fully with the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METTs). An audit conducted last quarter through an Internationally recognised tool to measure management effectiveness of protected areas (METTSs) prove SANParks is managing the GRNP effectively. The GRNP obtained an overall 77,6% with the highest scores for its planning division, research programmes, human resources, security and operations budget, income generation, education and awareness, public relations and processes. The audit revealed a weakness in risk assessments, corridor and buffer zone management. There  are necessary adjustments … Read the full article…

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Video: Wonders of the Garden Route National Park

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Along the South Coast of South Africa lies one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, home to the Garden Route National Park. A mosaic of ecosystems, it encompasses the world renowned Tsitsikamma and Wilderness sections, the Knysna Lake section, a variety of mountain catchment, Southern Cape indigenous forest and associated Fynbos areas. These areas resemble a montage of landscapes and seascapes, from ocean to mountain areas, and are renowned for its diverse natural and cultural heritage resources. Managed by South African National Parks, it hosts a … Read the full article…

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