Benefitting from the temperate coastal climate, completely surrounded by the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park and cradled between ocean and mountain, fynbos and forest, Nature’s Valley provides an extraordinary combination of natural splendour and rich biodiversity.
A mosaic of near-pristine coastal fynbos, magnificent Afromontane forest, pulsing estuary, dune scrub vegetation, wide beach, rugged cliffs and boundless Southern ocean supports a remarkable variety of wildlife.
At least 22 mammal and 200 bird species have been recorded. Bushbuck, Cape clawless otters, baboons, Vervet monkeys, bushpigs, Knysna Turacos, African Fish Eagles, fireflies, reptiles and frogs frequent the vicinity. Remarkable fungi colour the forest. The ocean is alive with migratory and residential marine species.
Even though this natural abundance experiences many threats associated with human habitation, these risks are mitigated by protections offered in law to the areas covered by the Garden Route National Park and the Tsitsikamma Marine Reserve.
A major contributor to the proactive maintenance of the ecological integrity of the area is the award-winning Nature’s Valley Trust. This community-based organisation is very active in the fields of conservation, education, community and research. The NVRA and the NVT collaborate closely on numerous matters of mutual importance.
Physical features & species (excerpt NVUC Resource file 2007)