JONGENSFONTEIN
NATURE
RESERVE
The Jongensfontein Nature Reserve (JNR) is situated in the Hessequa Municipality in the Western Cape of South Africa and the Jongensfontein Inwonersvereniging (JIV) was given the mandate to look after the Reserve.
PHOTO BY STEPHANE FERRER
The Jongensfontein Nature Reserve (JNR) is known for its variety of indigenous plants, birdlife, walking paths and whale watching. The JIV invites residents and tourists to come and enjoy the Reserve and to assist in our conservation attempts to protect fynbos and other species from extinction, maintain and restore habitats, enhance ecosystem services, and protect biological diversity.
PHOTOS BY JOSEF STEYN from STILBAAI
HISTORIC OVERVIEW
The Jongensfontein Home Owners Association, on behalf of the residents, applied to the Hessequa Municipality to have Jongensfontein Erf 126 declared a Nature Reserve. The reasons for the application were due to the pristine natural environment and usage of the paths for hiking, biking and running. As a result of the application and support from Western Cape Environmental Affairs and Cape Nature, Jongensfontein Nature Reserve / Jongensfontein Natuurreservaat (JNR) was proclaimed as an Open Area Zone III Nature Reserve in a Hessequa Council meeting held on 26th June 2015
Certain preconditions were stated:
-
The Jongensfontein Home Owners (JHA) will be the Management Authority of the Nature Reserve
-
An Environmental Management Plan must be created with an Annual Plan of Operation.
-
That sole purpose for a Nature Reserve must be notarized on the Title Deed of Erf 126 Jongensfontein.
Management History:
-
The then-chair of the JHA, Mr Naas Palmer managed the JNR until 2021 when he handed over to Mr John Wills, the current chair.
-
In 2024 a group of enthusiastic conservationists created a hacking group, a bird watching group and a botany group.
-
The hacking group meets weekly to eradicate alien vegetation. The birders created a bird viewing spot with an open invitation for other birders to visit.
-
The botany group invites other interested parties to assist in identifying and mapping the biodiversity.
MAPS
Attached are maps of the paths within the Jongensfontein Nature Reserve.
Access to the entrance of the JNR is via Fonteinsingel or Skilpad Slot (A side road from Noorkapper).
If you would like to park inside the JNR, drive up Fonteinsingel, past the tennis courts, on gravel to the main entrance, and continue for about 400m to access the grass-covered parking. From there you can proceed to the bird viewing site or amble along the paths as per the map.
CONTACTS & LINKS
