Walker Bay is a picturesque, pristine reserve with an abundance of coastal and marine life. It is known as one of the best spots in South Africa to do land-based whale watching. Every year, hundreds of southern right whales gather in the sheltered bay to breed and calve their young. Best of all, wherever you walk, the scenery is stunning.
There are different sections to the reserve and the Walker Bay area, stretches from the Klein River estuary to De Kelders (the cellars/caverns) at Gansbaai. This section is about 1 000 ha in size and has a coastline of 17km and a long beach, known as Die Plaat, with white sands and rocky limestone outcrops to the east. Immediately north-west of the reserve lies the scenic Klein River lagoon which, at times, flows into the sea. The northern parts of the reserve consist of stabilised dunefields.
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Klipgat Cave (stone hole)
Walk down wooden stairs to get to the beach and then it is a short climb to the cave on the left side. It is moderately challenging and will take about 10 minutes from the top to the cave.
“Three factors made the Klipgat Cave ideal for early human habitation: the abundant shelter that the cave provided, the presence of a fresh water spring and the proximity of a constant food source – the ocean. This was hunter-gatherer paradise.
Excavations in 1969 revealed 2000 year-old pottery, stone and bone artifacts and the remains of shellfish, fish and other animals that the Khoikhoi bushman had discarded” as well as some human teeth. “The Khoikhoi (‘people people’ or ‘real people’) are a historical division of the Khoisan ethnic group, the native people of Southwestern Africa.
Sheep bones were also found indicating that they were already herding sheep at this early stage and possibly even kept dogs and cattle.”
“In … excavations conducted in 1992, stone tools, bones and human remains were discovered indicating the presence of Middle Stone Age people an estimated 70,000 years ago.” Some of the oldest domestic pottery, showing finely crafted and decorated clay pots, were found here. Other finds include many examples of shaped bone tools such as awls, “needles” and “spatulas”, as well as ornaments such as shell beads and pendants. An intact ostrich egg water flask was retrieved, as well as tortoise shells used as bowls. The site seems to have been abandoned abruptly about 1300 years ago. These findings are amongst the oldest remains of modern-looking Homo Sapiens in the world, reinforcing the theory that modern people originated in Africa before dispersing around the world.
These modern humans evolved from their archaic descendants more than 200,000 years ago and displayed distinctive anatomical, technological and cultural developments. As one of only three places in South Africa where such old remains have been excavated, Klipgat Cave is one of the most important historical sites in the Western Cape and of World Heritage significance.”
“The Khoikhoi people of the area, more accurately… the Quena people, thrived up until the 18th century when the first white settlers arrived. Around 1713, a devastating smallpox epidemic nearly wiped out the entire local population. Colonial expansion and land seizure further eroded their social structure and traditional way of life. Many became workers on farms while others were incorporated into existing clan and family groups of the Xhosa people. Their ancient fish traps known as visvywers (walls of rock packed to create tidal pools) can be seen at several sites along the coast, some of which are still in use today. In 1811, their descendants built the first permanent settlements in the area under the Milkwood trees at Stanford Cove, founding the Gansbaai fishing culture and village.”
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Vegetation in the reserve is lowland coastal fynbos, also known as strandveld, and is characterised by species such as bietou, blombos, sour fig and waxberry. Dense thickets of old milkwoods occur along the banks of the Klein River lagoon. Most of the mammals found in the reserve are shy, and you are likely to see just the tracks of Cape clawless otter, bushbuck, duiker, grysbok and steen bok are occasionally spotted. Off-shore, southern right whales occur from about August to November, while Bryde’s and humpback whales, and various dolphin species occur throughout the year. Marine fish include the sought-after galjoen, kabeljou and steenbras, which may be caught at Galjoenbank, Sopiesklip, Skeurbank and other fishing sites. The Reserve hosts numerous species of seabirds, including the striking African black oystercatcher. This species is threatened by coastal recreational activities as it breeds on beaches during the summer.
Enjoy a variety of day hikes along the coast. Angling, with a permit, swimming and picnicking are permitted, but please note that the sea can be rough and dangerous. The Walker Bay Fishing Trail provides 4×4 access to popular angling and picnic spots along Die Plaat. Making a fire, a braai and staying overnight is not allowed. Please avoid disturbing coastal birds and destroying sensitive dune vegetation.
Access Access to the Reserve is via the Fishing Trail at Stanford, De Kelders (Die Plaat) and at Uilkraalsmond. An entry permit is required and can be obtained at the gatehouses or from the Walker Bay Nature Reserve office at 16, 17th Avenue, Voëlklip during week day office hours. The Reserve is open daily between 07h00 and 19h00.