Koeberg Nature Reserve | |
Location: | Western Cape, South Africa |
Nearest City: | Cape Town |
Coordinates: | -33.6472°N 18.4287°W |
Area Km2: | 26.81 |
Governing Body: | Eskom |
The Koeberg Nature Reserve is located in the Western Cape province of South Africa, about 30 kilometres north of Cape Town. The reserve was proclaimed in 1991 to create a buffer zone around the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and protect the surrounding natural habitat. It is adjacent to the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve.[1]
The reserve is home to a variety of biomes including the endangered Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Atlantis Sand Fynbos biomes. Different habitat types inside the reserve include wetlands, and two aquifers; the Primary Sandveld Aquifer and the Malmesbury Aquifer.
Eight species of amphibian have been found in the reserve.
There are more than 210 species of birds identified within the reserve. A selection of birds found within the reserve:[2]
There are a number of threatened bird species found in the reserve:
Mammal species found in the reserve are:[3]
There are 40 species of reptiles found in the reserve, including threatened species Bloubergstrand dwarf burrowing skink, Gronovi's dwarf burrowing skink and the Southern adder. Most snakes found in the reserve are not dangerous, but two lethal species are also found; the Cape boomslang and Cape cobra.[4]
There are multiple length, signposted trails that traverse the reserve. The Dikkop Trail is a circular loop that ranges from 9.5 to 22.3 km. The smaller Grysbok Trail is a 5.7 km trail along the beach, past dunes and a salt pan.
There are numerous bird hides situated alongside the dams within the reserve.