Wilderness areas are large tracts of land which have retained a natural character having little or no evidence of man. These areas are protected and managed in order to safeguard their virtually pristine condition. Wilderness areas are primitive and peaceful places, providing people with recreational and spiritual opportunities not often found elsewhere. These areas represent an unspoilt natural environment and are of great scientific value.

WHERE ARE OUR WILDERNESS AREAS?

In South Africa nine proclaimed wilderness areas enjoy the highest possible legal conservation status. Sections of nature reserves and national parks are also managed as wilderness areas, although not proclaimed as such. In the Western Cape, Cape Nature Conservation manages four wilderness areas which are valuable in terms of their conservation, outdoor recreation and water yielding qualities. These are the Cederberg Wilderness Area near Clanwilliam (71 000 ha); Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area near Porterville (24 000 ha); Boosmansbos Wilderness Area near Heidelberg (14 000 ha) and the Doringrivier Wilderness Area near George (10 000 ha).

WHAT MAY ONE EXPECT IN A WILDERNESS AREA?

Wilderness areas are part of our environmental heritage and are open to the public. It is, however, important to retain their essential primitive quality and for this reason visitor numbers and activities are controlled. Activities which lend themselves to the wilderness atmosphere include hiking, climbing, swimming, bird watching and photography. Hikers are not restricted to trails, in fact most areas do not have clearly laid-out trails. No specific overnight accommodation is provided, although some areas have emergency shelters. Wilderness users should be fit and adequately equipped. Visitors are expected to carry out their refuse. Fires are not permitted due to the threat of veld fires and the destruction caused by firewood gathering.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Photographs and slides were kindly given by Martin Hendricks, Derek Keats and Gavin Maneveldt and the Botany Department (all from the University of the Western Cape).

original text by: Cape Nature Conservation

website developed by: Jocelyn Collins

for further information contact the following cape nature conservation offices:

CEDERBERG: Tel: (022) 9212289	BOOSMANSBOS: Tel: (02934) 22412
GROOT WINTERHOEK: Tel: (02623) 2900/7	DORINGRIVIER: Tel: (0441) 708323/5