Before Kleinmond is reached the road passes Elephant Rock Estate, a protea farm which derives its name from a huge rock high up int he mountain.

Kleinmond in Sandown Bay is a holiday resort 3km beyond the bridge over the Palmiet (bulrush) River.  The name is derived from the fact that the resort is located at a  small mouth of the lagoon of the Bot River.  The origins of the settlement, which has a fishing harbour and permanent population of more than 2000 go back to 1929 when the Revd P K Albertyn of Caledon built the first holiday cottage.

* The 650ha Kleinmond Coastal and Mountain Reserve stretches eastward from the Palmiet River and has more than 1200 species of coastal and mountain fynbos, a milkwood scrub forest and some 40 other tree species.  An 8km walk leading to tidal pools and inlets with a wealth of marine life also gives access to several trails through the reserve.

* Among the famous who had a holiday cottage at Kleinmond was Afrikaans author D F Malherbe, who used the area as a setting for his best known novel, Hans die Skipper.

HANGKLIP / KLEINMOND

(Including Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Rooiels)

Kleinmond

This popular holiday resort at the mouth of the Bot River, lies on a narrow coastal belt bordered by fynbos-clad mountains and the sea. For two centuries the area was the hideout of outlaws, runaway slaves and criminals. The rocky bays and sandy beaches offer excellent fishing opportunities. The area falls within South Africa’s first biosphere reserve, which stretches from Gordon’s Bay to the eastern shores of the Bot River Lagoon. Within a 5 km radius one finds every type of natural habitat that exists elsewhere in the Western Cape – sea, beach, dune and rocky seashore, and tidal estuaries. The mountains offer many hiking trails, leading to waterfalls, caves and forests, where the watchful observer may discover the rare strawberry rain frog, marsh rose, the endangered geometric tortoise and even encounter the elusive leopard.

Betty’s Bay

Located on the whale route, was founded in the 1930’s by a consortium consisting of Arthur Youlder, Jack Clarence and Harold Porter. Today Betty’s Bay is a popular resort town, with holiday homes strung along the coastline.

Pringle Bay

Was named after Rear-Admiral Thomas Pringle, British naval commander during the first British occupation of the Cape in the late 18^th century. In 1809 the port was developed to enable farmers to ship their produce across False Bay to Simon’s Town. It boasts a picturesque beach. Parts of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve surround the town and offers numerous nature walks.

Rooiels

Lies at the mouth of the Rooiels River, named for the red alder trees that early explorers found growing on it’s banks.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Betty’s Bay 11 km, Botriver 21 km, Caledon 44 km, Grabouw 44 km, Hermanus 40 km, Stanford 63 km.

Altitude: 10 m

Average Temperatures

Summer 23°c; winter 17 °c

Average Rainfall - 939 mm – May to October

Mountains

Palmietberg Mountains (part of the Kleinmond Coastal Reserve). KOgelberg (part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve).

Rivers

The Palmiet forms part of the Palmiet Lagoon and is located near Kleinmond where it flows into the sea. During the winter months when the rainfall is high, one can do white water rafting on the river. The Bot River forms the Bot River Lagoon, located en route from Kleimond to Hermanus. South Africa’s only herd of wild horses (in a wetland habitat) are found in this area. The Rooisand Nature Reserve includes a part of the lagoon.

Dams

Buffels River Dam

Banks

Absa, Boland PKS, Standard, FNB, ATM’s 2

HISTORICAL VIEW

The first house built in kleinmond can be seen near the Beach Hotel. This thatched roof house overlooking the sea and lagoon was built by the Albertyn family in 1861. The second and third holiday homes built in Kleinmond were erected near Palmiet beach in 1899 and 1912. unfortunately one of these was recently destroyed by fire.

Commemorative Cross

The cross on Palmiet beach commemorates those who drowned when the Norwegian ship the Gustav Adolf sank in 1902.

De Grendel

Wrecked at Hangklip in 1673.

DF Malherbe’s House

(Hans Die Skipper)

Home of well known Afrikaans author and poet.

Library

The tapestry, which hangs in the entrance hall, depicts the early history of Kleinmond

NATURE

Flora

The Hangklip / Kleinmond area has one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world, home to over 1500 indigenous plant species, many of which are unique to the area.

Kleinmond Coastal and Mountain Reserve

Lies to the west of the town and stretches deep into the mountains. Swimming and canoeing are allowed on the Palmiet River.

Coastal Walk

This trail runs along the rocky shore from near the hotel to the harbour. Interesting coastal flora and dassies sunning themselves can be seen.

Accommodation in and around Kleinmond