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Dana Bay Conservancy

Posted by Liezel on Tue March 28, 2023 in Nature .
Dana Bay Conservancy, Nature conservation, Bio Diversity, Garden route, Mosselbay nature, South Africa

Erika27 Bed & Breakfast overlooks the glorious Dana Bay Conservancy - a hidden gem nestled along the Garden Route of South Africa.

Visitors who are looking for a unique and spectacular natural experience should not overlook this area. It is a natural sanctuary for a multitude of plant and animal species that are endemic to this particular region.

Conservation status was given to Dana Bay on 27 May 1998. Town buildings were erected and designed around the dispersion of Fynbos seeds and the known movement of the animals so as not to infringe on or disrupt nature. All the animals in the conservancy are protected, and visitors are requested to take extra care when driving in Dana Bay, to ensure they do not injure any animals accidentally.

In this article, we thought we’d take some time to explore the fauna and flora indigenous to the Dana Bay Conservancy and why it is a special attraction for visitors travelling the Garden Route.

A wide variety of Fynbos and unique flower species call Dana Bay home, such as the Eulophia speciosa, Gloriosa superba and Crinum moorei. Image courtesy of Marius Müller.

 

The Natural Landscape of Dana Bay Conservancy
 
The Dana Bay Conservancy, located in Mossel Bay, is a place where animals have the right of way and where the local community works tirelessly to protect and conserve the local fauna and flora. Bushbuck, Grysbok, mongoose, and Cape Spur Fowl roam freely in Dana Bay due to its conservancy status, and the prolific bird life, which includes a colony of black oyster catchers and over 85 other bird species, adds to the tranquillity and beauty of the coastline and incredible views of beach and horizon.

Witnessing the African Black Oyster Catcher at Dana Bay beach is a rare treat, as there are only approximately 6,700 of these birds remaining in the wild.
 
Many bird species live along the rocky coastline, including cormorants and gulls. Visitors who are lucky enough may even see the elusive African Paradise Flycatcher, a bird species known for its bright green plumage and distinct call.
 
The high rate of endemism adds to the uniqueness of this level of biodiversity. A plant species, such as fynbos, is considered endemic if it grows nowhere else in the world except in a specific geographic location. This is true for approximately 70% of the fynbos species in the Cape Floral Kingdom. The fynbos attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, insects, and birds with long beaks like the Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, and African Fish Eagle. The Cape Sugarbird can visit over a hundred plants per day, which greatly aids fynbos pollination.

 
Dana Bay Conservancy's fauna is equally diverse, with several animal species making their home here with us. The Southern Right Whale, which migrates to the area during the winter months to calve and mate, is one of the most iconic animals in the area. Visitors can see these majestic creatures from the comfort of the shore, as the whales swim close to the coastline. Other marine life includes the bottle-nose dolphin, seals, and a wide variety of fish species.

 

A Southern Right Whale breaching out of the water. Dolphins playing in the early morning surf. Image courtesy of Oystercatcher trail.

 
The area also has a number of historical and cultural sites. It is rich in history from the Khoisan people who settled here, and archeological discoveries that date back nearly 175,000 years.

Experience the awe of standing at Point of Human Origins and visit this world renowned archaeological site with early evidence for modern human behaviour. Image courtesy of Point of Human Origins.
 
Apart from its natural beauty and diverse wildlife, Dana Bay Conservancy is a special place because of its focus on conservation and sustainability. The local community has come together to protect and preserve the area’s natural beauty, and visitors can see the results of their hard work in the well-maintained trails and pristine beaches. In addition, there are several educational programmes, which are designed to teach visitors about the area’s unique flora and fauna and the importance of conservation.

Tourism contributes to the preservation of these resources by providing financial support for conservation initiatives. Tourism can also help to protect the natural resources found in Dana Bay Conservancy for future generations by raising awareness about the importance of conservation.
 

 

Spotted Genet, Bosbok, African Porcupine and Cape Grey Mongoose. 

 
Ways to Protect Dana Bay Conservancy
 You can help protect Dana Bay Conservancy and the Garden Route in many ways. Here are just a few of them:
 
1. Be a responsible tourist. When visiting Dana Bay or any other natural area, take your rubbish with you when you leave and stick to designated walking trails.
2. Volunteer your time. There are many organizations that work to protect Dana Bay Conservancy and the Garden Route. You can help by volunteering your time to one of these groups.
3. Donate money to conservation organisations. Organisations working to protect Dana Bay Conservancy and the Garden Route rely on donations to continue their work. You can help by donating money to one of these groups.
4. Speak up for conservation. Help raise awareness about the importance of protecting Dana Bay Conservancy and the Garden Route by speaking up for conservation in your community and beyond.
 


When visiting Dana Bay please make sure to keep an eye out for 40km/h speed limit on all the residential streets, excluding Flora Road, Heide Road, and Malva Road. 


Conclusion
 
Visitors on the Garden Route should not pass up the chance to visit the Dana Bay Conservancy. With its rugged coastline, unspoiled beaches, and diverse wildlife, the area is a sight to behold that will leave visitors in awe. It is a natural haven where visitors can experience nature in its purest form, and it is a must-see for anyone traveling the Garden Route.
 
Erika27 Bed & Breakfast is perfectly positioned so that guests can easily access all amenities, eateries, and activities while still being able to enjoy Dana Bay's serene beauty. Book your stay with us today!


Animals found in Dana Bay Conservancy:

Cape Grey Mongoose: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_gray_mongoose
Cape White Eye: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_white-eye
African Black Oyster Catcher: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_oystercatcher
Southern Right Whale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_right_whale
Cape Sugarbird: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_sugarbird
Cape Spur Fowl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_spurfowl
Orange-breasted Sunbird: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange-breasted_sunbird
African Fish Eagle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_fish_eagle
African Paradise Flycatcher: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_paradise_flycatcher
Spotted Genet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genet_(animal)
Cape Bushbuck: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_bushbuck
Cape Grysbok: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_grysbok  
African Porcupine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_porcupine
Rock Hyrax: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_hyrax 
Cape Fur Seals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_fur_seal

Article resources and contributors: 

Oyster Catcher Trail | www.oystercatchertrail.co.za
Boshoff Photography | https://www.facebook.com/BoshoffPhotography
Monica Wolmerans | Image submission 
Margaret Candy | Image submission 
Willemien Stoop | Research 

Special thanks to Vincent Surics from Dana Bay Nature / Danabaai Natuur Facebook Group | https://www.facebook.com/groups/132876417212025

 

Book your stay now at Erika27 B&B.

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Dana Bay Beach. Image courtesy of Boshoff Photography. Image courtesy of Boshoff Photography. Image courtesy of Boshoff Photography. Image courtesy of Boshoff Photography. Image courtesy of Oyster Catcher Trail. Image courtesy of Oyster Catcher Trail. Image courtesy of Oyster Catcher Trail.

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