Water gives us life.

At the southern tip of Africa, people and wildlife depend on an intricate water network.

 

The Nuwejaars wetlands, and the rivers and underground water arteries that feed them, are at the heart of this network.

 

A group of worried landowners and Agulhas Plain residents in South Africa saw how these wetlands started disappearing. And how nature and people suffered.

And so we formed the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area.

Today we have 25 landowners, and the town of Elim, working together over 46,000 hectares in the Plain, to protect our water systems, and the biodiversity-rich landscapes all around them. The Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area (or SMA) is a new way of protecting nature and all its complex ecosystems on private land in the Overberg municipal region.

It’s a conservation model new to South Africa.

We’ve committed to conservation and sustainable farming by signing title deed restrictions. That means that we’ll forever protect this biodiversity hotspot, while still supporting food security in South Africa through our sustainable farming. While we’ve tested the model here in the Overberg, it’s now being replicated in other parts of South Africa – with wonderful success.

CONSERVE

EDUCATE

INSPIRE

You’ve got to see this area for yourself.

If you love the outdoors, the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area offers a natural world you won’t see anywhere else. It’s a paradise for birders, with the Agulhas Plains birding project identifying 235 species. There are a range of places to overnight – from more rustic and private accommodation, to luxurious homes and cottages. The Nuwejaars Wetlands members include wineries in the Agulhas Wine Triangle.

Come and hike on the Nuwejaars Wetlands

A new walking trail has been launched on the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area. The easy 4.2km African Marsh Harrier Trail starts at Zoetendal Vineyards close to the town of Elim, and leads you through the wetlands, over the Nuwejaars River, to a number of hidden-away birding spots. And you never know what you could see along this route, including the wonderful wetlands life, such as the miniature Micro Frog. 

Tours CLOSED

 

Morning Wildlife Tour

(R450/person, and R200 for children aged 12 and under; toddlers free)

Meet at the Black Oystercatcher at 8.30am, for a 3-hour trip through the Nuwejaars Wetlands SMA, including coffee and rusks – overseen by our trained guide.

Sunset Wildlife Tour

(R500/person, and R200 for children aged 12 and under; toddlers free)

Meet at the Black Oystercatcher at 5pm, for a 3-hour trip to a lovely, secretive lake, including sundowners at this sunset viewpoint. Hippos live in this lake, and could pop by for a visit (this trip is overseen by our trained guide).

Booking is essential

  book@nuwejaars.com
  076 833 6341

Why is the Agulhas Plain so important?

The Cape Floral Kingdom covers much of the landscape around the Nuwejaars wetlands and rivers.

Highly threatened lowland fynbos grows here – home to plant species found nowhere else in the world.

This critical habitat also gives life to globally threatened birds. Birds like the Southern Black Korhaan, Secretarybird and Hottentot Buttonquail thrive here.

 That’s why the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area forms part of an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area.

The Special Management Area is the original home of the Bontebok – once nearly extinct. Now we’ve brought them back.

And we’ve reintroduced Buffalo, Hippo and Hartebeest – once extinct on the Agulhas Plain.

Conservation Highlights
Happy Marsh Harriers flock to rewilded wetlands

Happy Marsh Harriers flock to rewilded wetlands

In healthy wetlands you’ll find a healthy array of insects. These insects make great food for a healthy population of frogs. And flying over these wetlands, birds of prey such as the African Marsh Harrier feed on the frogs. 

How to get a wetland working again

How to get a wetland working again

Once upon a time, not that long ago, one of the biggest wetland systems in South Africa was covered in wall-to-wall invasive alien plants. These wetlands were degraded, and were unable to support the wildlife or the communities that live here.

Every day we ...

Protect our nature

The Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area (SMA) is found within a biodiversity hotspot – the Agulhas Plain, at the southernmost tip of Africa.

Support social wellbeing

The Nuwejaars Wetlands SMA employs seven people permanently, including two Conservation Managers and four people in our Ecosystem Services team.

 

 

Promote Tourism

The region's rare fynbos and renosterveld, and distinctive wildlife are ideal for nature lovers. The cultural heritage of the Plain is rich, with the missionary town of Elim a must-see for tourists.

 

 

 

Access our biodiversity

If we want to reach social and environmental sustainability, the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area must achieve economic sustainability.

 

Teaching about nature

School outings are now being hosted to the Nuwejaars Wetlands SMA, where children can connect with this wondrous, intricate natural world.  

 

Sustainable Agriculture

Traditionally private landowners in the Overberg have made their income from agricultural activities, like grain and livestock farming.

Donors and partners

 

To our donors over the past financial year, we are incredibly grateful. Thank you for your support, enabling us to protect this irreplaceable area, and improve lives here:

 

Donors and partners

To our donors over the past financial year, we are incredibly grateful. Thank you for your support, enabling us to protect this irreplaceable area, and improve lives here:

 

Donors and partners

To our donors over the past financial year, we are incredibly grateful. Thank you for your support, enabling us to protect this irreplaceable area, and improve lives here:

 

We work with

We work with

 

We work with

We work with