Holding-Fast in the Face of Climate Change
An Experience brought to you by Guardians of the Deep and Puppet Planet
The Concept
The Cape Kelp Forest Trail (CKFT) is located on the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town, South Africa and showcases the incredible biodiversity thriving in the ocean waters of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. Following the coastal road hugging the Peninsula, this immersive Trail tracks the natural meeting point between land and sea and offers an array of diverse experiences.
Fall in love with this incredible macro algae, thriving in the cool waters just off our magnificent beaches, through artistic and educational experiences that include kelp forest exploration. Learn about the cultural heritage so strongly intertwined with this mesmerising environment, meet the protectors of this coastal habitat, and find out more about the research-based conservation of this incredible resource.
The Vision
The vision for this Trail is to highlight the importance of kelp as an ocean habitat that provides an important breeding and feeding refuge for a variety of species, showcase the vital role it plays as a beach-cast food source and the protection it provides Endangered nesting coastal birds. It is essential in the production of oxygen and as a coastal buffer zone with the ability to mitigate climate change as a carbon sink, while also being a highly sought-after resource through mariculture.
Attention will be called to this complex importance through a myriad of elements including art, conservation, culture, education, exploration, heritage, protection, research and resources.
Chosen locations and organisations along the Trail will be promoted on a dedicated website and marketed as the best options, with the best environmentally ethical approach to minimal impact exploration and experience. Booking procedures for each organisation will remain as is, adventurers will be directed from the Trail website to the collaborators page to book their experience. Each site will display geocaching boards that kelp explorers access for more information and to log their presence at the location.
We would like to offer the Trail initially as a self-drive route but will be approaching City Sightseeing Cape Town to add green spots to their already established Blue Route. In time we could explore a Camino-style experience and invest in a dedicated minibus to shuttle explorers on their journey.
The Route
The route makes use of the M3, M4, M65 and M6, traversing the Cape Peninsula in a clock-wise direction, starting and ending in the Cape Town City Centre and going as far south as the Cape of Good Hope Section of TMNP.
Immersive Experiences
The route begins by following the M3 south from Iziko South African Museum. The Sea and Us exhibit showcasing South Africa’s marine biodiversity, conservation, harvesting, living in harmony with nature and our impacts on the ocean ecosystem. Veering east at False Bay the Trail makes a stop at Kelpak, on the shores of the Capricorn Park Nature Area. Upon entering the visitor’s centre, kelp explorers are able to learn more about the harvesting process and the unique Liquid Seaweed Extract that gives Kelpak its fame. The first seaside site is reached by joining the coastal M4 to Fish Hoek Beach. This spot allows for above-water viewing of the forest as adventurers stroll Jager’s Walk to Sunnycove Station. Tracking the M4 will continue through to Glencairn, for the educational element at our community conservation and education Hub. Explorers will be able to buy CKFT merchandise and meet the conservationists and educators encouraging communities to enjoy and protect this precious habitat.
Off to Simon’s Town to experience phenomenal forest exploration and citizen science with Cape RADD. All options are run out of their Ocean Hub and include kayaking, snorkelling and SCUBA diving. Photographic opportunities continue along this beautiful stretch of rugged coastline before heading back inland and through the gates of the Cape of Good Hope Section of Table Mountain National Park for the next stop at the Buffelsfontein Visitors Centre. This stop examines the cultural heritage bound to the Great African Sea Forest and looks at early human life on the Cape Peninsula.
Upon exiting the fenced section of the Park, the journey continues along the M65 with a delicious stop, at Veld & Sea, nestled between the sweet-smelling fynbos at the foot of the majestic Klaasjagersberg. Close by, in the wilds of Red Hill, you can treat yourself to a skincare experience at Wild Body Care. The protectors of the TMNP MPA, the Marine Unit, are based at the Trail’s next stop, the colourful kelp forest mural at the end of Lighthouse Road in Kommetjie. Meet the incredible Marine Rangers who dedicate their lives to ensuring the safeguarding of this magnificent ecosystem. Along the Kommetjie coastline “Kelpies” will be able to experience musical storytelling with Pedro the Music Man as they forage for dry kelp, craft instruments and learn how to play local and international songs.
Heading north-west along the M6 will take explorers to the immersive art experience at Sitting Duck Studios in Noordhoek. Spend time in the cosy stone cottage while creating beautiful kelp forest-inspired artworks. The expedition then heads along one of the world’s most spectacular ocean drives, Chapman’s Peak, and down into Hout Bay to explore the deeper waters of the Benguela Upwelling System, and to witness the incredible humpback whale supergroups feeding in this nutrient-rich environment, with Captain Jack’s. Sweeping ocean views abound as explorers begin to venture north along the route cut into the rocky ravines above crashing waves, ending their own journey from distant storms.
Our last experience is an opportunity for a self-guided snorkel in the protected cove of the Oudekraal No-Take Zone will afford adventurers an experience in the crystal clear, albeit chilly, waters of the Atlantic Seaboard with majestic rays and curious shysharks. Following the M6 will end this epic Trail and take the kelp forest explorers back to Cape Town City Centre and the Iziko Museum.
