Van Staden’s Wild Flower Nature Reserve, is a 600 hectare “floral wonderland” reserve and is located 35km from us at Dempsey’s Guest House, Port Elizabeth, bisected by the N2 Port Elizabeth to Cape Town highway. The Reserve was founded in 1951 which makes it the oldest wild flower reserve in the country. It is maintained by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and improvements are initiated and supported by the “Friends of Van Staden’s Volunteers”. The reserve is a forest biome, one of five biomes found in our city. The forest biome is found along the southern coastal belt of Nelson Mandela Bay on south facing slopes. The prime purpose of the Reserve is to protect and propagate the unique indigenous flora. Visitors are encouraged to explore and enjoy the extraordinary diversity and splendour of the natural fynbos, succulents and other indigenous flora. Mountain bikers are welcome to explore the plateau section of the reserve. There are a number of flat gravel roads, which are ideal for exploration on a mountain bike. The area provides ideal riding terrain for the novice mountain biker or the family on a cycling outing, during which time indigenous flora can be appreciated. The Reserve is open daily from 08h00 till 17h00 and offers two walking trails and picnic sites. Free entry. Tel: (041) 956 0155, Environmental Conservation Division. Nelson Mandela Bay is the “5 Biome City” , it is the meeting point of 5 of the 7 South African Biomes, namely the Thicket, Grassland, Nama-Karoo, Fynbos and Forest Biomes. What is a biome? A biome is a broad classification of vegetation according to the kinds of plants that occur in the area, which is influenced by factors such as soil and climate. Info taken from “Friends of Van Staden’s” pamphlet as well as from the Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism map: “Nelson Mandela Bay Biomes” Friends of Van Staden’s Volunteers: friendsofvanstadens@gmail.com http://www.nmbt.co.za/listing/van_stadens_wild_flower_reserve.html http://www.pembba.co.za/listing/van_stadens_wwild_flower_reserve How to get there: http://www.pembba.co.za/listing/van_stadens_wwild_flower_reserve Contact: http://www.nmbt.co.za/enquire/van_stadens_wild_flower_reserve.html 
