Rocherpan Nature Reserve’s Phase 2 accommodation follows in the gentle footsteps of its Phase 1 development predecessor. While increasing the offering to guests visiting the reserve, Phase 2 also includes upgrades to the rainwater harvesting system and provision for universal access – all while maintaining a sensitive ecological footprint.
Reserved for nature
The heart of the 930ha Rocherpan Nature Reserve – the seasonal pan – is usually dry between March and June, and originally formed when farmer Pierre Rocher closed off the mouth of the Papkuils River in 1988, forcing the water to flow behind the dunes, thus creating a buffer between the sea and strandveld. The strandveld, which is endemic to the Western Cape coastal areas, is an endangered species and one of CapeNature’s priorities is to protect this precious part of the West Coast’s natural heritage.
The reserve was relatively unknown until it was earmarked for redevelopment by CapeNature, which completed the Phase 1 development on an existing site within the reserve in 2012. Rocherpan’s unique location, its untouched stretch of coastline and its abundance of natural birdlife, as well as its unmatched beauty, makes it an attractive location for local and international tourists.
Tourism manager Ramese Mathews says Rocherpan signified “a good candidate for investment”, and a great opportunity to bring people closer to nature.
