The region is arguably one of the most biodiverse areas within southern Africa with representation of six of of South Africa's seven biomes in the planning domain of the mega-reserve. It is at the convergence of two of the world's top 25 biodiversity hotspots (Cape Floristic Region and the Succulent Karoo). A further biodiversity rich area, the Subtropical Thicket Biome also converges in this area. The envisioned megareserve would thus not only conserve patterns of biodiversity for which the area is famous, but also allow for large-scale ecological processes which are essential for conservation at a landscape level. These ecological processes include altitudinal gradients, coastal inland transitions, river corridors, climatic gradients, mega-herbivore habitats, top predator-prey relationships and biome interfaces. The aim is to adequately capture the processes and through this to develop a new biodiversity economy in the region. This will require the consolidation of the current Baviaanskloof protected area and the expansion of conservation as a land-use management philosophy, to the north, east, south and west to form the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve.

But just as important as the many valid technical reasons for preserving this magical place, the Baviaanskloof contains pockets of some of the last wilderness we have left on the planet. Furthermore, it's the scope for expansion of this precious resource which is so exciting!