From February 2024, access for hiking at Phillipskop is a privilege for those who join our Friends of Phillipskop scheme and people staying in our overnight accommodation. By purchasing a Friends of Phillipskop conservation permit you are supporting the conservation work that we are doing here. Phillipskop helps to conserve over 900 species of native plants in 246ha of pristine fynbos. Many of these plant species are local endemics to the Klein River Mountains and Overberg. By protecting these we also help conserve the mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, as well as many smaller invertebrates, which rely on the fynbos and its associated wetlands, rocky peaks and streams. From the King Protea to the Annual Spike-Moss and the Cape Leopard to the tiny De Villiers Moss Frog, it is not just you who benefits from joining our Friends of Phillipskop.
As a Friend of Phillipskop, you will be able to enjoy:
- Entry to the reserve for yourself (plus another named person and guests, if using a Permit Plus or Premium Permit card) 365 days a year*
- Exclusive booking of Sundew Cabin, our mountain hut – which is reserved as a privilege for Friends of Phillipskop and others who are supporting our conservation work
If you do not join our Friends of Phillipskop, then you can still access the reserve by
- booking to stay in our self-catering accommodation,
- booking a guided walk,
- accompanying a Friend of Phillipskop with a Permit Plus or Premium Permit.
Three levels of annual conservation permits are available:
- Solo Permit – R400 – annual conservation permit provides entry for the person named on the card. The card is not transferable. Accompanying persons are only possible with a Permit Plus or Premium Permit.
- Permit Plus – R800 – annual conservation permit provides entry for up to two named people. If either named person is visiting the reserve without the other, they may bring one guest (or two children). (See also Premium Permit if additional guest options are required.)
- Premium Permit – R1250 – annual conservation permit provides entry for up to two named people plus two guests (or four children). If there is only one named person visiting the reserve, then the additional entry can be used by a third adult (or two additional children). It is also possible to purchase up to 4 day permits if extra people are required on a certain day.
Please also note the following:
- Entry hours for Friends of Phillipskop are between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Sunday* – day visitors should be off-site by 6pm, unless staying in our overnight accommodation. Hiking before 8am or after 6pm is a privilege reserved for overnight guests only.
- All Friends of Phillipskop must sign the hiking register at reception with name, car registration(s), permit number(s) and number of hikers, before setting off on their walk in the reserve on every visit. It is vital for us to know who is on the reserve and who the cars in the car park belong to at any time in case of an emergency.
- A named card holder must always be present to bring guests onto the reserve when using a Permit Plus or Premium Permit.
- Permits cannot be used for commercial purposes; additional fees cannot be charged by the person for accompanying guests.
- Swimming pool is only for use of overnight guests.
- All permits run for up to 12 months including the month in which the permit is purchased.
Permits can be purchased online below or forms for joining can be downloaded from here and e-mailed along with proof of payment to info@phillipskop.co.za.
* Please note: rights of admission reserved by management. We reserve the right to close the reserve to day visitors, charge extra for special events, or make changes to our opening times. Please check our website for up to date details.
