Some rather odd properties come onto the market from time to time such as a shed in the middle of the Klein Karoo set on 1 783 hectares of land that is selling for R3,93-million.
Karoo botanical retreat priced at R3.95m
The shed is referred to as a “rustic cottage” that has a view of a plastic pipe running past the front door and a reservoir in the background.
However, the land has not been farmed for many years and according to the marketing agents from the property, Pam Golding Properties (PGP), this makes the land exceptionally valuable because of the condition of the natural vegetation.
It is just one of several properties that provide examples of South Africa’s biodiversity and according to Wayne Rubidge of PGP, the interest in conservation is growing among local and international property investors.
South Africais the third most biodiverse country in the world after Brazil and Indonesia and is recognised as having an excellent conservation history. This is particularly so in the Western, Eastern and North Cape where levels of eco-tourism are increasing rapidly.
Rubidge has some interesting properties for sale in all three provinces. For instance in the Eastern Cape’s Zuurberg Mountains, close to the Addo Elephant Park, a small undeveloped property called Free Air is for sale at R4,5-million making the air rather expensive really.
Karoo wetlands
The property is set on 578 hectares in a secluded valley with afromontane forests and old yellowwood, milkwood, Cape chestnut and sneezewood trees among others. The property has never been farmed but has continued to grow wild and unmolested for centuries.
In the large semi-desert areas of the Tankwa Karoo, near the national park, on the southern boundary of the Northern Cape is a 21 500 hectare property that is mainly desert.
In the large semi-desert areas of the Tankwa Karoo, near the national park, on the southern boundary of the Northern Cape is a 21 500 hectare property that is mainly desert.
“The opportunity of owning such a large, uncomplicated conservation space [it’s a desert after all] where rainfall seldom exceeds 250 mm a year is aimed at the intrepid investor and is on the market for just R10,5-million,” says Rubidge.
In another part of the Great Karoo, there is a wetland area with plenty of fresh water from the nearby mountains that is rich in bird and plant life. According to Rubidge this property is 1 700 hectares in extent – of which 350 ha is wetlands – is on the market for R11,2-million.
He says that the land forms part of an exciting conservation project that will eventually see species such as hippopotamus and serval being reintroduced to the area. The land has no buildings on it.
“With South Africa now a signatory to all international biodiversity agreements, the race is on to preserve the conservation value of the country and investing in conservation real estate is a growing trend among local and international investors,” says Rubidge.
He says that PGP is now assisting conservation-minded buyers identify worthy projects and assist sellers to “find new custodians for the valuable properties”.
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