Life along the Hermanus coastline, from Voëlklip and Chanteclair to Betty’s Bay and Rooi-Els, offers a lifestyle deeply connected to nature. The air is fresh with the scent of fynbos, the mountains rise dramatically above the sea and the sounds of the ocean remind us how close we live to the wild.
It’s exactly this closeness that makes these suburbs so desirable, but it also brings a shared responsibility. As humans and wildlife increasingly overlap, the line between peaceful coexistence and daily conflict has become blurred, particularly when it comes to our local baboon populations.
Understanding the Local Challenge
Baboons are a natural part of the Overstrand ecosystem and play a vital role in maintaining its balance. They disperse seeds, help new plants grow, and contribute to the diversity that keeps the fynbos thriving. But as our towns expand, and as residential areas like Voëlklip and Chanteclair grow closer to natural corridors, baboons are adapting to life on the urban edge.
In neighbourhoods surrounded by fynbos, such as Betty’s Bay and Rooi-Els, encounters are common. Homes bordered by natural vegetation, fruit trees and open waste areas present irresistible opportunities for wildlife looking for easy food sources.
Bins left unsecured, compost heaps and even bird feeders can unintentionally create new feeding zones for baboons, drawing them into spaces where they shouldn’t be. What begins as curiosity quickly turns into dependency, and this can lead to stress, property damage and conflict.
Practical Steps Toward Coexistence
Living in harmony with nature doesn’t mean giving anything up — it means living consciously. Each homeowner can help protect both their property and the wildlife that makes our coast so unique.
- Manage your household waste
Use secure, baboon-proof bins and avoid leaving rubbish outside before collection. Systems like bokashi composting help reduce waste and odour, making your home less attractive to wildlife.
- Rethink your garden
Swap fruit trees for indigenous plants that attract birds, butterflies and bees without drawing baboons. Native gardens are low maintenance, water-wise and perfectly suited to our coastal climate.
- Work together
Encourage your neighbours and body corporates to follow the same practices. One unsecured bin can attract an entire troop, so consistency across a suburb makes all the difference.
- Never feed wildlife
Even with the best intentions, feeding baboons changes their behaviour and puts them at risk. Keeping them wild is the kindest thing we can do. Small actions, applied consistently across Voëlklip, Chanteclair and Betty’s Bay, can lead to long-term positive change.
- Community and Collaboration
The EMS Foundation recently facilitated discussions on how humans and baboons interact in the Overstrand, an important reminder that cooperation is key. Solutions don’t come from one household or one suburb; they come from a united community working with conservation experts and local authorities.
As property professionals active from Hermanus through to Rooi-Els, Seeff Whale Coast recognises how much our way of life depends on preserving this delicate balance. The same landscape that attracts homeowners and investors also sustains the wildlife that has lived here long before us.
Protecting this connection not only safeguards our environment but also maintains the long-term appeal of our coastal properties and the exceptional lifestyle that defines the region.
Why It Matters
People choose to live in Voëlklip, Chanteclair, and Betty’s Bay because of the sense of space, tranquillity, and connection to the natural world. These are not just residential areas, they are living ecosystems where mountains, fynbos and wildlife coexist beside human homes.
By managing our waste, planting responsibly, and being mindful neighbours, we protect what makes this stretch of coastline so special. Sustainable living ensures that the beauty of the Overstrand endures for us and for the generations who will follow.
A Shared Responsibility
From Hermanus to Rooi-Els, residents share one incredible privilege: living where nature still thrives. With that privilege comes the duty to care to protect, preserve and coexist.
Through awareness, respect and collaboration, humans and wildlife can live side by side in harmony. This balance is what makes owning a home along the Whale Coast so meaningful, a lifestyle grounded in nature, community and care.
