The first title deeds of Altydgedacht were sighed by Simon van der Stel in 1698 and the farm was then named Tygerberg. A ‘Tyger’ was the name given to a leopard by the early Dutch settlers and the name Tygerberg comes from the ‘spots’’ one sees in the fynbos of the Tygerberg during the hot summer months. The spots are thought to be from termite mounds that give plants in that soil a different colour.

Altydgedacht has been owned by the Parker family since 1852. Five generations have maintained and developed Altydgedacht. George’s great, great grandsons, John and Oliver, continue the unbroken family tradition.

Jean Parker (mother of John and Oliver) as well as Ruth (Jean’s daughter-in-law) are very keen conservationists and Jean has played a major role in most of the conservation efforts taking place over many decades. Because of the rapid and ongoing urban development, they have set aside some 35 hectares for conservation. Part of this area has been registered as a Heritage Site since 1993.

Because of the deep soils and relatively good rainfall, there is a wide diversity of plants ranging from big old Kigelaria and Wild Olive trees, Protea, Erica, Restios and geophytes, most of which have been identified and listed by botanists like Muriel Barker, Julia Wood, Clive McDowell and many others. Lists of birds, small animals, butterflies, have also been compiled. Urban expansion, with suburban houses bordering the farm, the problem with alien vegetation has increased and annual clearing takes place, to keep the problem under control.
They are working closely with Tygerberg and Durbanville Nature Reserves and encourage educational visits from their own farm school as well as other local schools.
They are interested to pursue one of the options of the CapeNature’s Stewardship Programme and are encouraging neighboring land owners to join in a conservancy to preserve the fast disappearing Renosterveld.