The Outeniqua is also the land of beer and honey, as all of South Africa's hops are grown in two small catchments in this area. Rainfall on the top of the Outeniqua averages 900 mm per annum while rainfall in the Klein Karoo is less than 300 mm making the mountains an important source of water in the arid rain-shadow of the Klein Karoo.

The Outeniqua loses 6% of its water to invasive alien trees. One WWF project in that area has already released a billion litres of water back into the system by clearing these thirsty trees.

• Land cover: 3 005km²
• 33% protected