The fauna of the Swartberg is also very diverse, with some species found nowhere else on earth.

Colourful lizards delight the visitor, while 11 species of snake keep you alert for these sunbathers on rocks and paths. The rarer birds include the booted eagle, martial eagle, Cape eagle owl, Victorin's warbler and protea seedeater. Sunbirds and sugarbirds, rock jumpers and black eagles are often spotted.

Mammals most likely to be seen by visitors to the Pass and mountain trails include the dassie, klipspringer and baboon, although leopard, otters, jackal, aardvark, kudu, steenbok, grysbok and grey rhebok are also present.