City nature reserves
A visit to our
nature reserves and other natural areas will take you through our network of beautiful flora and fauna and allow you to get close to nature. Our reserves also offer the opportunity for environmental education and plenty of outdoor fun.
Nature reserve activities
The City’s nature reserves protect and conserve our natural areas and biodiversity heritage. Most of these reserves conserve unique biodiversity that may only be found in Cape Town. They are an integral part of our
Biodiversity Network.
Visit our listing page to find a nature reserve in your area and enjoy the scenery and outdoor activities on offer.
Our outdoor activities include the following:
- Picnics
- Walks
- Bird watching
- Fishing
- Hikes
- Trail running
- Mountain biking
- Surfing
- Boating
- Sailing
- Sandboarding
- 4x4 off-road driving
Some of our reserves also have overnight accommodation, conference facilities and
Environmental Education Centres.
Find your favourite reserve
Visit our
nature reserves listing page to find a reserve near you. Information about our reserves, along with location map and contact details, can be found in our
Nature Reserves Pamphlet – easy to download and print. You can also download our
Natures Reserves Booklet for an introduction to Cape Town’s amazing plants and animals, our conservation challenges and successes, and an overview of each reserve.
For provincial and national reserves in Cape Town and the Western Cape, please visit the following websites:
If you’re interested in how we manage our reserves, take a look at our reserve management plans and maps in
environment reports and publications.
Biodiversity areas
The City’s
Biodiversity Areas offer easy access to nature and her gifts – from riverine areas and wetlands, to a bird sanctuary that was once a wastewater treatment works, to one of the last remaining breeding sites for the
endangered Western Leopard Toad – all of these are supported by a range of community partners.
Being responsible in our reserves
We can all enjoy our natural heritage and play our part in protecting our biodiversity.
Do's and don'ts
| Do | Don't |
|---|
| Stick to the designated paths | Don’t take part in activities like filming or cutting wood without the correct permits |
| Enjoy the many activities on offer | Don’t collect or remove animals or plants from the reserve |
|
Get involved at your local reserve | Don’t disturb nesting birds |
Visit one of our
Environmental Education Centres
| Don’t litter or cause fires |
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