Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
ACCESS AND PARKING
Please read the
Protected Area Notice for conditions relating to access and parking in the Nature Reserve until 30 June 2025.
About
Cape Town is unique due to its high concentration of local flora and fauna species. Our nature reserves protect and conserve our city’s natural resources and biodiversity heritage.
The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is famous for the Atlantis Dunes, which cover 500 hectares of the reserve. It is a flora and fauna-rich landscape that is home to endangered Cape Flats Dune Strandveld and the endangered Atlantis Sand Fynbos, as well as an abundance of wild life, including: steenbok, Cape grysbok, small grey mongoose, Cape dune mole rat and caracal.
Below the surface, a large underground natural aquifer supplies the surrounding communities of Atlantis, Mamre and Pella with potable (drinking) water.
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is also one of the most popular off-roading destinations in the Western Cape. It offers 4x4 fun, quad biking/off-road motorcycles and sand boarding.
Please read the Code of Conduct for Permissible Activities:
The Code of Conduct aims to:
- ensure public safety;
- optimise the visitor experience;
- integrate various recreational uses and user groups of the reserve;
- ensure international best practice; and
- protect Cape Town’s environmental assets and strategic water sources, while continuing to provide equitable opportunities for tourism and associated businesses at the reserve.
Download the documents below for more information about the reserve:
Witzands Aquifer Information Pamphlet
Posters
1
Landscape
2
Climate
3
Geology and soils
4
Cultural and Natural Heritage
5
Off-road and Environment
6
Vegetation
7
Mammals
8
Amphibians and Reptiles
9
Birds
Location
Atlantis Dunes, Dassenberg Drive (R307), Atlantis
Features and facilities
- Path and walkways
- Conference room
- Hall
Activities
- Hiking and walking
- Environmental education activities
- Private events and functions
- Cycling and biking
- Extreme sports
Facility sizes
Approximately 3000 hectares
Booking and tariffs
For a detailed list of costs for various nature reserves and environmental education centres, please consult the tariffs in the document downloads section below.
Document downloads
-
Nature Reserves and other protected areas Map
30/06/2014, Map - 841 KB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Information Pamphlet
03/07/2019, Pamphlet - 690.4 KB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Map
03/09/2018, Map - 1.1 MB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Permissible Activities - Sandboarding Code of Conduct
11/05/2025, Regulation - 504.7 KB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Permissible Activities – Off Road and Dirt Road Vehicles Code of Conduct
11/05/2025, Regulation - 507 KB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Permissible Activities – Quadbiking/Motorcycles/All Terrain Vehicles Code of Conduct
11/05/2025, Regulation - 510.6 KB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Poster: 01 Landscape
14/09/2020, Poster - 3.8 MB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Poster: 02 Climate
14/09/2020, Poster - 6.7 MB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Poster: 04 Cultural and Natural Heritage
13/09/2020, Poster - 6.6 MB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Poster: 05 Off-road and the Environment
14/09/2020, Poster - 4.6 MB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Poster: 06 Vegetation
14/09/2020, Poster - 5.9 MB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Poster: 07 Mammals
14/09/2020, Poster - 7.8 MB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Poster: 08 Amphibians and Reptiles
14/09/2020, Poster - 8.2 MB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Poster: 09 Birds
14/09/2020, Poster - 5.2 MB
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve Poster: Geology and Soils
14/09/2020, Poster - 4.9 MB
Witzands Nature Reserve Integrated Reserve Management Plan
31/05/2011, Management plan - 5.5 MB
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