| Explore our rivers and wetlands | Explore our rivers and wetlands | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Explore%20our%20rivers%20and%20wetlands%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClassE87CE950038E4CCCB2F95B5342D9F9E9"> <p>Cape Town is blessed with a network of beautiful rivers and wetlands<span style="color:#43afff;"> </span>and the perfect climate for getting outdoors. If you're looking to have a picnic, go for a scenic hike, or in the mood for some paddling, you're in luck. Explore with friends and family but remember to respect our plants and animals, and make sure you follow our safety guidelines.</p></div> | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Visit the City’s wetland areas</h2></span>
<p>A visit to the
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<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">City’s nature reserves</span><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> </span>and other natural areas will take you through a diverse network of protected flora and fauna.</p><p> A number of our natural areas – and some of our parks – are home to wetlands/vleis and estuaries:</p><ul><li>
<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Edith%20Stephens%20Nature%20Reserve">Edith Stephens Nature Reserve</a> </span></li><li>Zeekoevlei (part of
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/False%20Bay%20Nature%20Reserve">False Bay Nature Reserve</a>)</li><li></li><li>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Zandvlei%20Estuary%20Nature%20Reserve">Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve</a> </li><li>Rietvlei (part of
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Table%20Bay%20Nature%20Reserve">Table Bay Nature Reserve.</a>)</li><li>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Uitkamp%20Wetland%20Nature%20Reserve">Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve</a> </li><li>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/District%20parks/Khayelitsha%20Wetlands%20Park">Khayelitsha Wetland Park</a> </li><li>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Biodiversity%20parks/Glencairn%20Wetland">Glencairn Wetland</a> </li><li>Steenbras River Gorge (part of
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Steenbras%20Nature%20Reserve">Steenbras Nature Reserve</a>)</li></ul>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">River and wetland walks</h2></span>
<p>Most of the City’s protected natural areas – including our parks – offer walks for the whole family. Enjoy the sounds of nature and the cooling effect of the waters as you stroll along a river or explore a wetland on foot.</p><p> Here are some ideas to get you started:</p><ul><li>Tread the figure-of-eight footpaths at
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Biodiversity%20parks/Glencairn%20Wetland">Glencairn Wetland</a><br></li><li>Wander in
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Biodiversity%20parks/De%20Hel%20Nature%20Area">De Hel</a>, where tree-covered slopes run down to the riverbed.</li><li>Choose from the many nature walks on offer in the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Table%20Bay%20Nature%20Reserve">Table Bay Nature Reserve</a>, which includes Rietvlei, Zoarvlei, Milnerton Lagoon and Diep River. </li></ul><p>Find an updated list of walks and hikes in our nature reserves in our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Nature_reserve_hiking%20trails.pdf" target="_blank">Nature Reserve Hiking Trail, Nature Walk and Public Pathway Guide</a>.</p>
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<i class="info toptip"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p>Many river walks are open to dog walkers too. Check the signs to see if your dog needs to be on a leash and always clean up your dog’s poop.</p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Picnics along the water </h2></span>
<p>Take a refreshing break on a hot summer’s day and head to the water for a picnic or braai with family and friends. Many of the City’s nature reserves have dedicated picnic and braai areas. </p><p>For example, head to the grassy shores at
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Zandvlei%20Estuary%20Nature%20Reserve">Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve</a> – which also offers a number of water sports if you’re feeling adventurous – or grab a picnic table at
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/False%20Bay%20Nature%20Reserve">False Bay Nature Reserve</a>, Rondevlei Section and try to spot the elusive hippos.<span> </span></p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Bird watching</h2></span><span>
<p>Healthy wetlands offer homes, food and breeding sites to an astonishing range of birds – making them the perfect place for new and experienced bird watchers too.</p>
<p>The
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/False%20Bay%20Nature%20Reserve">False Bay Nature Reserve</a> is the fifth most important habitat for wetland birds in southern Africa. It hosts about 250 bird species – at times up to 30 000 birds – including fish eagles, pelicans and flamingos. The posters below gives you an idea of the enormous diversity of this area.</p>
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<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/FBEP_poster_-_front_2082007105433_465.pdf" target="_blank">False Bay Ecology Park brochure – front page </a></span>
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<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/FBEP_poster_-_back.pdf" target="_blank">False Bay Ecology Park brochure – back page</a> </span></p></span>
<p>Rietvlei Wetland, part of the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves/Table%20Bay%20Nature%20Reserve">Table Bay Nature Reserve</a>, offers a variety of water habitats, including a permanent freshwater lake, shallow marshes that flood in winter, reed beds, a river, and an estuarine lagoon. </p><p>With around 196 bird species, it is a birder’s paradise – especially in spring and summer, when migrant birds arrive from the northern hemisphere. And it has two bird hides!</p>
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<i class="info fastfact"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p>Two of our Biodiversity Areas,
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Biodiversity%20parks/Raapenberg%20Bird%20Sanctuary">Raapenberg </a>and
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Biodiversity%20parks/Dick%20Dent%20Bird%20Sanctuary">Dick Dent</a>, are also dedicated bird sanctuaries.</p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">River safety</h2></span>
<p>The flat, still surface of rivers can give a false sense of security. Currents, undertows or submerged objects can be dangerous. These waterways are not patrolled by lifeguards, which means there may not be anyone around to help in an emergency. Have fun, while always following our safety guidelines.</p><p>
<strong>River safety tips:</strong></p><ul><li>Never swim alone</li><li>Avoid drinking alcohol around water</li><li>Wear a lifejacket while in a watercraft</li><li>Learn lifesaving skills</li><li>Only swim in safe natural conditions</li><li>Never let children swim unsupervised (supervision saves lives)</li><li>Enter feet first to make sure the water is safe and deep enough for swimming</li><li>Obey watercraft rules</li><li>Do not swim if the river is polluted</li><li>Do not enter a river if you have open cuts/wounds</li></ul><p>
<strong>Watercraft rules:</strong></p><ul><li>Stay seated when the boat is in motion</li><li>Never sit on the side of the boat</li><li>Watch out for swimmers and smaller boats</li><li>Never throw litter off the boat</li><li>Steer clear of docks, the shore, and other boats</li><li>Obey the posted speed limits</li></ul> | | GP0|#79ca0e48-cc64-41d0-9a66-d0f0de2d3777;L0|#079ca0e48-cc64-41d0-9a66-d0f0de2d3777|Explore our rivers and wetlands;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#36458668-722c-4b2b-9451-069fee2f7463;GPP|#553ce1f7-0fea-434b-bbc1-744edbd62039;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | An overview of activities in or near Cape Town’s rivers and wetlands and some important safety tips. | 0 |
