About

Tygerberg Nature Reserve lies in the northern suburbs of Cape Town. Proclaimed as a Section 23 Nature Reserve under the Protected Areas Act in 2016, this reserve covers an area of 388 hectares and boasts 562 different plant species. Of these, 23 are threatened, 8 are endemic to Cape Town, and 3 are endemic to Tygerberg itself.

The diversity of species found here is vast, with some 24 different mammal species, 137 bird species, 22 different reptiles, 7 types of frogs, and numerous different butterfly species. The view from the top of the reserve’s hill is magnificent, with a 360 degree view of the City and emphasises just how meagre the patches of natural vegetation are amid the urban sprawl. The eastern slope of the reserve consists of old ploughed fields that are in the process of being restored, while the Western slope is close to pristine Swartland shale renosterveld.

The Kristo Pienaar Environmental Education Centre is a popular, well-run venue and contains a resource centre with a library and a herbarium. Lessons are taught to school learners, university and college students. A variety of topics are offered, including biodiversity and ecology. The hall is also available for hire for conferences and meetings; however it is not zoned for social functions.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday
07:30 – 18:00

Weekends and public holidays
07:30 – 19:00

Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday

Entrance fees

For more information about seasonal passes please consult the nature conservation tariffs in the document downloads section below.

Contact us

General enquiries

Telephone:
021 444 8971

Fax:
086 201 2916

Email:
tygerberg.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za

Location

Totius Street, Welgemoed

Features and facilities

• Events facilities
• Facility hire
• Path and walkways
• Picnic areas
• Environmental education centre

Activities

• Private events and functions
• Educational programmes
• Running and jogging
• Hiking and walking
• Picnics

Facility sizes

388 hectares

Booking and tariffs

Kristo Pienaar Environmental Education Centre bookings

Telephone:
021 444 9263

Monthly enviro-talks and canon firing enquiries

Friends of the Tygerberg Hills

Email:
danesterhuyse@gmail.com

Bird talks and bird ringing enquiries

Tygerberg Bird Club

Email:
b.dekock@mweb.co.za

Hikes and rare plant survey enquiries

Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wild Flowers

Email:
tygerberg.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za

For a detailed list of costs please consult the tariffs in the document downloads section below.

Document downloads

• 1. CCT Nature Reserves: A Network of Amazing Biodiversity Booklet

     30/06/2020, Booklet - 5 MB

  2. CCT Nature Reserves: Discover the City's Nature Reserves Information Pamphlet

     01/08/2018, Pamphlet - 676.1 KB

  3. Environmental and Heritage Management Tariffs

     30/06/2025, Budget annexure,Tariff - 2.1 MB

  4. Nature Conservation Tariffs

     30/06/2025, Budget annexure,Tariff - 2.6 MB

  5. Nature Reserves and other protected areas Map

     30/06/2014, Map - 841 KB

  6. Tygerberg Nature Reserve Hiking Trail Map (Colour)

     31/12/2014, Map - 770 KB

  7. Tygerberg Nature Reserve Hiking Trail Map (With Contour Lines)

     31/12/2014, Map - 579.3 KB

  8. Tygerberg Nature Reserve Information Pamphlet

     01/08/2018, Pamphlet - 272.3 KB

  9. Tygerberg Nature Reserve Integrated Reserve Management Plan

     31/05/2011, Management plan - 4 MB

  10. Tygerberg Nature Reserve Map

      03/09/2018, Map - 1.6 MB