Explore Cape Town nature reserves free during City Nature Challenge 2026

Travellers and nature lovers visiting Cape Town over the long weekend have the perfect reason to explore the city’s wild side. The City of Cape Town has officially launched the annual City Nature Challenge 2026, taking place from Friday, 24 April to Monday, 27 April 2026.

This global biodiversity event invites residents and visitors alike to photograph local wildlife and upload their sightings using the iNaturalist app. From birds and reptiles to fynbos, insects, shells, feathers and marine life, every observation helps Cape Town compete with cities around the world to record the highest number of species and wildlife sightings.

Free entry to all City of Cape Town nature reserves

To encourage participation, the City of Cape Town is offering free access to all nature reserves managed by the City throughout the City Nature Challenge 2026 period from 24 to 27 April 2026.

This makes it an excellent opportunity for travellers looking for affordable outdoor activities while discovering the natural beauty and biodiversity of Cape Town.

Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, encouraged everyone to take part:

“All you have to do is download the free iNaturalist app and start uploading all the plant, animal or insect findings you come across. Even remnants such as mussel shells or feathers can be recorded as signs of life.”

Whether you explore a major conservation area, your local park, or even your own garden, every wildlife sighting counts.

Free access applies to:

• Blaauwberg Nature Reserve
• Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve
• Botterblom Nature Reserve
• Bracken Nature Reserve
• Durbanville Nature Reserve
• Edith Stephens Nature Reserve
• False Bay Nature Reserve
• Harmony Flats Nature Reserve
• Helderberg Nature Reserve
• Steenbras Nature Reserve
• Table Bay Nature Reserve
• Tygerberg Nature Reserve
• Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve
• Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
• Wolfgat Nature Reserve
• Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve

Many of these protected areas also offer guided tours for groups, giving visitors the chance to spot unique wildlife while learning more about Cape Town's rich biodiversity.

A perfect long weekend activity for travellers

For visitors planning a weekend in Cape Town, the City Nature Challenge 2026 adds a unique eco-tourism experience beyond the usual beaches and sightseeing. It’s family-friendly, budget-friendly, and offers a chance to engage directly with the city’s world-famous biodiversity.

Cape Town remains one of the world’s most biodiverse urban destinations, and the City Nature Challenge 2026 is one of the best ways to experience it firsthand.

If you’re visiting this April long weekend, pack your walking shoes, charge your phone, and get ready to explore Cape Town's natural treasures—one wildlife sighting at a time.

 

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Cape Town offers free entry to Nature Reserves during the Great Southern Bioblitz 2025!

The City of Cape Town has announced an exciting opportunity for nature lovers and citizen scientists alike — free entry to all City nature reserves in Cape Town from Friday, 24 October to Monday, 27 October 2025, in celebration of the Great Southern Bioblitz 2025.

This annual event brings together cities across the southern hemisphere in a friendly competition to record and showcase local biodiversity - from plants and insects to birds, mammals, and marine life. The goal is to raise awareness of the region’s incredible ecosystems and inspire communities to take part in conservation.
Participants can join in by simply exploring nature and uploading their wildlife observations to the iNaturalist app or website. Every sighting recorded during the four challenge days will automatically be added to the Cape Town Bioblitz project, helping scientists and environmentalists better understand the city’s natural heritage.

“Each year, cities across the southern hemisphere go head-to-head to see who can capture the widest range of plant and animal species, and Cape Town is always in the running to lead the way. Once again, we’re opening our nature reserves to residents, free of charge, so that everyone can join in the fun of discovering and recording our city’s incredible biodiversity,“ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder, a budding photographer, or simply curious about the flora and fauna around you, this is the perfect time to get outdoors, connect with nature, and contribute to real scientific research.

Please note: free entry applies only to access the City of Cape Town's nature reserves for the Bioblitz event. Recreational activities or other paid services within the reserves will still be charged at normal rates.

How to participate:

• Download the iNaturalist app or visit www.inaturalist.org
• Join the Cape Town project page
• Upload your plant and animal sightings between 24 and 27 October 2025

 

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Cape Town: New Codes of Conduct for Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve!

The City of Cape Town has announced the implementation of new codes of conduct for the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve (WANR) starting from 01 July 2025, with gate limits coming into effect on 12 August 2025. These measures aim to ensure public safety, optimize the visitor experience, and integrate various recreational activities while maintaining international best practices.

Key Codes of Conduct for WANR Visitors:

• Permit Limits for Recreational Activities:
• Off-Road Vehicles: 80 permits per day, with no individual or operator allowed to purchase more than 50% of the daily permits.
• Quad Bikes and Off-Road Motorcycles: 275 permits per day, with similar purchase restrictions.
• Sandboarding: 80 permits per day, adhering to the same purchasing cap.
• Mandatory Certifications for Tour Operators (Effective 01 July 2025):
• All tour operators must possess a valid tour guide certificate as stipulated by the Tourism Act.
• First Aid accreditation is required, and operators are responsible for client safety and well-being.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• From 01 July 2025, all visitors engaging in recreational activities must wear PPE to ensure safety.
• Parking Regulations:
• Service providers are limited to one parking bay each and must park vehicles at their depots.
• Pre-Booking Requirements:
• Day visitor pre-bookings will make up 80% of the daily visitor limit, with the remaining 20% reserved for first-come-first-served visitors.
• Monday Restrictions (Effective 12 August 2025):
• Commercial tours are prohibited on Mondays, except on public holidays. These days are designated for non-commercial off-roading, sandboarding, quad biking, walking, birdwatching, environmental education, and filming.

The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, located near the Atlantis area of Cape Town, has witnessed a significant surge in visitor numbers and permit issuances from 2019 to 2023. The new regulations are designed to protect the strategic water source – the Atlantis Aquifer – while balancing tourism opportunities and environmental conservation.
The reserve’s natural landscapes, including sand dunes, fynbos, and wetlands, provide crucial habitats for diverse wildlife. Alongside recreational activities like nature walks, sandboarding, and birdwatching, the site is also a key area for environmental education on water conservation and ecosystem preservation.
The City of Cape Town aims to implement these new codes of conduct to not only protect the natural assets of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve but also to foster a safe and sustainable visitor experience for tourists and locals alike.

These Nature Reserves in Cape Town go cashless from February 2025!

The City of Cape Town has announced that starting 01 February 2025, five of its Nature Reserves will transition to cashless payment systems at their gates. Visitors will be able to use all major digital cards (credit and debit cards), including the convenient tap-to-pay contactless payment option.

"This decision has been made to enhance the safety and security of both staff and visitors by eliminating cash handling at the reserves. It aligns with global biodiversity tourism trends, such as those implemented at Cape Point," said Alderman Eddie Andrews, Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.

The five Nature Reserves in Cape Town introducing cashless payments include:

• Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve (general admission remains free for permitted activities)
• Tygerberg Nature Reserve
• Table Bay Nature Reserve
• Helderberg Nature Reserve
• Blaauwberg Nature Reserve

Entrance fees range between R15 and R28, while residents enjoy free access to other City-managed Nature Reserves across Cape Town.

Cape Town: Start of the booking season for the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail has to be postponed!

The City of Cape Town has informed the public that the start of the booking season for the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail has to be postponed due to ongoing repairs after the winter season rains. According to the City's media office, bookings for the trail will only open on 01 November 2024 for this hiking season. Bookings for the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail are typically open from 01 October each year, with hikes starting from 01 November. 

(c) City of Cape Town, Media Office

Cape Town recorded unusually high rainfall over a short period this past Winter season. As a result, the water levels raised significantly across the Steenbras River Gorge and Crystal Pools hiking trail, allowing the Steenbras Nature Reserve team to assess parts of the trail only a few days ago. Unfortunately, the team has found that several sections of the hiking trail have been damaged. Necessary maintenance work started 27 September 2024 and the City of Cape Town is confident that the trail will be ready to open to the public by 01 November 2024. We'll keep you posted!

Steenbras River Gorge & Crystal Pools Hiking Trail Permit Regulations and Hiking Information (pdf)  >>

Cape Town: Six more Nature Reserves in the pipeline!

The City of Cape Town has announced that is has supported the commencement of the process to expand nine existing Nature Reserve and the proclamation of six new Nature Reserves. The proposed new nature reserves in Cape Town include Ariesfontein Nature Reserve, Haasendal Nature Reserve, Soetwater Nature Reserve, Symphony Way Nature Reserve, Van Schoorsdrift Nature Reserve and Westlake Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserves in Cape Town up for expansion are Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, False Bay Nature Reserve, Harmony Flats Nature Reserve, Steenbras Nature Reserve, Table Bay Nature Reserve, Tygerberg Nature Reserve, Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve, Wolfgat Nature Reserve and Zandvlei Nature Reserve.

The landscape at Soetwater Nature Reserve

"The City, through its Biodiversity Management Branch, is dedicated to conserving, restoring and managing Cape Town’s unique biodiversity and natural resources. These efforts will assist the City’s resilience, and preserve natural assets for generations to come", said City of Cape Town's  Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

The formal proclamation process which includes public participation will soon commence in collaboration with CapeNature. CapeNature is the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape,

Cape Town: Table Bay Nature Reserve Rietvlei section bird hide temporarily closed!

Following the severe rainfall and subsequent flooding on the weekend of 22 – 25 September 2023, the Old Friend’s hide and a section of the boardwalk leading to the hide located in the  Rietvlei section of the Table Bay Nature Reserve in Cape Town have been temporarily closed. According to the City of Cape Town's Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate, the repairs are expected to take a month as there are structural concerns along the boardwalk. The closed off section will only be re-opened once the walkways are deemed safe. The rest of the boardwalk and the Sunset bird hide is open for visitors. Visitors can also consider the following activities:

• Hiking and jogging on the trails
• Birdwatching
• Braai and picnic on Rietvlei's shoreline
• Environmental education programmes on offer (enquire with reserve management)
• Sail, ski, powerboat, paddle and canoe at Rietvlei and Milnerton Aquatics Club
• Fishing at selected sites (freshwater fishing permit required)

Opening hours:

• Daily from 07:30 – 16:00 (exit reserve by 17:00)

Water sports hours:

• Monday to Friday from 10:00 – 16:30
• Weekends from 07:30 – 16:30

Cape Town: Tygerberg Nature Reserve temporarily closed to the public! [update]

update (02 May 2023): The Tygerberg Nature Reserve in Cape Town is open again to visitors with its water supply now fully restored. The operating hours are from 07:30 - 18:00, Monday to Friday, and 07:30 to 19:00 on weekends and public holidays.

The City of Cape Town has announced that the Tygerberg Nature Reserve is temporarily closed to the public until further notice due to a water supply disruption. The Nature Reserve, located in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, has been experiencing intermittent water supply since 14 April 2023 due to a faulty pump supplying potable water to our reserve facilities. A professional team from the City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Directorate is attending to the matter.

Photo by Amy Harrison on Unsplash

The Tygerberg Nature 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. It is also home to some 24 different mammal species, 137 bird species, 22 different reptiles, 7 types of frogs, and numerous different butterfly species.

Cape Town: Green Point Market returns after a 10 year absence!

Cape Town's famous Green Point Market is back after 10 years. The market, which used to be one of the most popular and largest markets in the city, will take place at its new locaton, the P4 parking area of the Green Point Athletics Stadium in Green Point, on 22 December 2019 between 08:00 - 17:00. All of the historic 98 traders have been called back to the market, and an additional 102 trading opportunities have been created for new vendors. The market will only operate on Sundays and public holidays subject to events taking place within the Green Point precinct. Green Point Market was relocated 10 years to make way for the construction of the Cape Town Stadium and the surrounding Green Point Urban Park.

Cape Town: New home for the Green Point Market!

The City of Cape Town is set to revive the famous Green Point Market, which was relocated previously to make way for the construction of the Cape Town Stadium and the surrounding Green Point Urban Park. The new location of the market will be the P4 parking area of the Green Point Athletics Stadium in Green Point. The City of Cape Town has appointed an interim Market Facilitator to oversee and manage the comeback of the market, which used to be one of the most popular and largest markets in Cape Town. The Green Point Market will initially begin with 200 vendors although there is space for 300. It is expected that the market will be operational by December 2019. We'll keep you posted!

Cape Town reports record season (December 2013)

update (27 Jan 2014): Alan Winde, the Western Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism has announced some more statistics. According to him, the Groot Constantia wine estate was visited by 63 000 visitors in Dec 2013, the V&A Waterfront attracted almost 24 million visitors in 2013 and more than 780 000 passengers arrived at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) in Dec 2013. The tourism industry in the Western Cape contributed more than R18 billion a year to the regional economy and employed 150 000 people.

The City of Cape Town has released some insights into the December 2013 visitor statistics of its main tourist hotspots as well as into the arrival statistics of Cape Town International Airport (CTIA).
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway reported a record season, with 120 318 visitors in December 2013 – an increase of 2% when compared to December 2012 (117 785 visitors). Cape Point reported an increase of 4,25% in December 2013 and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens noted an increase of 9,08%. The only attraction to have reported a drop in visitor figures for December 2013 was Robben Island. Compared to December 2012 the island had 5% less visitors in December 2013.
The total arrivals at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) were up 2,07% during December 2013 when compared to to November and December 2012
The annual visitor numbers of the V&A Waterfront, measured on Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, were up 7% with a peak of 175 000 visitors per day on 31 December 2013. The Waterfront looks back on straight months of consistent retail trade sales growth since August 2011, and concludes 2013 with an impressive 19.8% year-on-year growth.