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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