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.