Visitors to 10 CapeNature reserves in the Western Cape can no longer pay for entrance fees, activities and other services in cash. The cashless payment system was introduced at five reserves in February 2026 and extended to another five reserves in September.
The first five reserves to go cashless were Robberg, Keurbooms, Stony Point, Bird Island and Walker Bay. The September expansion added Assegaaibosch, Jonkershoek, Grootvadersbosch, Kogelberg and Geelkrans.
The 10 cashless CapeNature reserves
The cashless system currently applies at:
- Robberg Nature Reserve
- Keurbooms Nature Reserve
- Stony Point Nature Reserve
- Bird Island Nature Reserve
- Walker Bay Nature Reserve
- Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve
- Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
- Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
- Kogelberg Nature Reserve
- Geelkrans Nature Reserve
Visitors at these reserves need to use an electronic payment method. CapeNature accepts debit and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard and American Express, as well as mobile Scan to Pay payments. Visitors can also book and pay in advance online or make a telephone booking through the CapeNature Contact Centre on 087 087 8250.
CapeNature recommends booking permits online in advance, particularly as some hiking trails have a limited number of permits available each day. Visitors arriving without a booking can use card payment or QR-code payment options at the reserve.
More reserves will become cashless
The rollout will continue in two further phases.
The next phase will include:
- Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
- Limietberg Nature Reserve
- Marloth Nature Reserve
- Cederberg Wilderness – Algeria
- Cederberg Wilderness – Kliphuis
- Rocherpan Nature Reserve
- Groot Winterhoek Nature Reserve
- De Mond Nature Reserve
A final phase is planned for 2027, when cashless payments will be extended to:
- Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
- De Hoop Nature Reserve
- Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
- Goukamma Nature Reserve
- Outeniqua Nature Reserve
What this means for travellers
The main point for travellers is simple: cash is no longer accepted at the CapeNature reserves that have already switched to cashless payments.
International visitors can use Visa and Mastercard cards provided they support contactless or chip-and-PIN payments. CapeNature also has backup payment processes in place for connectivity or power problems, with staff available to assist visitors. If the payment system is offline and a visitor does not have cash, CapeNature says visitors can use Scan to Pay or complete a mobile-friendly online booking using the QR codes available at the gate.
For travellers planning a road trip through the Western Cape, it is therefore worth checking the payment arrangements for the reserve before setting off. This will become increasingly relevant as CapeNature continues to expand the cashless system over the coming months and into 2027.
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