WHAT TO DO

icon/bouldering_greenicon/bouldering_blueBoulderingBouldering
icon/swimming_greenicon/swimming_blueSwimmingSwimming
icon/fishing_greenicon/fishing_blueRecreational fishingRecreational fishing
icon/whalewatching_blueWhale watchingWhale watching
icon/birdwatching_greenicon/birdwatching_blueBirdwatchingBirdwatching
icon/hiking_greenHikingHiking
icon/cycling_greenicon/cycling_blueMountain biking and cyclingMountain biking and cycling
icon/gameviewing_greenicon/gameviewing_blueWildlife ViewingWildlife Viewing
Fishing
22 Nov 2023
Responsible Angling ensures a Sustainable Future for both the Environment and the Communities that rely on these Resources

The Western Cape is home to an array of freshwater habitats, from serene mountain streams to picturesque dams. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice looking to cast your first line, understanding the regulations, and acquiring the necessary permits is crucial for an enjoyable and sustainable fishing experience. Before embarking on your freshwater fishing adventure, it's essential to comprehend the significance of obtaining a permit.

CMZ3
22 Nov 2023 by Dr Marienne de Villiers
Seeing Stripes: The Kammanassie Cape mountain zebra aerial survey

Spotting a zebra is something of a wonderous task for admirers of wildlife’s beauty, but monitoring of Cape mountain zebra populations provides vital information that is used to inform management decisions and actions and is one of the objectives of the gazetted Biodiversity Management Plan for this species.

Bios Cape blog
22 Nov 2023 by Dr Andrew Turner
Harnessing the Power of NASA’s Technology to Detect Alien Species

When NASA isn’t spending its time exploring the depths of outer space, its lending its technology for the ambitious BioSCape project, which seeks to detect patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem health in the fynbos biome.

Overberg Pool Hero Blog
17 Nov 2023
Your Bucket List of Things to Do in the Overberg Region Sorted

Pack your outdoor attire when visiting the Overberg and prepare yourself for an adventurous journey while connecting with nature. With an assortment of activities to choose from, visitors are sure to tick off adventure-galore in nature on their bucket lists before heading into 2024.

Cape Vulture De Hoop 2016 09 14 2
8 Nov 2023 by Kallyn Gunkel
Guardians of the Sky: Cape Vultures in South Africa's Potberg Mountains

The Cape vultures of the Potberg Mountains are not just ecological linchpins but also cultural symbols in parts of southern Africa. CapeNature has been dedicated to the conservation and monitoring of these majestic birds for many years within CapeNature's De Hoop Nature Reserve, where the Potberg Mountains provide vital breeding habitat for the only population of Cape vultures in the Western Cape.

Caracal caught in a fence line snare Andrée Bonthuys
1 Nov 2023
Collaborative Snare Free Initiative Proves Its Worth

Three months ago, on 1 August, leading conservation, animal welfare and volunteer organisations in the Western Cape joined forces to launch Snare Free – a multi-component initiative aimed at providing a coordinated response to snared wildlife incidents in the province. A lot has happened since!

Conservation in action

Mirriam Plaatjies
Celebrating gender equality in conservation

There is a number of women working at CapeNature in so-called non-conventional roles. The entity is known for creating an enabling environment where women employees can thrive and progress. 

IFSMFN
Groenvlei Carp Project

The Invasive Fish Species Management Non Profit Company (IFSM) consists of a group of volunteers that approached CapeNature in 2018 to remove invasive carp from Groenvlei lake by means of fishing bows.

5.1.3.2. Landscape South fauna image_Bontebok Kevin Shaw
Bontebok conservation

The Greater De Hoop Conservation Area is the stronghold of bontebok conservation. Together, De Hoop Nature Reserve and the adjacent Overberg Test Range support almost half of all bontebok on protected areas.

Geometric Tortoise
Monitoring of the critically endangered Geometric tortoise

The geometric tortoise occurs only in the low-lying renosterveld shrublands of the Swartland, Upper Breede River Valley and Ceres Valley.

Amphibians frog animal
Rough moss frog

The rough moss frog occurs at a single locality on the southern slopes of the Klein Swartberg Mountain. The main threats to this species are invasive alien plants and too-frequent fires.

Berg River Redfin
Conservation of Barrydale redfin

The tiny Critically Endangered Barrydale redfin, for example, is limited to just 40 km2 in the Tradouw catchment where it is threatened by water abstraction, pollution and alien fish.

Events Calendar
2 ND BATCH Access Week 2023 05
23 Sep 2023 - 29 Sep 2023
Access Week 2023
Access Week 2023
World Tourism Month Recovered 18
7 Sep 2023
Tourism Month Panel Discussion
Tourism Month Panel Discussion
V4 Dont be Trashy 2023 02
1 Sep 2023 - 30 Sep 2023
#DontBeTrashy 2023
#DontBeTrashy 2023

Featured accommodation

Cederberg Algeria new cottages 1

Algeria - Cottages

Cederberg Wilderness Area
Blacktail Chalet

Blacktail Chalet

Goukamma Nature Reserve
CN ROCH Moorhen LR 9918

Coot, Moorhen, Egret and Shoveler

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Reviews

Rocherpan is the most amazing getaway. Your staff are exceptional there, and the welcome we received from Josh and Janine was outstanding. We love the fact that the reserve is almost completely self-sustaining, and the design and build of the accommodation is such that in the height of summer you don't feel the heat and in the depth of winter the units are warm. Kudos to the team who designed and did this work.
James King 24 Aug 2023
My husband and I have stayed at many many campsites over the years, but Grootvadersbosch remains one of the cleanest, best designed and best run in our experience. The staff are admirably dedicated to their jobs and even though we were virtually the only campers for much of our stay, all of the facilities were kept spotless the whole time we were there which we very much appreciated.
Cara Hindes 23 Aug 2023
We enjoyed our stay very much. I do not think there is anything I would change. All was very good and comfartable.
Nicolaas Kleinhans 23 Aug 2023

Featured reserves

Cederberg Landscape Scott Ramsay
Cederberg Wilderness Area

The Cederberg was proclaimed as a Wilderness in 1973. The 66811 ha of mountainous terrain is located in the Cape Floral Region only three hours outside Cape Town, but it feels like a different world.

Explore rugged mountain terrain
Swim in crystal clear rock pools
Discover ancient rock art
Goukamma Nature Reserve copyright Cape Nature 7 2
Goukamma Nature Reserve

We recommend that you use a vehicle with a high ground clearance when traversing on reserve.

Goukamma Nature and Marine Reserve was proclaimed a marine protected area in 1990 and it is heralded as one of the country’s conservation success stories. The reserve stretches along 16.5km of the coastline between Buffalo Bay and Platbank, and 2 500 hectares inland.

Fact

Buffalo Valley’s three self-catering timber lodges are fully equipped and sleep between four to six people. 

Fact

Buffalo Valley is a large conservation area  two kilometres from the warm Indian Ocean. 

Marloth Watervalkloof
Marloth Nature Reserve

Marloth Nature Reserve is hidden away in the imposing Swellendam Mountains, between Swellendam, Ashton, Barrydale and Suurbraak. The peaceful reserve, which is 14 123 hectares in size, is managed together with 16 532 hectares of privately owned land, and is a World Heritage Site.

Explore beautiful fynbos with patches of forest
Over 25 species of erica flowers found here

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