Image related to website content

CapeNature announces phased reopening of reserves

10 Jun 2020

CapeNature is delighted to announce the phased reopening of its reserves across the Western Cape following the easing of the national lockdown regulations to Alert Level 3 to allow hiking and fishing activity.

Mr. Sheraaz Ismail, acting CapeNature Chief Executive Officer, confirmed that, “Staff are working diligently to ensure that the respective reserves are compliant and ready to welcome visitors to our reserves. All regulations relating to social distancing, health protocols, movement and the prohibition of groups and gatherings will apply accordingly.”

For a full list of reserves and trails that will be open to the public from Friday, 12 June 2020, click here (opens in new tab). Please take into consideration the daily limit allowed on each trail.  Once capacity is reached no more hiking permits may be issued for that trail on that day. The opening of trails will be subject to weather conditions.

Image related to website content

All visitors entering at a controlled CapeNature reserve entrance gate will be subjected to a screening process and various guidelines will apply, including the mandatory completion of a 4-step check-in process. Visitors will need to comply with the following prior to being allowed entry:

  1. Wearing of face masks.
  2. Disinfection of hands with sanitiser provided.
  3. Scanning of body temperature. This will be unobtrusive with high regard for personal space and comfort.
  4. Recording of visitor information as part of the Visitor Access Registration.

For those reserves where there is no controlled entrance gate access, hikers will need to ensure that social distancing and health protocols are followed. No organised groups will be allowed access to the trails, visitors are encouraged to hike in pairs.

No picnicking, overnight hiking, camping or overnight stays will be allowed. All fishing, including recreational fishing, will be permitted with the exception of charter fishing. Anglers and hikers must ensure that they have a valid permit and any member of the public found without a hiking or fishing permit, will be issued with a fine.

In order to minimize contact engagement and risk, no hiking permit will be on sale at the Reserve gate, until further notice. All visitors will be encouraged to pre-purchase their hiking permit online, by visiting www.capenature.co.za or contacting the CapeNature Contact Centre on 087 087 8250 (074 936 2139 or 062 318 4987 on weekends). Pre-purchased hiking permit sales will close at 10h00, for any purchases made for that particular day. In order to manage capacity and record keeping Wild Card holders will also need to register for a hiking permit online prior to arriving at the reserve.

  • To book your hiking permit online, go here and check for your preferred trail under the reserve information.
  • To read more on booking your fishing permit, read more here.

Please be aware that visitor limits may apply at selected reserves. A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found here (opens in new tab).

Bookings for tourism facilities

Visitor safety is CapeNature’s key priority and the COVID pandemic has therefore led to a fundamental shift in how we do things. Permits will not be sold at the CapeNature entrance gates. The entity will continue to only sell permits online and via the Contact Centre, under Alert Level 3 conditions. Wild card members will need to register a permit by emailing reservation.alert@capenature.co.za or by contacting us on 087 087 8250 (074 936 2139 or 062 318 4987 on weekends). No fees will apply to valid Wild Card holders. Bookings for the educational eco-venues and overnight accommodation bookings are still closed but the CapeNature online booking portal is open for future bookings.

CapeNature’s full COVID-19 Booking terms and conditions is available on the CapeNature website here (opens in new tab).

Image related to website content

 

Share:

Related News

Wilderness Nature Reserve
5 Aug 2025
Boost for freshwater biodiversity as Wilderness Nature Reserve declared

A new nature reserve has been declared in the Western Cape, marking another significant milestone for the province’s environment. The Wilderness Nature Reserve, spanning over 643 hectares, has been declared a Provincial Nature Reserve in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003).

MPA Day Rocherpan 2
1 Aug 2025
Rocherpan clean-up kicks off MPA Day 2025 celebrations

CapeNature kicked off Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day celebrations with a community-driven beach clean-up at Rocherpan Nature Reserve on 31 July 2025. With school learners, volunteers, and the ever-popular Cubs Club mascot, Kai, lending a hand, all to highlight the link between marine and ocean protection and a public responsibility for conservation.

Winning hearts and minds through Marine Protected Areas Image 2
1 Aug 2025
Winning hearts and minds through Marine Protected Areas

Our marine areas are teeming with life and a variety of protection measures are used to protect the ocean, such as precautionary fishery management principles (bag limits, size limits, catch limits and closed seasons) and shipping and pollution regulations. But at the heart of the protection efforts, are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are demarcated areas to conserve this incredible biodiversity. MPAs can form critical refugia for some more resident species, which may become extinct without protection. All species and ecosystems form part of the overall functioning marine ecosystem and its ability to sustain direct and indirect use. The need to conserve MPAs is based on scientific evidence as well as frequent public engagement and participation in active protection of these areas.

Franco Three Fountains Nature Reserve Image 1
30 Jul 2025
New nature reserve secures rare Cape Vernal Pools habitat

The Franco Three Fountains Nature Reserve is declared a protected area, marking a significant conservation turning point as the first and only reserve dedicated to safeguarding the rare and ecologically important Cape Vernal Pools (a rare and endangered type of seasonal wetland ecosystem found within the Greater Cape Floristic Region). This unique vegetation type, previously unrepresented across our conservation areas, now finds its largest protected expanse within the boundaries of this reserve.

Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve Outdoors
28 Jul 2025
Biodiversity crime often overlooked but its impact is devastating

Biodiversity crime is a growing and often overlooked threat that directly harms South Africa’s unique ecosystems. From the illegal plant trade in the Western Cape to poaching and even picking wildflowers in protected areas without a permit, these acts all contribute to the degradation of biodiversity and the loss of crucial natural resources.

Minister Anton Bredell at EPWP Event July 2025 1
22 Jul 2025
New EPWP intake launches careers in conservation and eco-tourism in the Western Cape

CapeNature has welcomed 475 new participants into a three-year Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) cycle, emphasising its commitment to skills development, conservation, and community upliftment across the province.

A small cohort of these participants, based at Kogelberg and Stony Point Nature Reserves, were officially welcomed at an event hosted at Kogelberg and led by Western Cape Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell.