FREE Access Week back this September 2020!
What a year it's been! A Covid-enforced lockdown has kept people around the globe confined to their homes for most of 2020. There is reason for optimism however as travel restrictions have been eased in recent months. Spring has arrived and September is both Tourism Month and Heritage month in South Africa when we rejoice in and celebrate the beauty of our natural heritage.
To mark the significance of tourism and heritage, we're delighted to announce that day access to selected CapeNature reserves will be free from 16 to 22 September 2020.
There are so many reasons to be proud of our rich natural beauty. Did you know that the Western Cape Province is home to a number of World Heritage Sites, so named because they meet the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) requirements for containing fauna and flora of outstanding universal value? Or that the Cape Floral Region (one of the six floral kingdoms in the world) has the highest concentration of plant species in the world. It contains an estimated 9 500 species, of which 70% do not grow anywhere else in the world.
If you crave adventure in the outdoors, our pristine beaches, scenic forests and rolling mountains provide the perfect backdrop for hiking, cycling and swimming to get the blood pumping.
So what more opportune time to reconnect with our natural heritage by exploring the Western Cape and experiencing the sights and sounds of nature?  Whether you’re heading to the Garden Route, the Overberg, the Winelands , the Karoo or the West Coast, you’ll be able to visit a CapeNature reserve and experience your natural heritage.
Experience the rare thrill of catching a glimpse of diverse animal and bird life in their natural habitat.
Participating Reserves
West Coast
- Groot Winterhoek
- Cederberg
- Matjiesrivier
- Rocherpan
Winelands
- Limietberg
- Jonkershoek
- Assegaaibosch
- Hottentots Holland
- Vrolijkheid
Overberg
- Kogelberg
- De Mond
- De Hoop
- Marloth
- Grootvadersbosch
Garden Route
- Robberg
- Keurbooms River
- Goukamma
Klein Karoo
- Swartberg (Gamkaskloof/DieHel)
- Gamkaberg
Terms and ConditionsÂ
The following terms and conditions apply to this campaign:
- The conservation fee will be waived for visitors to selected CapeNature reserves between 16 and 22 September 2020.
- No pre-bookings required. Daily reserve maximum capacity availability applies to visitor walk-ins.
- Free access fee will pertain to general access (conservation fee) and hiking and mountain biking. The waiver will NOT apply to the Whale Trail, partners or concessions (including canopy tours, bouldering, horse riding etc).
- R0 rated permits needs to be given to everyone accessing the reserve during this time, as per usual standard procedure to ensure that all access numbers and activity numbers are recorded.
- Access to Protected Areas during the CapeNature Access Week will be conducted during regular reserve hours and applies to entries at CapeNature reserve gates.
Visit www.capenature.co.za to learn out more about Access Week 2020 and remember to tag us on social media when visiting the reserves using the hashtag #AccessWeek and #TourismMonth. There's a reserve rich with heritage close to you - go and experience it for free during access week!
Related News
Catch and release helps to conserve the Western Cape’s indigenous fish
Freshwater ecosystems across the Western Cape are rich in biodiversity, supporting a variety of indigenous fish. However, these species are increasingly threatened by the spread of invasive alien fish species, that prey on indigenous species and compete with them for food, space, and breeding grounds.
Celebrating innovative, resilient women in tourism
Women are thriving in tourism and wielding influence from the boardroom to hiking trails, where they beat a pathway for others to follow. They occupy 70% of the tourism workforce in South Africa, and their voices are being amplified in the sector now more than ever. A powerful yet often overlooked statistic that underscores their vital role in the sector.
Rivers, Watersheds, and the Klein Estuary: A 2025 Natural Breach Event
Over millions of years, South Africa’s rivers and watersheds have evolved through the forces of erosion, rainfall, and shifting geology. A river catchment, or watershed, is an area of land where all surface water flows toward a single river, stream, or channel, eventually reaching the sea.
Avian Influenza detected in Western Cape: Public urged to stay alert, not alarmed
High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) is a viral disease of birds that can also, on rare occasions, infect humans and mammals. The virus spreads through bird faeces and droplets from the nose and mouth, and is present in other body fluids and tissues of dead birds. The disease can cause high mortality rates in domestic poultry.
Independent experts’ review of draft action plan for baboon management now available
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, wants to inform residents, interested parties, and stakeholders that the independent expert panel’s review of the proposed action plan on baboon management is now available to the public.
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).
How can I assist you today?
How can I assist you today?