Devastating wildfire sees Jonkershoek, Assegaaibosch and Assegaaiboschkloof Nature Reserves closed for public access until further notice.
The fire that started on Sunday 21 February 2021 near the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve continued for two weeks and caused severe ecological damage. A portion of the fire raged through the Jonkershoek Valley which has resulted public access to Jonkershoek and Assegaaibosch Nature Reserves to close temporarily until September 2021. During this time, the CapeNature Team along with specialists will conduct patrols, post fire monitoring, and ensure undisturbed recovery of the veld at its most sensitive stage.
This fire proved to be extremely difficult to contain due to extreme terrain and weather patterns that were not conducive to fire suppression. The structural damage was limited due to the excellent teamwork by all agencies assisting with firefighting efforts under extreme conditions. Two CapeNature firefighters sustained serious burn injuries while fighting the fire in the Jonkershoek Valley and are currently being treated in hospital. Our heartfelt thanks to all who assisted our firefighters with immediate on-site medical treatment and getting them to hospital quickly. They have both undergone surgery and are in a serious but stable condition.
CapeNature needs to do a thorough assessment of damages to the hiking trail and other infrastructure such as signage, bridges, trails, etc. of the Jonkershoek and Assegaaibosch Nature Reserves. It is expected that soils of certain parts of the hiking trail network may have been become “hydrophobic” because of the intense heat. Allowing visitors on the trails for walking, hiking and mountain biking could lead to further damage of footpaths and other trails, and could also worsen during winter rains, potentially causing severe erosion.
In addition to the environmental damage caused which already poses significant restrictions on all activities within the reserve, unfortunately the Jonkershoek area, the burn scar area, including Jonkershoek, Assegaaibosch, Bergriver dam and the mountains behind Banhoek will remain CLOSED to all access. This will have a direct implication on all events and filming activities which will be prohibited until further notice.
CapeNature CEO Dr Razeena Omar says “Our thoughts and prayers are with our two brave firefighters and their families and we wish them strength as they continue their journey to recovery. The damaged land will also require much time to repair and restore. We call on the public through the support of organised hiking groups to advise friends and family to stay away for a while. Allowing the landscape to rest provides opportunity for the first season’s growth to provide ground cover to prevent further damage.”
We apologise for the temporary inconvenience this closure causes but assure all concerned that this is an informed decision and in the best interest of public safety and environmental recovery. Outdoor enthusiasts will still have a wide range of alternative CapeNature destinations to explore across the Western Cape.
Related News
How CapeNature and partners "Reverse the Red"
Reverse the Red is “a global coalition of conservation organisations and species experts working together to accelerate action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss” and every year, 7 February marks Reverse the Red day. The term stems from the effort conservations make to try and reduce the number of species on the IUCN Red List.
CapeNature goes cashless at select nature reserves
In line with its commitment to service excellence, sustainability, and safety, CapeNature is excited to announce the transition to a fully cashless payment system at five of its flagship nature reserves from 2 February 2026. The move will streamline operations, reduce queue times, and enhance the visitor experience while reducing the risks associated with cash handling.
Celebrating the cultural heritage of wetlands on World Wetlands Day 2026
As the world commemorates World Wetlands Day annually on 2 February, CapeNature joins communities across the Western Cape in recognising the deep and enduring relationship between people, culture and wetlands, celebrating under the 2026 theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge… Celebrating Cultural Heritage”.
Cederberg fire recovery and visitor access
After a significant wildfire spread throughout the Cederberg Wilderness Area during the festive period, recovery and reopening efforts are now underway as CapeNature looks forward to welcoming visitors again. CapeNature has begun a comprehensive recovery programme, which will continue over the next six to twelve months.
Curio Shop Summer Essentials with CapeNature
Did you know that some of your most-loved CapeNature reserves have Curio Shops right on site? That’s right - making it easier than ever to take a piece of your journey home with you. From customised souvenirs to practical summer essentials, these shops are filled with locally made treasures crafted by small businesses, including beautiful handmade items.
Cederberg Complex Fire Update
The wildfire in the Cederberg, which started on 22 December, continues to be actively managed by firefighting agencies. The affected area is now measured at just over 34 000 hectares. While large sections of the fire are contained, the fire is not yet fully contained, and multiple active fire lines remain, particularly in mountainous and inaccessible terrain.