CapeNature celebrates a decade of connecting communities to nature with Access Week 2024

CapeNature celebrates its 10^th annual Access Week between the 21^st and 27^th of September 2024 this year. The public is invited to access any one of 24 selected Provincial nature reserves across the Western Cape for free during this time. Visitors will be allowed day entry at no cost to enjoy activities such as hiking, bird watching, swimming and mountain biking. CapeNature will also be facilitating a variety of programmes for various community groups during this period.

CapeNature is proud to have hosted tens of thousands of people during Access Week over the past 10 years. Each year CapeNature offers a variety of community groups the opportunity to participate in facilitated programmes. Connections with nature are enhanced through a series of curated activities. In 2024, the Entity will be facilitating programmes for a range of groups including schools, senior citizens, youth, and non-profit community groups during the week. These programmes will include several steps that enable the participants to fully immerse themselves in nature through a guided sensory experience.

According to Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature, “It is incredibly important that all communities benefit from our nature reserves and have the opportunity to experience these incredible places. Access Week allows all of us, together with our family and friends, the opportunity to visit these wonderful and often unique conservation areas. The hope is that a better connection to nature promotes a deeper sense of care for the environment, and with that, the desire to protect it.”

Participating nature reserves range from the West Coast to the Winelands, Overberg, Garden Route and even the Klein Karoo and include:

WEST COAST: Bird Island, Cederberg Complex (Algeria, Kliphuis, Matjiesrivier), Rocherpan.

WINELANDS: Limietberg (excluding Tweede Tol Picnic Area), Hottentots Holland, Jonkershoek, Vrolijkheid.

OVERBERG: Kogelberg, De Mond, De Hoop, Marloth, Grootvadersbosch, Walker Bay, Geelkrans, Stony Point.

GARDEN ROUTE: Robberg, Keurbooms River, Goukamma, Outeniqua.

KAROO: Swartberg, Gamkaberg, Anysberg.

Moreover, the Entity will celebrate its tenth anniversary by giving away an all-expenses paid overnight trip to the value of R10 000 to one lucky visitor! To win this incredible trip visitors simply need to enter at any of the participating nature reserves (controlled access points only) during Access Week. A lucky draw at the end of Access Week will determine the winner which will be announced on the 4th of October 2024. The all-inclusive prize, includes fuel, food, and accommodation. To further reward participating visitors, the tenth permit issued at each reserve (controlled access points only) will receive a jam-packed CapeNature hamper.

The following are important to note when booking: Free access is only applicable to regular reserve hours and to entries at CapeNature reserve gates. Unfortunately, no free access will be given to those who book through the contact centre. No pre-bookings are necessary, although the maximum capacity availability applies to visitor walk-ins. The free access fee will pertain to general access, in other words, the conservation fee to include hiking, mountain biking and other day activities allowed. The waiver, unfortunately, does not apply to the Whale Trail, select landowners, partners, or concessions. It is also important to note that certain parts of participating nature reserves may be closed, and it is best to first check before arrival.

If groups are interested in facilitated access, they can contact the Learning and Awareness team at learning@capenature.co.za and for more information visit www.capenature.co.za. Terms and Conditions apply.