Rocherpan is a coastal nature reserve teeming with birds and colourful wildflowers.
Please note that we are currently operating subject to Alert Level 3 National Lockdown regulations. Daily capacities are in place and to avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend that hikers book permits on booking.capenature.co.za as online bookings will be given preference. You can also book with our Contact Centre before leaving home. Call 087 087 8250 or email reservation.alert@capenature.co.za. Please note that gate times are from 09:00 to 18:00. For all the details on what is permitted and what is not at CapeNature reserves under Alert Level 3 restrictions, please click here. The safety of our visitors and staff remains paramount. All visitors entering a controlled CapeNature reserve entrance gate will be subjected to a screening process upon arrival. Your continued support in complying with the national regulations and guidelines is much appreciated.
Rocherpan is a coastal nature reserve teeming with birds and colourful wildflowers. The reserve, which lies 25km north of Velddrif on the Cape West Coast, consists largely of a seasonal vlei that is usually dry between March and June. Rocherpan was established as a nature reserve (930 hectares in size) in 1966, and the adjacent section of the Atlantic Ocean was declared a marine reserve in 1988 (150 hectares in size).
Rocherpan had a fortuitous start, when farmer Pierre Rocher arrived in this area in 1839 looking for improved summer grazing for his livestock. Rocher and his workers closed off the mouth of Papkuils River, forcing it to flow behind the dunes that separate the sandveld from the sea. This inadvertently created a perfect habitat for water birds, and the local species have thrived ever since. Along the coast you’ll see the rare and endangered black oystercatcher, the kelp gull and the Cape shoveller.
Rocherpan currently has eight eco-cabins available to be booked for accommodation, with the four newest cabins having just opened. Click here to download a map of the reserve to see where the cabins, pan, beach, and hiking trails are. Please call our reservations office to make your booking.
Video by The Good Holiday
Rocherpan lies 25 km north of Velddrif on the coastal road. Velddrif can be reached on the West Coast Road (R27), that starts in Cape Town and takes you through Milnerton before running along the coast through Bloubergstrand, Melkbosstrand and Langebaan.
GPS: 32 36 53.47 S 18 18 6.73 E
Office hours: 08:00–16:00
Please report to reception on arrival. Check-in times for overnight guests, strictly 14h00 to 16h00. Note that the Covid-19 related check–in takes at least 15 minutes per guest group. Late arrivals will not be accepted.
Tel: +27 (0)79 203 1092
Emergency number: +27 (0)82 070 1873
Accommodation and permit bookings Tel: 087 087 8250
What our guests say
Coot, Moorhen, Egret and Shoveler are the four newer double bedroom cabins available at Rocherpan Nature Reserve.
Each cabin has one double bed, two single beds and two single daybeds. Bedding and towels are provided. These cabins sleep a maximum of six persons.
Electricity: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes, with a solar geyser, shower and waterless toilet
Kitchen: Gas stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans
Bedding, linen and towels: Yes
Fireplace: Closed combustion indoor fireplace and outside braai
Universal access: Yes
Pets welcome: No
Please note that tap water at the reserve should be boiled before consumption. Reception does stock bottled water for sale to guests. The reserve office only stocks limited firewood for sale. Guests are advised to confirm with the office ahead of time if they need firewood.
Sleeping two adults comfortably on a double bed and a maximum of two children on a double futon, the cottage is well-equipped with modern amenities and facilities. The private deck, overlooking the reserve, is a great place to relax.
Electricity: Yes
Bathroom: Shower (solar-powered geyser) and eco-friendly waterless toilet
Kitchen: Gas stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans
Bedding, linen and towels: Yes
Fireplace: Yes, a braai grid is provided
Disabled access: No
Pets welcome: No
Sleeping two adults comfortably on a double bed and a maximum of two children on a double futon, Oystercatcher Cottage is well-equipped for a comfortable stay with modern amenities and facilities. Keen birders will enjoy the easy access to the reserve’s bird hides and bird spotting can also be done from the comfort of the private deck overlooking the reserve.
Electricity: Yes
Bathroom: Shower (solar-powered geyser) and eco-friendly waterless toilet
Kitchen: Gas stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans
Bedding, linen and towels: Yes
Fireplace: Yes, a braai grid is provided
Disabled access: No
Pets welcome: No
Equipped with all of the modern amenities needed for a comfortable stay, Kingfisher Cottage’s private deck overlooking the reserve and easy access to the bird hides will appeal to birders of all ages. The cottage sleeps four people – two adults on a double bed and two children on a double futon.
Electricity: Yes
Bathroom: Shower (solar-powered geyser) and eco-friendly waterless toilet
Kitchen: Gas stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans
Bedding, linen and towels: Yes
Fireplace: Yes, a braai grid is provided
Disabled access: No
Pets welcome: No
Carefully constructed to blend in with the environment and offering spacious and airy accommodation, Flamingo Cottage offers direct access to the reserve’s bird hides, as well as armchair bird watching from the deck of the cabin. All of the modern amenities needed for a comfortable stay are included. The cottage sleeps four people – two adults on a double bed and two children on a double futon.
Electricity: Yes
Bathroom: Shower (solar-powered geyser) and eco-friendly waterless toilet
Kitchen: Gas stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans
Bedding, linen and towels: Yes
Fireplace: Yes, a braai grid is provided
Disabled access: No
Pets welcome: No
Walking and Hiking
Rocherpan has two short hiking trails, one along the beach and one along the vlei. Both offer stunning views and the chance to see the area’s rich birdlife. There are two well-laid hiking paths through the reserve. Both are relatively easy walks taking no longer than four hours each.
Permits
Permits may be purchased for R50 per adult and R30 per child at the reserve office or through CapeNature Central Reservations.
Trail preparation
Rocherpan Trail
Trail distance: 9km
Estimated time: 3–4 hours return
This is a gentle walk along the pan. The soils harden as you make your way across the reserve. Start early in summer, as the day heats up quickly.
Beach Trail
Trail distance: 7km
Estimated time: 3 hours return
This is a lovely walk to the lookout point and back along the beach. We recommend you take a picnic basket to enjoy at the point. In summer, it is best to hike early in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
Rocherpan is perfect for birders. The combination of land, vlei and sea provides ample breeding and feeding habitats for a variety of birds. A total of 183 species have been recorded, of which about 70 are water birds. White pelicans and greater and lesser flamingos, all of which are endangered, are often seen at Rocherpan. Ostriches also live on the flats surrounding the vlei.
Rocherpan is one of the Cape shoveller’s most important breeding and moulting sites. The reserve provides a sanctuary for Southern Africa’s second-rarest coastal bird, the African black oystercatcher.
Rocherpan has three bird hides. Two are located on the South-western side of the vlei, and one is on the North-western side. Fetch a bird list and map from the reserve main office or download the bird list here.
Bird Hide 1
Bird Hide 2
The interior of bird hide 2
The kind of views you can expect
Two rivers, the Papkuils and the Sout, flow into the reserve. Although Rocherpan Nature Reserve was originally established because of the conservation value of this seasonal vlei and its importance for birds, the reserve also offers protection to several other species. It is one of only two locations where the critically endangered aquatic plant, the Cape horned pondweed, is known to survive.
Rocherpan is dominated by the large central vlei and a 4.7km stretch of sandy Atlantic coastline, of which the southern 3km, and the area 500m seaward is a marine protected area. It offers protection to diverse marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats.
What a lovely, friendly welcome we received from Libby at reception when we booked into our beautiful chalet, Coot. We lacked for nothing and Tania and Callum came to check to see if there was anything we might need over and above what we had. They were both very informative and highly knowledgeable about the vegetation, wildlife and area. There were lovely, well maintained trails to walk and or cycle on plus a lovely area to braai under shady trees and spotlessly clean amenities - not a single sighting of pollution/garbage in sight. The beach walks were to die for and to end our days, we would go up to the top of the dunes and enjoy our sundowners and watch the sun set and as the sun dropped behind the horizon, we would go back to our cosy chalet and sit in front of a warm fireplace while our meat was braaing on the deck. The eco toilets were impressive - so clean and aroma free.
We also spent hours just watching a whale and her baby frolicking in the sparkling sea surrounded by dancing dolphins-what an absolute treat! We spent 5 glorious days in this little paradise and cannot wait to return especially when the pan has water in it even though that isn't a top priority.
Thank you Cape Nature for maintaining our beautiful country and having such dedicated, loyal people holding everything together.
[…] I love living in the Western Cape, we can drive 2 hours in any direction and have a totally different experience. From the (glorious!) winelands on our doorstep to beautiful coastal roads, mountain passes and arid small Karoo. You name it, we’re pretty likely to have it! The West Coast is roughly a 2-hour drive from where we live. What would be better than being holed up on the coast for a weekend? You could enjoy some red wine in front of a roaring fireplace and take in the beautiful views! It’s not badly priced at R850 per self-catering unit per night! Find out more on the Cape Nature website. […]
We have just spent 2 nights here and we can only say good things about the place. We have never stayed in such a clean self catering bungalow - ever! The staff were very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately the pan was dry because of the drought, so there were no water birds at all. There were plenty of the normal birds one finds in the bush. The bungalow was very well positioned and the interior, well thought out. We would recommend this place to anyone wanting a quiet few days away. There is also a swimming pool and the beach and sea are not far away.
Loved it!
My husband and I were looking to totally unwind. Spent the weekend at Rocherpan Nature Reserve - Oystercatcher.
It was so nice, quiet, tranquil. Good value for money. The weather was mid-twenties that weekend, so it was pleasant.
The cottage was super clean, well equipped, nice finishes, enough room for 2/3 people. The kitchen is just a little short on counter space to work....however it has all the amenities, and the best part about that space is that you get to look out at the view from all angles.
I was a little anxious as to what the eco-friendly toilet was going to be like....my husband found it very funny and was ready with the camera. But, ladies I can say that my experience was good, I was pleasantly surprised. Follow the instructions, use the fan...and you'r a-for-away. A change is good every now/then....besides, you'r doing your bit for the environment....that's a thumbs up in my books.
It's a small nature reserve, staff are friendly. Go there to relax, take a walk in the reserve, go to the beach, ride a bike. The best is reading a book and looking at the beautiful sunset.
Will definitely be back again...looking forward to winter when the pan is full and the birds congregate.
Really good accommodation , big thanks to staff who keep the reserve in such great shape. Would highly recommend if you wanted to recharge your soul.
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How do you want to get involved?
Bookings are processed through our Call Centre during office hours Monday to Friday 07h30 to 16h30 and Saturday 08h00 until 12h00 noon (CAT).
Our friendly tourism booking officers will take you through the booking process and answer all enquiries.