Free entry to nature reserves on Heritage Day

Cape Town residents will have free access to selected City-run nature reserves on Heritage Day, Wednesday, September 24.

The City manages 16 reserves and conservation areas across the metro, protecting biodiversity and offering hiking trails, picnic spots, and braai facilities. 

On Heritage Day, residents can enjoy free entry to four sites that usually charge an access fee: Table Bay, Blaauwberg, Tygerberg, and Helderberg nature reserves.

Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, encouraged residents to explore the city’s natural heritage.

“We are so privileged to be surrounded by pristine natural beauty. This Heritage Day, we encourage residents to make the most of the public holiday by exploring their local nature reserve - or even visiting one they have not experienced before for a hike, a braai or a family picnic,” he said.

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve’s Eerste Steen Resort and False Bay Nature Reserve’s Zeekoevlei section were highlighted as popular braai spots.

Normal fees will still apply for specific recreational activities such as fishing or guided tours.See below a list of the nature reserve facilities residents can choose from:

• Blaauwberg Nature Reserve. Location: Eerste Steen Resort, Otto du Plessis Drive (M14), north of Bloubergstrand

• Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve. Location: Border of Visserhof, Bosmansdam and Potsdam roads, Bothasig

• Botterblom Nature Reserve. Location: Botterblom Road, Vierlanden, Durbanville

• Bracken Nature Reserve. Location: 2 Reservoir Road, Brackenfell

• Durbanville Nature Reserve. Location: Racecourse Road, Durbanville

• Edith Stephens Nature Reserve. Location: Govan Mbeki Road, Philippi (off Jakes Gerwel Drive)

• False Bay Nature Reserve. Location: Rondevlei Section: Corner of Perth Road and Fisherman’s Walk, Grassy Park / Zeekoevlei

Location: Zeekoevlei Section: 01 Shoreline Drive, Zeekoevlei. Harmony Flats Nature Reserve

Location: 11th Avenue, Strand. Helderberg Nature Reserve

Location: Verster Avenue, Somerset West. Steenbras Nature Reserve

Location: Faure Marine Drive (R44), about 9 km from Gordon's Bay. Table Bay Nature Reserve

Location: Main entrance is at the southern end of Grey Avenue, Table View (Rietvlei Section). Tygerberg Nature Reserve. Location: Totius Street, Welgemoed. Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve

Location: Mosselbank Road, Durbanville. Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve.Atlantis Dunes, Dassenberg Drive (R307), Atlantis

• Wolfgat Nature Reserve. Location: Baden Powell Drive, Mitchells Plain.  Location: 5 Pyrenees Road, Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain (Wolfgat Multipurpose Environmental Education Centre)

• Zandvlei Nature Reserve. Location: Coniston Avenue, Marina Da Gama, Steenberg