We are privileged to live in an area that has some of the most stunning and endangered biodiversity in the South Africa and the world. Within our area we have two protected areas that are owned by the the people of the City of Cape Town and run for the public good by The City of Cape Town Biodiversity department.
They are the Table Bay Nature Reserve which has its Main entrance at the southern end of Grey Avenue, Table View (Rietvlei Section). And we have the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve the main entrance of this reserve is the Eerste Steen Resort, Otto du Plessis Dr, Bloubergstrand. Just outside our area and within a short drive is the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve. This can be accessed via the reserves new office / visitor center at the Atlantis Dunes, Dassenberg Drive (R307), Atlantis
Table Bay Nature Reserve
The Table Bay Nature Reserve consists of seven parts: Rietvlei Wetlands, Milnerton Lagoon, Milnerton Beach, Milnerton Racecourse, Zoarvlei Wetlands, Diep River, and the Parklands Fynbos Corridor.
This 880-hectare reserve comprises a variety of permanent and seasonal wetlands and is surrounded by Cape Flats dune strandveld and Cape Flats sand fynbos vegetation.
The Rietvlei Wetland is in the floodplain of the Diep River between Milnerton and Table View that drains into Table Bay via the Milnerton Lagoon. The wetland offers a variety of habitats, including a permanent freshwater lake, shallow marshes that flood in winter, reed beds, a river, and an estuarine lagoon with salt marshes that is open to the sea. A strip of coastal dunes separates the reserve from Table Bay.
Opening hours
Reserve hours
Daily
07:30 to – 17:30
Water sports hours
Monday to Friday
10:00 – 17:00
Weekends
09:00 – 17:00
For more information please click on the link
Blaauwberg Nature Reserve
The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve has a spectacular view down fynbos slopes from Blaauwberg Hill, across the city, to seven kilometres of rocky, sandy coastline, the ocean and beyond. Blaauwberg Hill, is one of the few viewpoints in the world from where you can see two proclaimed World Heritage Sites, namely Table Mountain and Robben Island.
The reserve also offers the Montispectus self-catering unit, which you can hire out for a pleasant weekend getaway with family and friends.
Opening hours
Coastal section
Monday to Sunday
Sunrise to sunset
Eerste Steen braai and picnic facility
November to April
08:00 – 19:00
May to October
08:00 – 17:00
For more information click on the link
Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
The Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is famous for the Atlantis Dunes which cover 500 hectares of the reserve. It is a flora and fauna-rich landscape which is home to endangered Cape Flats dune strandveld and the critically endangered Atlantis sand fynbos as well as an abundance of wild life, including: steenbok, Cape grysbok, small grey mongoose, Cape dune mole rat and caracal. Below the surface, a large underground natural aquifer supplies the surrounding communities of Atlantis, Mamre and Pella with potable (drinking) water.
The reserve also offers 4×4 fun, quad biking and sand boarding.
Download the information pamphlet and posters for more information:
Witzands Aquifer Information Pamphlet
Posters
1 Landscape
2 Climate
3 Geology and soils
4 Cultural and Natural Heritage
5 Off-road and Environment
6 Vegetation
7 Mammals
8 Amphibians and Reptiles
9 Birds
For more information click on the link