Cape Town opens nature reserves for FREE this long weekend
The City of Cape Town will be offering free access to all nature reserves this long weekend. Here's where to go...
Cape Town residents have a rare chance to explore some of the city’s top nature reserves for free this weekend – but only for a limited time.
The City of Cape Town has announced free entry to its reserves as part of the annual City Nature Challenge, running from Friday, 24 April to Monday, 27 April 2026.
Which nature reserves are free to visit this weekend
The City Nature Challenge is a global event that encourages people to get outdoors and record wildlife in their area.
Residents are invited to snap photos of plants, animals and insects, and upload them to the iNaturalist app, where experts help identify the species. Cape Town will compete with cities around the world to record the most wildlife observations.
Free access applies to a wide range of nature reserves across the metro, including:
- Blaauwberg Nature Reserve
- Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve
- Botterblom Nature Reserve
- Bracken Nature Reserve
- Durbanville Nature Reserve
- Edith Stephens Nature Reserve
- False Bay Nature Reserve
- Harmony Flats Nature Reserve
- Helderberg Nature Reserve
- Steenbras Nature Reserve
- Table Bay Nature Reserve
- Tygerberg Nature Reserve
- Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve
- Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
- Wolfgat Nature Reserve
- Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve
How to take part
Getting involved is simple:
- Download the iNaturalist app
- Head outdoors, whether it’s a reserve, park or even your backyard
- Take photos of any wildlife you find
- Upload your observations to the app
Even small discoveries count, from birds and insects to shells or feathers.
The challenge isn’t just about competition. It also helps scientists and conservationists better understand local biodiversity.
Cape Town is known for its rich natural environment, and events like this give residents a chance to engage with it hands-on.
So, whether you decide to venture out for a walk through fynbos, spot birdlife, or explore coastal ecosystems, there’s plenty to see, and now, no entry fee to worry about.
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