NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

A National Park within city limits. Enough said.

Every major city in the world has its parks, and seaside towns across the globe can surely boast a clean strip of beach or commanding urban forest. But few human centres in the world can come close to matching Cape Town's array of locations and activities relating to the natural environment and its fauna and flora.

From the nature trails of the mountain complex itself to the Peninsula’s bird and sea life – not to mention that is it the setting of the coun­try's most famous Botanical Garden, Kirstenbosch – there's an absolute surfeit of attractions for lovers of the natural world.

Indeed, Cape Town is defined by a close connection to its organic environment. All this adds up to a city that has others, unable to match its ecological charms, green with envy.

CAPE TOWN CENTRAL

Whether you like to see Table Mountain geologically or mythologically (the Portuguese poet Camoens believed the mountain was Adamastor, a Titan struck down by Jupiter for rebellion), historically, imaginatively or psychologically (the reason for the residents’ laid-back attitude), Capetonians certainly do a lot with it – and so can you!

You can walk, climb, bike, abseil, hang-glide or be whisked up the 1086 metres via the elegant Swiss-designed Rotair cable car for a panoramic view of Table Bay. Even in clear, warm weather take a sweater or windbreaker, as it tends to be cool at this altitude. Once on top, viewing decks suspend visitors over the edge of the mountain for wonderful photographic opportunities. You can walk, shop, use telescopes, take photos, and eat at the restaurant Tel: + 27 (0)21 424 8181. Remember to follow the handy hints on page 18.

The Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront, with its more than 300 species of marine life, demonstrates the rich biodiversity of Cape oceans. The impressive exhibits captivate visitors for hours Tel: + 27 (0)21 418 3823. Travelling along the Atlantic Seaboard, whether by road along the M6 or by luxury boat, visitors could encounter playful dolphins.

CAPE TOWN EAST

The Helderberg mountain range offers a wonderful array of hiking and walking trails, bird watching and picnic and braai opportunities.

Activities at Strand’s beaches range from land-based fishing to cool surfing spots and sunset boat cruises.

Lookout Hill, a 360º look out point with panoramic views of the Cape Flats and surrounding mountains – from Table Mountain, South Peninsula range, False Bay, Hottentots Holland, Helderberg and Stellenbosch – is situated close to the Mitchells Plain entrance to Khayelitsha.

Birds are abundant in the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West and over the years some 169 species have been recorded. A complete bird list and guide are available at the Maskew Miller Information Centre in the reserve. Several species of small antelope also occur in the reserve, and bontebok have been re-introduced. The natural vegetation of the reserve consists largely of mountain fynbos, and there are several walks through the variety of indigenous species Tel: + 27 (0)21 851 4060.

The Kogelberg Nature Reserve is now managed according to the internationally accepted principles of a biosphere reserve. It is often considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, because of the exceptional quality of its fynbos. To obtain details about permits, hiking trails and canoeing Tel: + 27 (0)21 659 3500.

The Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary, has a bird hide for ornithologists and keen photographers Tel: + 27 (0) 21 852 3883 and Monkey Town boasts 24 species of monkey and chimpanzees, all roaming freely in a leafy park Tel: + 27 (0)21 858 1060.

The Cape Garden Centre is the largest garden centre in South Africa. It has a restaurant, play park for children, various rides, puppet shows and a petting zoo facility for children's parties Tel: +27 (0)21 988 4137.

Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre is the only place in Cape Town that is home to giraffe, hippo, rhino and buffalo, as well as over 50 other types of African animals Tel: +27 (0)21 884 4506.

CAPE TOWN NORTH

BLAAUWBERG

Intaka Island, a 16-hectare wetland conservation reserve at Century City, is home to more than 120 bird species, 70 of which are seen regularly. For intrepid birders, there is a bird hide from which to view the dozens of breeding pairs of water birds. Tel: + 27 (0)21 552 6889.

Koeberg Nature Reserve is located just off the R27, in Melkbosstrand. The visitors centre provides interesting information on the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station as well as route guides for the two walking trails in the reserve, where visitors can view a range of fauna and flora. Entrance is free Tel: + 27 (0)21 553 2466.

Rietvlei Nature Reserve, located off Pentz Drive, Table View, is a wetland area perfect for viewing a diverse range of bird species including large flocks of flamingos and pelicans. Visitors can also canoe and water-ski on the lagoon Tel: + 27 (0)21 557 5509.

SANCCOB is dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of sea birds and is an interesting and informative place to visit for the whole family Tel: + 27 (0)21 557 6155.

West Coast Ostrich Ranch, off the N7 in Philadelphia, offers guided tours. The ranch also has a boma that can be hired for functions and a fantastic restaurant Tel: + 27 (0)21 976 1669.

The Mamre Wild Flower Show takes place each spring Tel: +27 (0)21 521 1080, while the Local Environmental Community Festival takes place annually Tel: +27 (0)21 576 1579 or 521 1080.

Tsoga Environmental Centre in Langa involves the local community in projects like food gardens, street cleaning and recycling. It is found in Washington Street – one of the longest streets in Langa Tel: + 27 (0)21 694 0010.

TYGERBERG

The Tygerberg Nature Reserve, spanning 278ha, protects the threatened West Coast renosters veld, coastal and mountain fynbos. It has more than 7km of walking trails and is a bird lover’s paradise, with a total of 130 bird species Tel: + 27 (0)21913 5695.

The Durbanville Nature Reserve also protects the threatened West Coast renosters veld, and includes species like Aristea lugens (from the Iridacea family) and Serruria brownii.

Birdwatchers will enjoy the unusual species like the Red Bishop. Picnics are allowed in the reserve, and guided walks can be arranged Tel: + 27 (0)21 970 3097.

The Durbanville Rose Garden offers beautiful sights when its 800 rose varieties are in bloom Tel: + 27 (0)21 976 4497.

Clara Anna Fontein in Durbanville offers a taste of wild Africa in the city – it's only 20 minutes, drive from the V&A Waterfront. On your game drive, you’ll see a variety of animals including blue wildebeest, springbok, bontebok, zebra, eland and many more. This is Cape Town’s only luxury tented camp Tel: +27 (0)21 975 7017.

CAPE TOWN SOUTH

CAPE FLATS

Philippi: The Edith Stephens Wetland Park is home to 37 bird species and a variety of reptiles. It is,  however, the fern-like plant, Isoetes, which has its origins in the Coal Age (200-million years ago), that is a unique feature, as this plant is found only in this wetland Tel: + 27 (0) 21 691 3547.

Grassy Park: Rondevlei offers a unique eco-experience in Cape Town,  with extensive bird and mammal life. It is also the only reserve in the Western Cape with a hippo population. Facilities include a museum, waterside trail with six bird hides, aquarium, a live reptile display, boat trips, carp fishing and an overnight bush camp Tel: + 27 (0)21 706 2404.

FALSE BAY

Wolfgat to Simon’s Town: The Wolfgat Nature Reserve boasts the spectacular limestone cliffs of Swarklip, which serve as the mainland breeding site of the Southern Blackbacked gull Tel: + 27 (0)21 371 5141.

A sewage farm for bird watching is probably not a willing choice for many. The Strandfontein Waste Water Works is,  however, possibly the best waterbird locality, with more than 80 species including flamingo’s and pelicans Tel: + 27 (0)21 396 1060.

Muizenberg,  with its long stretch of sandy beach, has become a popular place for nature lovers.  It is the Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve with its rich diversity of marine and bird life that attracts the nature lover. The vlei is home to fresh- water species such as carp and catfish, and the estuary serves as a nursery for marine species such as White Stumpnose and Steenbras Tel: + 27 (0)21 701 7542.

Park Island is an excellent birding site with a wide variety of common residents and some rare species as well Tel: + 27 (0)21 701 7542. The delicate Erica urnaviridis (Little Green Urn) is found only in the Muizenberg Mountains. A couple of these rare plants can also be seen in the gardens of Rhodes Cottage Tel: + 27 (0)21 788 1816.

St James and Kalk Bay’s scenic drive, Boyes Drive, has excellent viewing sites, particularly popular during the Whale Season (June to November).

Spectacular views across False   Bay and the coastline ensure great whale viewing, as well as sightings of the Great White shark. It is from Boyes Drive that shark-spotters sound the alarm if a shark gets too close to shore; but sharks here don’t get the bad press they do elsewhere. In fact, in 1991, South Africa became the first country in the world to protect the Great White shark.

Fish Hoek’s Silvermine River Wetlands is home to the Leopard Toad. The toad is endemic to the Cape Flats and Southern   Peninsula and breeds for only 10 days of the year. August is breeding time, when the toads migrate to the wetlands during this period.  Volunteers monitor the numbers and are happy to share information with visitors Tel: Evanne Rothwell + 27 (0)21 782 6144.

Simon’s Town is home to one of the few land-based penguin colonies in the world and has become a major tourist attraction. Situated at Boulders (part of the Table Mountain   National Park), there is a sanctuary for the African penguin. The main colony can be found at Foxy Beach and is reached by a bridle path along the shore-line. A boardwalk extends onto the beach to allow visitors a close encounter with this protected bird species Tel: + 27 (0)21 786 2329.

ATLANTIC SEABOARD

Cape Point,  situated within the Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park, has a large variety of pelagic birds,  small herds of zebra and eland, reptiles and small mammals. The chacma baboon is often sighted, especially at the Point. The marine life off both coastlines differs quite dramatically because of the contrasting sea temperatures Tel: +  27 (0)21 780 9010.

Kommetjie,  Noordhoek and Scarborough, situated on the Atlantic side of the Peninsula, have a large variety of sea birds and marine life. The exceptionally shy Cape Clawless otter is found (but not often) at Schuster’s Bay at Scarborough. Kommetjie is well known for its commercially fished crayfish (Cape Rock Lobster).

There is always a variety of seabirds to marvel on this stretch of coast, but it is The World of Birds, in Hout Bay, with over 3 000 bird species, monkeys, and other small animals in walk-in enclosures that makes it one of the most popular eco-attractions in Cape Town South Tel: +  27 (0)21 790 2730.

SOUTHERN SUBURBS

Table Mountain National Park stretches southwards from Signal Hill in the city centre to the tip of the Peninsula.  It is truly a park for all, situated in the heart of a thriving metropolis and preserving the rich biodiversity of flora and fauna for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The Cape Floral Kingdom is recognised internationally for its incredible plant diversity – much of Cape Town’s plant kingdom is contained within the Park. The Peninsula itself has more than 2 000 plant species – more than the entire British Isles. The Hoerikwaggo (Mountain of the Sea)  trails take visitors from the city centre along the hiking trails, of the Table Mountain Chain, and ending at the tip of the Peninsula,  Cape Point. Accommodation is offered in beautiful tented camps and hikes (ranging from two to six days) are guided, fully catered and portaged Tel: + 27 (0)21 465 8515/9.

From relatively humble beginnings as a boundary hedge of wild almond and brambles, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden became the first botanical garden in the world to be established (in 1913) to protect local flora. Today it is world famous and a key visitor attraction,  home only to indigenous species. A large greenhouse, several walking trails,  vast expanses of lawn ideal for picnics and, in summer, live Sunday evening concerts are some of Kirstenbosch’s many attractions. Cape Town Tourism’s Visitor Information Centre located at the main entrance, is an ideal stop for information about what’s on or to get your Wild Card Tel: + 27 (0)21 799 8783.

Bergvliet’s Die Oog Bird Sanctuary and Nature Reserve provide sanctuary for ducks, herons and kingfishers and a major roosting site for cattle egret, sacred ibis, hadeda ibis and reed cormorant. Die Oog consists of a dam (built in about 1745), a unique area of granite fynbos and a wet breeding area for the endagered Leopard Toad. There is a recreation area open to the public Tel: + 27 (0)21 712 1314.

The Constantia Valley Greenbelt consists of nine interlinked walking trails. Excellent maps are available and most trails take between 30 and 45 minutes’. The Silvermine section of Table   Mountain National   Park is host to a rich variety of bird and animal life. Off the scenic Ou Kaapse Weg, it is a favourite with families, hikers and mountain climbers Tel: + 27 (0)21 789 2456.

The Tokai Forest Arboretum, established in 1885, is a National Monument, with a variety of trees including large Californian Redwoods and oaks. It is a popular hiking spot and mountain biking route Tel: + 27 (0)21 712 7471.