Hey kids. Today Siya the Orange-breasted Sunbird shows Kai just how special the Western Cape is. Find out about our beautiful fynbos by checking out this short version of the story or click here to download the full story.

It’s officially camp season, so get excited! The weather is warming up, the skies are brighter, and we’re ready to welcome you to camp with us at a CapeNature reserve this season!

CapeNature is excited to announce the launch of South Africa's first slow hiking trail at the beautiful De Mond Nature Reserve, just a stone’s throw from the historic seaside town of Arniston. The Damara Trail is a new immersive experience in nature and invites visitors to slow down and enjoy the environment at a leisurely pace. Launched in celebration of World Tourism Day, held annually on 27 September, the trail embraces this year’s theme of peace.

Recent research highlights the significant impact of waste on the Western Cape coastline, with pollution affecting popular beaches and marine ecosystems. Reports indicate that several beaches along the 307 km coastline, including Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, have consistently failed to meet minimum water quality guidelines. This pollution harms local wildlife and threatens the health and safety of residents and tourists. Efforts to manage waste effectively are crucial to preserving the region's environmental integrity.

The Whale Festival in Hermanus is an annual celebration to showcase the town’s unique coastal beauty, marine life, and environmental conservation efforts. The festival aims to raise awareness about whale conservation, promote sustainable tourism, and provide an engaging and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages. The event will span over a weekend from 27 September to 29 September and is always a major crowd puller for the Overstrand region.

The West Coast is a magical place during flower season, transforming into a vibrant tapestry of blooming colours and intoxicating scents. This September, immerse yourself in this natural wonder by exploring Rocherpan Nature Reserve - just 25 km north of Velddrif. This gem offers eco-friendly accommodation, breathtaking scenery, and a pristine private beach. The reserve's local pan is a haven for birdwatchers, featuring majestic pink flamingos against a stunning backdrop, perfect for your photo album.

CapeNature and Captain Fanplastic are teaming up to redefine environmental education through an immersive and impactful five-tier waste education program for primary school pupils. This collaboration is a testament to ongoing creative strategies and strong partnerships, which drive impactful environmental change.

CapeNature is proud to announce the launch of its new podcast and video series, Green Noise, for World Tourism Day, September 27, 2024. The series aims to create a bold and impactful platform to explore the intersection of nature, conservation, and tourism, celebrating the rich biodiversity of the Western Cape while fostering critical conversations about sustainability, ecotourism, and community empowerment.

A major conservation milestone was reached with the successful translocation of Cape mountain zebras (CMZ) to Zebraskop. This project aimed to mix three CMZ lineages—Gamkaberg, Kammanassie, and Cradock. After delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and several logistical challenges, the operation was finally completed on September 6, 2024.

Ferrets (Mustela furo) are becoming increasingly popular as “pets” in South Africa. Relatively new to our country, people who are adventurous in choosing a furry friend have shown an interest in ferrets. However, there are several reasons why they do not make ideal pets.

7 September 2024 is International Vulture Awareness Day, and CapeNature will be celebrating all vultures everywhere but especially the Cape Vultures that call De Hoop Nature Reserve home.

The Convention on Wetlands is a global intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. South Africa, together with almost 90% of United Nations member states from all the world’s geographic regions, have agreed to become “Contracting Parties” committing to designating sites as Wetlands of International Importance.