It’s the festive season, baby! And for many families across South Africa, that means packing the boogie boards and hiking boots and heading out of town. CapeNature reserves are naturally a first choice for family vacations over the festive season, and we want to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Black Friday is on its way, and you won’t want to miss our incredible deals! We’ll meet you back here at the stroke of midnight on Thursday, 28 November to find out more!

From April 2023 to March 2024, CapeNature responded to 89 wildfires, which burned an area of approximately 73 671 hectares, of which 22 762 hectares were on Entity managed land.

The public is urged to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines during the upcoming summer holiday season when encountering Cape fur seals. These marine mammals are an integral part of our coastal ecosystem, but it is crucial to recognise that human-wildlife interactions can have severe consequences.

The charismatic true chameleons belong to the family Chamaeleonidae and are found throughout much of Africa, Madagascar, southern Spain, southern India, Sri Lanka and the southern Arabian Peninsula. There are more than 160 species globally, which belong to eight genera. The South African endemic genus of Dwarf Chameleons Bradypodion (meaning “slow-

Join CapeNature and SANCCOB for an unforgettable day at the annual Penguin Palooza on Saturday, October 26, 2024! Set in the beautiful Stony Point Nature Reserve, this free event starts at 10:00 and is dedicated to raising awareness about the Endangered African Penguin. This year, the event will see two lucky people win the opportunity to release a penguin back into the wild. The public is encouraged to enter this incredible competition and will need to enter on the day of the event. Entries will close 30 minutes prior to the release.

A new and healthy sub-population of the Critically Endangered, Northern moss frog was recently discovered in the far south of the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area during a targeted biodiversity survey. With a maximum size of only 14mm, the Northern moss frog, Arthroleptella subvoce, was previously known from only three locations in South Africa, all within the mountains of the Groot Winterhoek Reserve and Wilderness Area.

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.

CapeNature has taken the difficult decision to close its much loved and popular Algeria campsite in the Cederberg Complex for an extended period following devastating flood events in 2023 and 2024. The rest of the Cederberg Complex remains open, including accommodation and hiking trails.

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 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 celebrates its 10^th annual Access Week between the 21^st and 27^th of September 2024 this year. The public is invited to access any one of 24 selected Provincial nature reserves across the Western Cape for free during this time. Visitors will be allowed day entry at no cost to enjoy activities such as hiking, bird watching, swimming and mountain biking. CapeNature will also be facilitating a variety of programmes for various community groups during this period.