In celebration of Marine Protected Area Day, celebrated annually on August 1, CapeNature and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are proud to highlight their ongoing efforts to protect marine life through the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP) in the Western Cape’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

CapeNature is proud to announce that Die Plaat Beach, located within CapeNature’s Walker Bay Nature Reserve, just east of Hermanus, has been featured on Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious list of The Best Beaches in the World. The only beach in South Africa to be recognised among a list of 34 beaches worldwide.

CapeNature participated in the Boosmansbos Helihack to remove invasive species from the Duiwenhoks catchment in the Langeberg Strategic Water Source Area. The Helihack initiative is an extraordinary commitment by volunteers to rid catchments of the most difficult-to-manage invasive alien trees.

CapeNature conducted a mini freshwater fish survey through the Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust stewardship project at a site on the Touws River. The survey involved landowners from two properties, the Chanting Ridge stewardship site and Bellair.

Forge has been CapeNature's official digital mapping partner since 2021, ensuring visitors receive accurate and engaging maps during their stay at nature reserves. Forge's maps are hand-curated and updated in collaboration with CapeNature, reflecting changes in landscapes, infrastructure, and trail closures. The partnership also empowers visitors by bridging the gap between them and trail managers.

On 30 April 2024, CapeNature hosted a firefighters appreciation event at Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve to honour the brave men and women who were on the frontlines during the Western Cape’s fire season.

In the heart of Betty’s Bay lies the Stony Point African Penguin colony, a critical breeding ground for these beloved seabirds. This colony has become a beacon of hope thanks to the collaborative efforts of several key partners: CapeNature, SANCCOB, Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT)/African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-SA), and the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Together, these entities have implemented an integrated programme that has positively impacted the local penguin population.

The Cape mountain zebra known as GB42 has had an exciting year! In January, this stallion from Gamkaberg Nature Reserve sired a foal with genetic material from two of the three genetically distinct stocks of the species. In March, there was proof that 2023 was a busy year for GB42 after a second foal was born with genes from all three stocks.

On 19 December 2023, Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille handed over a multi-million Rand infrastructure maintenance project funded by the Department of Tourism at the Wolwekloof Resort to CapeNature. The scope of work entailed upgrading the existing pools, installing a new pool slide and installing new fencing to pools, construction of new braai areas and construction of walkways.

Rocherpan Nature Reserve enchanted us with its stark beauty over the Easter holidays.We stayed in the new Kingfisher cottage that, like all the other cottages, blends well with the environment, while boasting all the luxuries you’d need to have a comfortable yet eco-friendly stay.

CapeNature has partnered with Adventure Zone to introduce an exciting new way to enjoy the views from Robberg in Plettenberg Bay: abseiling the cliffs of the iconic nature reserve and World Heritage Site.

In February 2022 Walker Bay staff participated in a joint Operation Phakisa exercise. The operation focused on addressing the Off-Road Vehicle (ORVs) issues being experienced in the Walker Bay Complex and the Overberg region in general.