Rondevlei Nature Reserve, or now known as the False Bay Nature Reserve – Rondevlei Section, is a conserved wetland functional largely as a bird sanctuary. The reserve is also home to a small population of Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) – the only place around Cape Town where you can see Africa’s deadliest large mammal!
Located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.Find Rondevlei Nature Reserve on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
Rondevlei, referring to a round lake in Afrikaans, was established back in 1952 to protect the natural wetlands of the Cape Flats. The 290-hectare reserve is managed by the City of Cape Town, and access is via the main gate during controlled hours.
The main focus at Rondevlei is birdwatching. Roughly 230 species have been recorded here, but on a very good day, you may count around 70 different bird species. Two tall observation towers provide brilliant overviews to the reserve, and several bird hides allow keen birders to sit in secrecy and observe the comings and goings of life in the wetlands.
With a well-established footpath and an informative visitor centre, Rondevlei is an excellent reserve to take young children or someone who’s never birdwatched before.
Red-knobbed Coot are frequently seen on the water and occasional visits from the majestic African Fish Eagle would certainly make the highlights reel. Along the banks one often sees pelicans, herons and cormorants making use of the dead trees in the water. A diving Malachite Kingfisher is a lovely sight! In the fynbos Cape Robin-chat, Southern double-collared sunbird and Cape Spurfowl feel at home.
The Hippos often keep to themselves on the far southern reed bank, but you’ll definitely see their footprints in the soft sand around the bird hides. They feed around the water, looking for juicy shoots and grasses and are most active at night.
Small mammals include among others Cape Grysbok (a fynbos endemic), Cape grey mongoose, porcupine, as well as caracal and Cape clawless otter. Apart from the mongoose however, the others are typically quite elusive as the caracal, porcupine and grysbok are nocturnal and the otter is most active at dawn and dusk.
If your eyesight is extremely good you might notice the resident Cape dwarf chameleons moving about in the fynbos. These colour changing reptiles are on the lookout for flies, grasshoppers and other insects to shoot out its tongue with bulls-eye precision.
The reserve also protects endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos as well as Cape Flats Dune Strandveld vegetation types, along with wetland plant species.
Nearby bodies of fresh water include Princess Vlei, Zeekoevlei and Zandvlei which also support a large number of aquatic species and are teeming in birdlife.
Rondevlei Nature Reserve is located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
Open 7 Days a week
Distance from Cape Town: 22km
Where: Perth Rd & Fishermens Walk, Zeekoei Vlei
Contact: Bronwen Foster at +27 21 400 9593 or at [email protected]
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.