TOURISM INFORMATION
The Pavillion (Civic Centre)
Tel +27 21 7879140
Fax +27 21 7879150
E-Mail
Website
Opening Hours
Summer: October to March
Mon to Fri 08:00 - 17:30
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays 09:00-13:00
Closed on Christmas Day
Winter April to September
Mon to Fri 08:00 -17:00
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays 09:00 - 13:00
If the City is hectic and you need a place to go to that's not too far away, you should definitely stay or at least visit the Zeekoevlei area.
The area is located east of the M5 route that takes you from the City centre to Muizenberg. This area is home to two nature reserves, Rondevlei and Zeekoevlei. Both quite unique places by anybody body's standards as just 20 minutes from the City centre you can see over 230 bird species and real live hippos!
Rondevlei Nature Reserve has a well established environmental and cultural heritage focus. Established in 1952, and surrounded by houses and coastal dunes, the reserve is home to an extensive vlei (marsh). There are numerous lookout points along a winding walkway in this bird watchers paradise. The quiet, natural surroundings attract the birds and the space given to their uninterrupted, carefree and protected existence is well taken care of and breath-taking. Nearly 230 different species can be seen there! 230 is more species than some countries have in total! Amongst them: White Pelican, Greater Flamingo, African Spoonbill and Caspian Tern. Once you've spotted all 230 species, Rondevlei is also a great place to go fishing. Here you can fish for carp. Boat rides and guided walks are a steady and calm way to explore the Reserve and an overnight stay is also possible. What a great retreat for busy city slickers, right here in the City!
Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve has a water area of approximately 225ha, and achieved Local Area Nature Reserve status in 2000. Zeekoeivlei is also utilized by locals as a popular sailing spot. The vlei, especially near the Strandfontein Sewage Works, is also a birder's paradise with a large variety of waterbirds including Pelicans, Flamingoes, Sandpipers, Herons, Oystercatchers and Gulls.
