Rondevlei Nature Reserve

Rondevlei Nature Reserve is a bird-lover's paradise. It is an important wetlands area and forms part of the larger False Bay Ecology Park. There are at 237 bird species, including Herons, Ibises, Pelicans and Weavers.

Hippos have been reintroduced – although they are very shy, but keep your eyes open and you may just be lucky. There are 20 other mammal species as well, including Grysbok, Porcupine, Cape Clawless Otter and Small Spotted Genet. Nine species of frog have been recorded and twenty-nine species of reptiles.

Rondevlei is home to at least 278 species of indigenous plants, including rare and endangered plants such as the Rondevlei Spiderhead (Serruria aemula foeniculaceae) and the Cape Flats Erica (Erica verticillata).

Boat trips & bush camp

Rondevlei also offers boat trips and an overnight island bush camp. The bush camp is run by Imvubu Nature Tours – +27 21 706 0842.

Wheelchair access at Rondevlei

Rondevlei is well-run and easily accessible to wheelchairs. Bird hides have been designed with wheelchair users in mind. However, one or two of the bird hides are somewhat tricky to reach unless you are a more able wheelchair user or have a friend with you.

Footpaths are accessible but the surface is rubbery and wheels tend to stick, which makes pushing a wheelchair on them somewhat tiring. There is talk of paving the footpaths in the near future.

The museum, aquarium and picnic areas are entirely accessible and there is an accessible toilet. It is only the lookout towers that are not accessible to wheelchair users.

Contact

• Name: Rondevlei Nature Reserve
• Tel: +27 21 706 2404
• Email: rondevleinaturereserve@capetown.gov.za
• Web: www.rondevlei.co.za
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-5pm (7 days a week)
• Entrance fee: Per person, fishing
• Directions: Take the M5 from Cape Town, turn left into 5th
  Avenue, and right into Perth road until you reach the entrance in Fisherman's Walk.