Next to the Durbanville Racecourse is a special triangle of land. This six hectare reserve is where critically endangered Swartland shale renosterveld and Cape Flats sand fynbos meet.
The area became a nature reserve in 1966, after local residents had found a rare plant, Aristea lugens, growing there and persuaded what was then the Durbanville Town Council to set aside the land for conservation purposes. Alien vegetation was cleared, an indigenous garden was planted, and an education centre was developed.
There are about 241 plant species, three endemic to Cape Town and six threatened with extinction. The site is home to several animal species, including birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Birds such as the Cape sugarbird, lesser double-collared sunbird and Cape spurfowl can be seen in the reserve. The small grey mongoose and angulate tortoise also occur here, as well as the endemic and vulnerable Cape rain frog which can be heard when it rains. The release of unwanted pet tortoises poses a threat to the resident tortoises as they bring in diseases and are genetically unsuitable to breed with the tortoises in the reserve.
The reserve offers a range of activities and facilities to the public: there are walking trails and wheelchair-friendly pathways, and picnic sites are located at the main entrance and the southern section of the reserve. Environmental education activities are available to schools however booking with reserve management is essential. The small EE centre facility is available to hire for functions or meetings (even on weekends during the winter season when the reserve is closed).
General Info
Formal name:
Durbanville Nature Reserve
Web links:
https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/Pages/NatureReserve-Durbanville.aspx
Web links with UA facilities:
No
Tourism products and facilities offered:
Walks & trails
Environmental education
Facilities indoor vs outdoor:
98% Outdoor & 2% Indoor
Shaded or covered areas:
Yes
Accrediting agencies:
No
Tactile warning systems at vehicular crossings:
No
Signage indicating alternative access:
No
Public transport:
No
Accessible parking:
No
Parking distance to nature reserve:
+- 20m
Accessible without having to negotiate any stairs or inclined paths:
Yes
Handrails on the ramps:
No
Tactile warning or guidance system associated with ramps:
No
Security control at the entrance:
Yes
Intercom communication or push button at the entrance:
Yes
size of button:
The size of a R1 coin
size of button and location:
The size of a R1 coin
Visual indication that system has been activated:
Yes
Type of entrance door:
Automatic
Clear opening width of the gate or first opening leaf of the entrance door:
Big enough for one vehicle to pass through
Security control or intercom communication or push button systems at the entrance:
No
Type of entrance door:
Manual
Clear opening width of the gate or first opening leaf of the entrance door:
Standard door +- 1.5m x 0.5m
Door handles fitted to gate or door:
Leaver
Door handles location above floor:
+- 1m
Glass panels in the door:
No - wooden
Floor finish:
Carpet
Floor finish shiny or smooth:
No
Floor finish slippery when wet:
No
Location of the reception desk clearly visible and easily identifiable from the entrance door:
Yes
Obstacles in the path of travel or close to the path of travel from the entrance door to the reception desk
Couches
Reception desk height:
+- 1m
Dropped section of counter below 80cm in height, with leg space under the desk:
No
Alternative desk with a work surface below 80cm, with leg space below the desk:
No
Background noise in the building:
No
Casual seating:
Yes
Chair height:
+- 0.5m
Chair with arm rests:
Yes
Clear signage in the building indicating the location of facilities including toilets:
Yes
Other workstations where visitors might need to sit:
Eco-centre
Height of worktop on these workstations:
+- 1m (fold up tables)
Leg space under the workstations or desks:
Yes
Chair available at these work stations:
Yes
Height of the seat of chair:
+- 0.5m
Electronic visual displays:
No
Electronic information available through computer terminals:
No
Other information available:
Pamphlets and posters
Available in:
Biodiversity, plants, animals, alien vegetaion
Available in large text format:
No
Available in braille:
No
Available in voice format:
No
Staff that have received specialized training to provide universal access support to visitors:
No
Staff with sign language capability:
No
Loop systems installed in the building:
No
Other:
No
Type of product, facility or offering:
Outdoor - walks/trails/hikes
Eco centre - Environmental education
Access to the PFO:
Reserve main entrance
Distance from the main entrance to PFO:
+- 20m
Facility Signage:
Well signposted
Access by car:
Yes
Access by other motorized vehicle:
Yes
Access by pedestrian pathway:
Yes
Paved or surfaced:
No
PFO access for persons using a wheelchair, walker, or crutches :
Yes
support system:
No
Accessible to person who has limited or no sight :
Yes
Sight support system:
No
Accessible to person who has limited or no hearing:
Yes
Hearing support system:
No
Facilities indoor vs outdoor:
98% Outdoor & 2% Indoor
Contact Details
- Address: 3 Race Course Road, Cape Town 7550, South Africa
- GPS: -33.84141012882559,18.6441770195961
- Phone: 021 979 0060
