The City of Cape Town is set to celebrate the beauty of its natural environment this long weekend as it opens its nature reserves for free entry from Friday, 24 April to Monday, 27 April 2026.
As part of the annual City Nature Challenge, residents are encouraged to actively participate by documenting local wildlife throughout the city.
This exciting initiative invites participants to download the free iNaturalist app to record a wide range of flora and fauna. Whether in conservation areas, local parks, or backyards, everyone interested in nature is urged to snap photos of their wildlife encounters and upload them to the app.
This engaging activity not only allows participants to contribute to a global citizen science project, but also pits Cape Town against several international cities in a race to record the most observations of local species.
‘It’s that time of the year again where we are asking residents right across Cape Town to capture photos of all the wildlife they can find and participate in the annual City Nature Challenge! If you do not find any live animals on your search, you can even record remnants such as mussel shells or feathers as they are signs of life,’ said Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.
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To enhance the experience, the city has organised free access to its stunning array of nature reserves. Locals have a wealth of options right at their fingertips, ready for exploration.
Guided tours through various protected coastal and inland areas can also be arranged for those wanting a more structured experience. These tours provide a perfect opportunity for participants to see and photograph a diverse range of wildlife, from reptiles and birds to vibrant marine life and unique fynbos.
In previous years, daring residents have captured a plethora of fascinating wildlife during the challenge, documenting everything from the common to the extraordinary.
For those looking for inspiration, the iNaturalist website offers additional resources to help individuals identify species and spark interest in the island’s rich biodiversity.
As the city gears up for this remarkable event, all contributions of wildlife observations are welcomed, encouraging the community to get outside and immerse themselves in Cape Town’s stunning natural offerings.
For more information about the city’s reserves, including details on locations, facilities, and attractions, visit the City’s official website.
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Picture: City of Cape Town
Source: City of Cape Town
