Tygerberg Nature Reserve
Cape Town - South Africa
Contact
Tygerberg Nature Reserve
Reserve Manager - Penny Glanville
Tel: 021 913 5695 - Fax:021 9136268 - Emergency no 021 9574700
Email: tygerberg.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za
For directions, entrance fees and opening times of the
various gates scroll to the bottom of the page.
Plattekloof gate closed until further notice.
Some of the fynbos that flowers in the park in spring.
In Cape Town we have a number of nature reserves and the Tygerberg is one of them. Most visitors who fly into Cape Town will fly down the west side of the Tygerberg as they prepare to land at Cape Town International airport. It's a long range of hills which has been left virtually untouched along its upper reaches although of late there has been quite a bit of building activity on its western slopes.
Tygerberg Nature reserve is an important reserve in that it is home to the critically endangered species of Swartland Shale Renosterveld (Swartland Shale Rhinoveld). The reserve covers an area of 309 hectares and has 562 different plant species growing within its boundaries. Of these, 23 are Red list species, eight are endemic to Cape Town, and three endemic to Tygerberg itself.
On the eastern side of the reserve is the main entrance gate which is extremely difficult to find if you don't know where to look for it.(See directions below) Near the gate is the Kristo Pienaar Environmental Education Centre which can be booked for conferences, meetings and workshops and where the Reserve conducts Environmental Education for the public.
The Tygerberg hills have a fantastic unhindered view of the Cape Peninsula. The view towards the west over Cape Town and Table Bay is absolutely splendid and you can watch the changing moods of Table mountain as the sun moves to the west. To watch a sunset from here is something to die for.
There are a number of different pathways to the viewpoint which wind their way up the hillside and give you a close up view of the Renosterveld . There is also a wide tar road which is used by vehicles transporting equipment to the many TV and radio masts sited on the hill. It's a sweat to get to the top but the effort is really worth while.
Dam on the Western slope of the Tygerberg
From your vantage point you can see as far as Cape Point, the second most southerly point of Africa. Due south you will see False bay shimmering in the distance and in between you and it are the Cape Flats with its thousands of houses and shacks. Home to many thousands of Capetonians.
To the east you can see Somerset West and the mountains of Stellenbosch and the mountains which form the eastern seashore of False Bay. At the highest point of the Reserve there is a picnic area and a look out point. From there you can look down on the planes as they fly past on their way to the airport.
The reserve is home to 24 different mammal species which include a number of different antelope and tortoises, 137 bird species including the Lanner Falcon, Rock Kestrel, Cape Franklin, Alpine Swift and Ground Woodpecker, 22 different reptiles including snakes and lizards, 7 types of frogs, and numerous different butterfly species.
In the reserve there are approximately 13 kilometres of self-guided walking trails for hikers, walkers and trail runners. For the not so energetic there are a few picnic areas where one can relax with family and friends and do some bird watching.
Environmental educational programmes and activities are conducted from the Kristo Pienaar Environmental Education Centre. These programmes are open to the public but you need to book your seat if you want to join a programme. Below are the contact details for the Reserve should you require further information.
CONTACT: Tel 021 913 5695; Fax 021 913 6268
tygerberg.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za
ADDRESS:
Main gate: Totius Street, Welgemoed; Secondary gate: Meyboom Ave, Plattekloof.
OPENING HOURS:
Welgemoed Gate House, Totius Street
Directions:
From the N1, turn into Jip de Jager Road towards Durbanville. Turn left into Kommissaris Street and follow the brown Tygerberg Nature Reserve signs.
SUMMER: (October to March)
· Week days: 07:30 – 18:00
· Weekends and public holidays: 07:30 – 19:00
· Closed Christmas Day
WINTER: (April to September)
· Week days: 07:30 – 17:00
· Weekends and public holidays: 07:30 – 18:00
Plattekloof Gate House, Meyboom Avenue
Directions:
From Plattekloof Road towards Panorama Hospital – turn into Olienhout. Take the third street right into Meyboom Avenue. Visitors may park between Melkhout and Vlamboom Streets.
· Week days only: 07:30 – 16:00
· Closed for the month of January
ENTRANCE FEE (2020):
Adults: R20.00
Children between ages 3 and 17: R10.00
Children under 3 years: Free entry
Tygerberg Nature Reserve season tickets are available at the gate.
Season Tickets:
Season Tickets provide unlimited entry into the following nature reserves for 365 days from date of issue: Helderberg (excl. vehicle fee), Tygerberg, Table Bay (excl. vehicle fee), False Bay and Blaauwberg (excl. vehicle fee) Nature Reserves. Enquire at the gate.
© 2023 Turtle SA - All Rights Reserved
Cape Town- Tygerberg Nature Reserve
11.7.2023
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