Tygerberg Nature Reserve

Overview

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The Tygerberg Nature Reserve lies in the northern suburbs. Proclaimed in 1973, it supports one of the last remnants of the highly threatened Swartland Shale Renosterveld vegetation. Its 300 hectares boasts 460 different plant species. Of these, 12 are threatened with extinction, eight are endemic to Cape Town and three endemic to Tygerberg itself.

The diversity of species found is vast, with some 50 different mammals, 125 bird species, 35 different reptiles, 8 types of frogs and 33 different butterfly species.

Read about the reintroduction of Bontebok into Tygerberg Nature Reserve

On the western side of the mountain, the Plattekloof Dam is being restored into a natural wetland with the addition of indigenous water plants and fish. This will help to improve the water quality and provide food, shelter and nesting material for animals.

The view from the top of the reserve’s hill is magnificent and emphasises just how meager the patches of natural vegetation are amid the urban sprawl; the hill is covered in Renosterveld and spotted with paler circles of grass.

ADDRESS: Main gate: Totius Street,Welgemoed. Secondary gate:
Meyboom Street, Plattekloof

OPENING HOURS: 09h00–16h00 (weekdays), 09h00–18h00

(weekends and public holidays)
SIZE: 300 ha

ENTRY FEE: none

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: taxi or bus

ACTIVITIES: hiking, picnic sites, bird watching, panoramic views

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: The Kristo Pienaar Environmental Education Centre is a well-run, popular venue and there is a resource centre with a library and a herbarium.
Lessons on a variety of topics including geography, town planning and ecology are offered. Booking is essential

Cape Town Green Map
updated 03/2012 by City of Cape Town