The Western Cape has added more than 81 715 hectares to its protected area network through the declaration of over 20 new nature reserves between April 2025 and March 2026.
The newly declared reserves span the Cederberg, Agulhas Plain, Little Karoo and Garden Route, covering a mix of small properties and larger mountain and lowland areas. The additions form part of CapeNature’s biodiversity stewardship programme, which enables landowners to voluntarily declare land as protected areas.
The declarations support the province’s conservation objectives and align with the Global Biodiversity Framework 30x30 target to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030.
Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell said: “The Cape Floristic region is one of 36 recognised global biodiversity hotspots. These hotspots are regions that have high levels of biodiversity but also the most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on Earth. Healthy and resilient ecosystems are essential to sustain livelihoods and economic growth and must be actively protected, managed and restored. Our ability to declare these additional reserves is made possible through partner organisations and landowners working with CapeNature.”
Most of the newly declared reserves are privately owned. Anysberg Nature Reserve and Knersvlakte Nature Reserve, which are managed by CapeNature, have been expanded.
Public access to the reserves will be determined according to land-use and conservation requirements. Visitors are advised to contact privately managed reserves directly for access information.
The largest addition is the expansion of Knersvlakte Nature Reserve at over 34 000 hectares, followed by Cedar Rock Nature Reserve at 9 872 hectares and Lettas Kraal Nature Reserve at 6 922 hectares. The total area added amounts to 81 715 hectares.
The newly declared nature reserves are:
- Anysberg
- Bloutoring
- Buffalo Valley
- Cedar Rock
- Cederberg Oasis
- Diosma
- Doringkloof Karoo Plaas
- Franco Three Fountains
- Fynbosstrand
- Gecko Rock
- Haarwegskloof
- Kleiheuwel
- Knersvlakte
- Koopmanskloof
- Lettas Kraal
- Machaseh
- Mount David
- Pietersrivier
- Puntjie
- Silflay Renosterveld
- Voorstekop
- Waterkloof
- Wilderness
- Zebraskop
