Hot on the heels of SANParks National Parks Week, CapeNature is opening the gates to selected Western Cape reserves for free too!
Western Cape, South Africa (04 September 2026) – If you were already planning to squeeze every last drop out of SANParks National Parks Week, there is even more good news. The free nature adventures do not end there.
CapeNature’s annual Access Week is back from 19 to 25 September 2026, giving free day entry to a long list of reserves across the Western Cape.
Now in its 12th year, Access Week takes on the theme ‘Nature is for Everyone’, making some of the province’s most beautiful natural spaces easier for everyone to experience.
The adventure is yours to choose. Hit the trails, pack a picnic and your cozzie, keep an eye out for the birds, or make a day of doing very little somewhere beautiful.
There is plenty to choose from, too. This year’s participating reserves stretch from the West Coast to the Garden Route and Karoo, including favourites like Kogelberg, Jonkershoek, De Hoop, Robberg and Swartberg.
CapeNature says the initiative has introduced many visitors to its reserves for the very first time over the years. It also gives communities living nearby another chance to enjoy the wild spaces sitting on their doorstep.
Selected community groups will get the chance to enjoy sponsored, guided nature experiences during Access Week this year, with some help from CapeNature in getting to know the wild spaces around them.
So, where can you make use of the free entry?
On the West Coast, Groot Winterhoek, Bird Island and Rocherpan are taking part.
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Further south, Walker Bay, De Mond, De Hoop, Marloth, Grootvadersbosch, Geelkrans and Vrolijkheid are on the list.
Garden Route options include Robberg, Keurbooms River, Goukamma and Outeniqua, while Swartberg, Gamkaberg and Anysberg will welcome visitors in the Karoo.
There are a few important things to know before loading the picnic basket.
Free entry applies to walk-in day visitors during normal operating hours, and you do not need to pre-book.
In fact, visitors who book through CapeNature’s Contact Centre or online platform will be charged the usual entry fee, so this is one occasion where simply arriving at the gate is the way to go.
Entry is still subject to each reserve’s visitor capacity, and the free pass covers general conservation fees for permitted day activities like hiking and mountain biking.
The Whale Trail, certain landowners, partners, concessions and commercial activities are not included, and some parts of participating reserves may also be temporarily closed. It is worth checking your chosen reserve’s participation and operating hours before heading out.
Between Spring starting, SANParks opening many of its national parks from 7 to 13 September and CapeNature following up from the 19 to 25th, there are suddenly a whole lot of reasons to spend this month outside!
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