Cape Town Opens Nature Reserves for Free This Long Weekend…But There's a Fun Catch!

Photo Credit: Canva

Free entry to Cape Town’s nature reserves this long weekend. The catch? You have to earn it!

Cape Town, South Africa (21 April 2026) – Nature lovers, activate! The City Nature Challenge runs again this year, throughout the upcoming long weekend from Friday, 24 April to Monday, 27 April 2026.

The challenge gives the public free access to reserves across Cape Town in exchange for getting outside and doing something good for science.

All you need to do is download the free iNaturalist app, head out, and take photos of whatever living thing you come across, like plants, animals, insects, or even just the remnants of them. Even mussel shells and feathers count. Experts in the iNaturalist community will later help you identify whatever you find, via the app.

Cape Town is competing against cities around the world to record the most wildlife observations on iNaturalist, and every snap counts!

“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 to participate in the annual City Nature Challenge! All you have to do is download the free iNaturalist app and start uploading all the plant, animal or insect findings you come across. 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. We have arranged free entry at all of our reserves for the challenge and encourage residents to go out and enjoy the outdoors over the coming long weekend. All contributions of wildlife are welcome, regardless of the location, so whether you explore a conservation area, your local park or your backyard, go and see what is out there!” said Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

You don’t need to stick to a reserve, either. Your local park or backyard counts just as much. But if you want to make a proper outing of it, guided tours at coastal and inland reserves can be arranged for groups. With free entry across all 16 facilities this weekend, there’s never been a better time to explore one you haven’t visited yet!

Not sure what to document for iNaturalist? Have a look at the app before you go – it’ll give you a sense of the weird and wonderful things people have found in Cape Town during past challenges.

Free entry. Fresh air. And bragging rights if Cape Town tops the global leaderboard? Sounds like a win worth getting out for! Below, we’ve listed all of Cape Town’s nature reserves. For more info, click here.