CITY OF CAPE TOWN NATURE RESERVES CITY OF CAPE TOWN NATURE RESERVES

BLAAUWBERG BLAAUWBERG NATURE RESERVE NATURE RESERVE

INTRODUCING THE AREA INTRODUCING THE AREA The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is located approximately 25 km from Cape Town’s The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is located approximately 25 km from Cape Town’s city centre, representing one of the most intact and diverse lowland vegetation city centre, representing one of the most intact and diverse lowland vegetation habitats in Cape Town, marking the beginning of the West Coast flora. The reserve habitats in Cape Town, marking the beginning of the West Coast flora. The reserve contains approximately 1 445 hectares of rich biodiversity. contains approximately 1 445 hectares of rich biodiversity.

The Blaauwberg Hill, which forms part of the nature reserve, offers one of the few The Blaauwberg Hill, which forms part of the nature reserve, offers one of the few viewpoints in the world from which two World Heritage Sites can be viewed, namely viewpoints in the world from which two World Heritage Sites can be viewed, namely Table Mountain and Robben Island. Table Mountain and Robben Island.

The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve presents a rich cultural and historical heritage of The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve presents a rich cultural and historical heritage of various periods in history. Shell middens dating back to approximately 15 000 years various periods in history. Shell middens dating back to approximately 15 000 years have been observed, indicating early human occupation. In addition, the reserve have been observed, indicating early human occupation. In addition, the reserve conserves the site of the Battle of Blaauwberg in 1806, where the British took second conserves the site of the Battle of Blaauwberg in 1806, where the British took second occupation of the Cape and retained ownership until South Africa’s independence. occupation of the Cape and retained ownership until South Africa’s independence. Blaauwberg Hill features several buildings constructed during World War II, one of Blaauwberg Hill features several buildings constructed during World War II, one of which includes the first radar station built in South Africa. which includes the first radar station built in South Africa.

BEING RESPONSIBLE BEING RESPONSIBLE

Please: Never: Please: Never:  Fish while in possession of a valid permit  Bring alcohol into the reserve  Fish while in possession of a valid permit  Bring alcohol into the reserve  Use the designated braai and picnic  Bring weapons into the reserve  Use the designated braai and picnic  Bring weapons into the reserve facilities at Eerste Steen  Play loud music facilities at Eerste Steen  Play loud music  Adhere to City by-laws and reserve rules  Walk your dogs without a leash  Adhere to City by-laws and reserve rules  Walk your dogs without a leash  Report matters of concern to  Drive off-road with your vehicle  Report matters of concern to  Drive off-road with your vehicle management  Damage, pick or disturb any flora or management  Damage, pick or disturb any flora or  Use litterbins fauna  Use litterbins fauna  Enjoy the available facilities and  Leave valuables in your vehicle  Enjoy the available facilities and  Leave valuables in your vehicle activities activities

BIODIVERSITY BIODIVERSITY Flora Flora The nature reserve comprises three highly threatened lowland vegetation types: The nature reserve comprises three highly threatened lowland vegetation types: Cape Flats dune strandveld, Swartland shale renosterveld and Cape Flats sand Cape Flats dune strandveld, Swartland shale renosterveld and Cape Flats sand fynbos. The combination of these vegetation types are seldom found in a single fynbos. The combination of these vegetation types are seldom found in a single conserved area. Over 560 plant species have been identified, of which more than conserved area. Over 560 plant species have been identified, of which more than 40 are considered to be threatened with extinction. This is more than one-third of the 40 are considered to be threatened with extinction. This is more than one-third of the total number of plant species found in the British Isles. total number of plant species found in the British Isles.

Some plants that can be found include Amphithalea ericifolia erecta, Aspalathus Some plants that can be found include Amphithalea ericifolia erecta, Aspalathus retroflexa bicolor and Serruria trilopha. retroflexa bicolor and Serruria trilopha.

Fauna Fauna Over 40 mammal, 28 reptile, 5 amphibian and 30 butterfly species have been Over 40 mammal, 28 reptile, 5 amphibian and 30 butterfly species have been identified at the reserve. The recently discovered Blaauwberg dwarf burrowing skink identified at the reserve. The recently discovered Blaauwberg dwarf burrowing skink (Scelotes montispectus) is only known from six individuals, three of which are found (Scelotes montispectus) is only known from six individuals, three of which are found within the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve. Some other species found here include the within the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve. Some other species found here include the honey badger (Mellivora capensis), Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) and honey badger (Mellivora capensis), Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) and caracal (Felis caracal). caracal (Felis caracal).

Over 140 bird species, including the threatened African black oystercatcher, have Over 140 bird species, including the threatened African black oystercatcher, have been recorded. The Jackal buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus), Black harrier (Circus maurus) been recorded. The Jackal buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus), Black harrier (Circus maurus) and Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) are some of the raptor bird species that and Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) are some of the raptor bird species that occur here. occur here.

USEFUL INFORMATION USEFUL INFORMATION

Address: Eerste Steen Resort, Otto du Plessis Drive (M14), north of Bloubergstrand Address: Eerste Steen Resort, Otto du Plessis Drive (M14), north of Bloubergstrand GPS -33.777559 S, 18.449142 E GPS -33.777559 S, 18.449142 E Opening hours: Opening hours: Coastal section: Daily, sunrise to sunset Coastal section: Daily, sunrise to sunset

Eerste Steen braai and picnic facility: Eerste Steen braai and picnic facility:

Summer (Nov-Apr) Daily, 08:00 to 19:00 Summer (Nov-Apr) Daily, 08:00 to 19:00

Winter (May-Oct) Daily, 08:00 to 17:00 Winter (May-Oct) Daily, 08:00 to 17:00

Entry fee: Tariffs applicable at control point Entry fee: Tariffs applicable at control point

Tel: 021 444 0454 (Administrative complex) Tel: 021 444 0454 (Administrative complex)

Tel: 021 444 7321 (Eerste Steen Resort) Tel: 021 444 7321 (Eerste Steen Resort)

For the latest updates on tariffs, opening hours, maps or any other information, please contact management For the latest updates on tariffs, opening hours, maps or any other information, please contact management or visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves. or visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves.

2016-01-05 2016-01-05