Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve protects ten hectares of indigenous lowland fynbos on the border of Visserhof, Bosmansdam and Potsdam roads in Bothasig. It is a neighbourhood conservation area rather than a destination, with short paths for walking, birdwatching and plant identification, looked after by local residents and the Bothasig Rovers. Worth a stop if you are interested in Cape flora, honestly not a headline attraction.
Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve is ten hectares of indigenous vegetation surrounded by houses. It sits on the border of Visserhof, Bosmansdam and Potsdam roads in Bothasig, and its significance has nothing to do with size or scenery. It is a surviving piece of the lowland fynbos that once covered this part of Cape Town, left standing while the suburb grew up around it.
That is the whole point of the place. Most of the Cape's lowland vegetation went under housing, industry and farmland long ago, and what is left tends to survive in fragments exactly like this one: small, flat, hemmed in by roads and easy to walk past without noticing. Standing inside ten hectares of it, with residential Bothasig on every side, gives you a clearer sense of what the flats looked like before the city than any amount of reading does.
The City lists walking, birdwatching and plant identification as the activities here, and those three things describe the visit accurately. There are paths and walkways, and visitors are asked to stay on them. It is a short nature walk rather than a hike, and the reward is in what is growing beside the path rather than in distance or views. Spring is when it is most rewarding, when the indigenous plants come into flower.
The reserve is looked after in an unusually local way. The City names its custodians as Bothasig residents and the Bothasig Rovers, which is a fair description of how a reserve this size survives at all. Small urban conservation areas tend to depend on the people who live next to them.
Be realistic about what you are visiting. This is not one of Cape Town's major attractions and it does not try to be. It will appeal to people interested in Cape flora, to photographers, to birdwatchers and to locals who want a quiet half hour outdoors. If you are visiting Cape Town for a week and choosing between this and Kirstenbosch or Table Mountain, this is not the one. If you care about what the Cape Flats used to be, it is worth the detour. Note that the City does not publish opening hours or an entrance fee for the reserve, so contact the reserve office before travelling. No dogs or pets are allowed.
Highlights
- Ten hectares of surviving lowland fynbos inside a residential suburb
- A short nature walk on designated paths rather than a hike
- Birdwatching and plant identification, both listed by the City
- Indigenous plants in flower through the spring months
- Cared for by Bothasig residents and the Bothasig Rovers
- A quiet local conservation area, not a major visitor attraction
Tips
Stay on the designated pathways, which the City asks of all visitors. No dogs or pets are allowed. The City does not publish opening hours or an entrance fee, so call the reserve office on 021 444 8971 if you need to confirm access before travelling. Bring binoculars and a plant guide rather than hiking gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve?
It is a ten hectare City of Cape Town reserve on the border of Visserhof, Bosmansdam and Potsdam roads in Bothasig, protecting a remnant of indigenous lowland fynbos inside a residential suburb.
Is it worth visiting?
That depends on what you are after. If you are interested in Cape flora, birdlife or urban conservation, it is a worthwhile short stop. If you are looking for one of Cape Town's headline attractions, this is not it, and we would rather say so.
What can you do there?
The City lists walking, birdwatching and plant identification. There are paths and walkways and visitors are asked to stay on them. Most people will find half an hour to an hour is enough.
Can I bring my dog?
No. The City states clearly that no dogs or pets are allowed in the reserve.
What are the opening hours and is there a fee?
The City does not publish opening hours or an entrance fee for this reserve. Contact the reserve office on 021 444 8971 before travelling if access times matter to your plans.
