The Western Cape has significantly expanded its conservation footprint, with more than 81 000 ha of ecologically-important land now formally protected.
More than 20 new nature reserves have been added to the province’s Protected Area network between April 2025 and March 2026, marking a major boost for biodiversity conservation. The newly declared reserves stretch across key regions including the Cederberg, Agulhas Plain, Little Karoo and the Garden Route. These areas vary from smaller privately-owned properties to larger mountain and lowland landscapes.
The expansion forms part of CapeNature’s Biodiversity Stewardship Programme, which allows landowners to declare their land as protected areas voluntarily. This initiative plays a key role in safeguarding important ecosystems while fostering collaboration between private landowners and conservation authorities.
According to Dr Ashley Naidoo the success of the programme depends on strong partnerships.
“Their commitment ensures that important natural areas receive formal protection, and together we are taking steps toward securing a healthier, more resilient environment for decades to come,” he said.
Each new declaration contributes to the province’s broader environmental commitments and aligns with the global 30×30 target, which aims to protect 30% of the earth’s land and oceans by 2030.
The Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, highlighted the importance of these efforts.
“The Cape Floristic Region is one of 36 recognised global biodiversity hotspots.” he said.
“These hotspots are regions that have high levels of biodiversity, but that are 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, while existing protected areas such as Anysberg Nature Reserve and Knersvlakte Nature Reserve have been expanded under CapeNature’s management.
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Public access to these reserves will depend on land-use and conservation requirements. Residents interested in visiting privately managed reserves are encouraged to contact the relevant reserve directly.
Landowners who wish to contribute to conservation efforts can engage with CapeNature’s Stewardship Team (wcpaes2025@capenature.co.za) to begin the process of formally protecting their properties.
Here is a list of the new nature reserves, which include expanded reserves as well, which is a total of 81715.3565 hectares:
* Anysberg Nature Reserve (expansion) – 6 918.3081 ha
* Bloutoring Nature Reserve – 4 610.8996 ha
* Buffalo Valley Nature Reserve – 318.3445 ha
* Cedar Rock Nature Reserve – 9 872.7000 ha
* Cederberg Oasis Nature Reserve – 226.664 ha
* Diosma Nature Reserve – 10.7664 ha
* Doringkloof Karoo Plaas Nature Reserve – 209.2027 ha
* Franco Three Fountains – 21.4250 ha
* Fynbosstrand Nature Reserve – 425.6964 ha
* Gecko Rock Private Nature Reserve – 3 658.0296 ha
* Haarwegskloof – 547.7954 ha
* Kleiheuwel Nature Reserve – 2 724.5000 ha
* Knersvlakte Nature Reserve (expansion) – 34 084.3925 ha
* Koopmanskloof Nature Reserve – 65.5074 ha
* Lettas Kraal Nature Reserve – 6 922.6114 ha
* Machaseh Nature Reserve – 844.8371 ha
* Mount David Nature Reserve – 713.0000 ha
* Pietersrivier Nature Reserve – 1 151.2790 ha
* Puntjie Nature Reserve – 102,1145 ha
* Silflay Renosterveld Nature Reserve – 1 280.6129 ha
* Voorstekop Nature Reserve – 347.9000 ha
* Waterkloof Nature Reserve – 2 062.9245 ha
* Wilderness – 643.6419 ha
* Zebraskop Nature Reserve – 3 952.2036 ha
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