rooiels nature reserve

Rooiels is home to its very own proclaimed nature reserve in the heart of the village. The reserve covers erfs 211, 212 and 243 – about three hectares in total. It was declared a provincial nature reserve by the Western Cape Government in 1984, and registered as a Protected Area in 2020/21. The reserve is owned by the Overstrand Municipality. The Conservancy acts as its steward, collaborating with partners such as the municipality, Cape Nature and the provincial government to ensure its protection.

Although small, the reserve is ecologically significant, housing some lowland fynbos plant communities and animal species which have become rare elsewhere. There are several healthy stands of the critically endangered Erica brachialis. Urbanisation and frequent fires have led to its demise elsewhere.

Visitors may also be lucky enough to encounter Cape clawless otters, water mongooses, field mice, chameleons and many other endemic species. Some fantastic birdlife can also be observed.

Thanks to Graham McCleland, some of the species observed in the reserve can be viewed on iNaturalist.

As unoccupied coastal sandveld becomes increasingly rare, the reserve serves as a vital refuge for biodiversity within an increasingly developed landscape. Lowland fynbos is no longer present in the core area of the Kogelberg Biosphere, so the reserve is a precious and valuable repository for species under threat.  

The Conservancy is honoured to safeguard, protect and maintain the Rooiels Nature Reserve, and is currently working with Overstrand Municipality to expand it, and ensure it complies with the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act.