Zeekoevlei #2: Cool Spot
The cache, a black bison tube, is hidden at a cool shady spot towards the south-east corner of this large lake which forms a major part of the False Bay Nature Reserve (FBNR) - a unique area of incredible biodiversity. On World Wetlands Day 2 February 2015 FBNR was designated as a Ramsar site: a wetland of international importance, the only one in Cape Town and one of 22 in South Africa.
To reach the cache location: take the M17 Strandfontein Road to the junction with Dollarbird Road @ S 34 03.198 E 18 31.771. Turn west here and follow the road around the traffic circle and on to the FBNR (Zeekovlei section) entry gate @ S 34 03.290 E 18 31.227. This is open 07:30-19:30 in summer and 07:30-18:00 in winter - entry is free.
After completing brief formalities follow the road for some 2km or so to the junction @ S 34 04.086 E 18 31.362. Turn right (west) here and after a short distance turn left at the T-junction and head south alongside the vlei to the parking spot @ S 34 04.185 E 18 31.288 some 25m from the cache location under the shady eucalyptus trees.
Zeekoevlei is a huge freshwater lake in the middle of the Cape Flats with the the densely populated suburbs of Grassy Park, Lotus River and Pelican Park on its borders.
Along its shores are almost 150 homes, so in essence it is shared with private home owners - a possibly unique setting for a nature reserve. There are also two environmental education centres on its banks that educate around 6,000 children a year.
See here for a map of the FBNR and here for the detailed 2011 FBNR management plan which includes fascinating details on all aspects of the reserve. Some notable facts . . .
- The reserve covers 2,300 hectares and is visited by >100,000 people/year. The size of Zeekovlei (lake) is 256 hectares
- The varied habitats support >300 plant species including several (critically) endangered ones
- Over 240 bird species have been recorded in the reserve - over 60% of all the species in Western Cape. At least 84 breed in the reserve
- Waterbirds are particularly abundant with up to 72 species and 30,000 individuals recorded on a single day
- 21 mammal species, 29 reptile species and 9 amphibian species have been recorded in the reserve
See here for more information including links to key species.
See here for a good introductory video and here for an interesting short video on the importance of the FBNR as a Ramsar Site with some rare plants highlighted.
See here for a short drone video of Zeekoevlei.