Rocherpan Nature Reserve

from 248 Google reviews

A group of people on a beach near a body of water

About the garden

Rocherpan is a coastal nature reserve teeming with birds and colourful wildflowers. The reserve, which lies 25km north of Velddrif on the Cape West Coast, consists largely of a seasonal vlei that is usually dry between March and June. Rocherpan was established as a nature reserve (930 hectares in size) in 1966, and the adjacent section of the Atlantic Ocean was declared a marine reserve in 1988 (150 hectares in size).

Rocherpan had a fortuitous start when farmer Pierre Rocher arrived in this area in 1839 looking for improved summer grazing for his livestock. Rocher and his workers closed off the mouth of Papkuils River, forcing it to flow behind the dunes that separate the sandveld from the sea. This inadvertently created a perfect habitat for waterbirds, and the local species have thrived ever since. Along the coast, you’ll see the rare and endangered black oystercatcher, the kelp gull and the Cape shoveller.

Opening times

Office Hours | 08h00 to 16h30

Useful details

Cafe or restaurant

No cafe or restaurant on site

Shops

None

West Coast DC, 7365

Check local coronavirus guidance before you visit

Weather forecast

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Rocherpan Nature Reserve

West Coast DC

7365

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Google reviews

4.5
from 248 Google reviews

Carlo Johnson

7 months ago

Went away for the weekend in the Coot accomodation and it was AWESOME. The walk to the beach from the unit and from the picnic area is quite a stretch and there were dead seals laying on the beach. The hiking trails are quite scary and narrow and bushy.The pool was awesome but the flies were up in your face while swimming. The signal is not great and the WIFI is quite poor only YouTube works.

Jody van der Westhuizen

6 months ago

Very tranquil and scenic. But make sure to go later winter to spring if you want to see the water birds. We went in March and the pan was completely dry. Saw 2 ostriches.

Parusha G

2 months ago

Friendly staff, lovely eco cabin (Sandpiper). Enjoyed the beach walk, got a bit lost on the guarrie trail (asked reception staff to improve signage along the trail). Very peaceful, amazing sunrise and sunset. Saw a wide variety of birds. They’re fully off the grid which was a nice surprise ! Enjoyed the putt putt, swimming pool available as well.

Shane Hughes

3 months ago

Beautiful breakaway on the Cape WestCoast. Chalets are adequately equipped and clean. Impressively “off the grid” !

Jeremy Cheek

10 months ago

The Pros: Modern, well-maintained eco-chalets, wonderfully helpful and friendly staff, beautiful surroundings, lovely beach walks and beach viewsites. The Con : It's a very small reserve (a drive to the end and back would take less than 30 minutes), so a lot of the experience centres around the pan and the birdlife in it. If - as is often the case - the pan is dry, there is minimal bird activity so not much to do except chill out or take a drive to one of the two beach viewsites and go walking. That said, the two beach viewsites are beautiful and an excellent base for long walks along the pristine beach. Recommendation : If the birdlife is important to you, phone the reserve direct and ask them if the pan has water before you make your booking.

Contact the garden

+27 (0)79 203 1092

capenature.co.za/reserves/

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