The Edith Stephens Wetland Park is a place where the natural biodiversity of the Cape Flats and the needs of the local communities are brought together.

The core of the site is the 3.7ha Isoetes Vlei, a piece of land bought in 1955 and entrusted to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden by botanist Edith Stephens. In 1999 the City of Cape Town added a further 35ha of land to form the wetland park that exists today.

Several very rare plant species are found here and the park provides varied habitats for birds, including a detention pond and seasonal wetland. Ibises, egrets and cormorants come to roost in numbers on islands in the retention dam, and waterbird species, including the white-backed duck, occupy open water.

The seasonal wetland can appear lifeless in summer but, with the arrival of the winter rains between July and September, it becomes home to birds like the African and painted snipe. This is a must-visit for bird watchers and nature lovers.

For more information and a map to get there, visit the Cape Bird Club’s website.

Phone: +27 (0)21 691 8070 / +27 (0)72 972 6956

Email: luzann.isaacs@capetown.gov.za