Rietvlei Wetland Reserve, a 663-hectare protected area in Table View, Western Cape, is part of the larger Table Bay Nature Reserve and is managed by the City of Cape Town. Here, the Diep River forks into seasonal pans and an estuarine lagoon, flooding in winter and receding into mudflats each summer. Recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International and formally protected since 1984, Rietvlei supports 173 recorded species, including over 100 waterbirds and seasonal peaks above 15,000 individuals. Visitors explore two purpose-built bird hides—Old Friends Hide and Sunset Hide—plus boardwalks and a short footpath, all framed by reedbeds and saltmarshes. Noteworthy sightings range from vulnerable blue cranes and African marsh-harriers to Damara terns and Malachite kingfishers, making this ever-changing wetland a top destination for both local and international birders.
Tucked between Table View and Milnerton, with Table Mountain painting the perfect backdrop, Rietvlei Wetland Reserve is a birding oasis right in the heart of Cape Town’s northern suburbs. This protected wetland system forms part of the Table Bay Nature Reserve and is one of the city's best-kept secrets for birdwatchers.
Rietvlei isn’t just a scenic escape—it’s a vital ecological stronghold. Recognized within the Fynbos biome and Cape Flats wetlands system, it plays a key role in supporting migratory waterbirds, threatened species, and local biodiversity.
Just a short drive from other birding gems like Strandfontein Sewage Works, Intaka Island, and Rondevlei Nature Reserve, Rietvlei makes for a natural addition to any Cape Town birding itinerary.
Rietvlei Wetland Reserve offers a compact yet impressively diverse range of habitats, from seasonal freshwater pans and reedbeds to saline lagoons and grassy plains. Winter rains fill the vlei, inviting species like Great Crested Grebes and ducks, while summer evaporation reveals productive mudflats for migrant waders like Curlew Sandpipers.
Fringing reedbeds are home to Little Rush Warblers, African Purple Swamphens, and skulking African Rails. Cape Longclaws and Zitting Cisticolas call from the coastal grasslands, and the Diep River estuary channels nutrients that attract African Fish-Eagles and Giant Kingfishers.
Rietvlei's positioning on the Cape Flats, where freshwater systems meet coastal influences, enhances its bird diversity. Mild winters and dry summers mean good birding year-round, with seasonal surges in spring and autumn.
Birding at Rietvlei is tranquil yet dynamic. The Old Friends Hide and Sunset Hide offer excellent waterbird viewing, while a short footpath connects you to boardwalks and reed-fringed pans. The reserve is ideal for both beginners and pros, with self-drive and easy trails enhancing access.
Come early—dawn is best for spotting flamingos and raptors like African Marsh-Harriers. Summer brings shorebirds from the north, while spring sees a bloom in breeding behavior. A camera, scope, and a good bird app will make your visit even richer.
Just 20 minutes from Strandfontein and close to Intaka Island and Rondevlei, Rietvlei fits beautifully into a broader Cape Town birding route.
Endemics & Regionally Special Species
• Cape Teal, Cape Shoveler, Southern Red Bishop, Cape Bulbul
Wetland & Waterbirds
• Greater and Lesser Flamingos, African Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Pied Avocet, Cape Shoveler, Red-billed Teal
Waders & Migrants
• Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Greenshank
Raptors & Nocturnals
• African Marsh Harrier, Black-shouldered Kite, Peregrine Falcon, Black Sparrowhawk, Spotted Thick-knee
Grassland & Reedbed Birds
• Zitting Cisticola, Little Rush Warbler, Southern Masked Weaver, Levaillant’s Cisticola
Rietvlei Wetland Reserve is a celebration of wetland biodiversity, offering close-up bird encounters in a peaceful setting. It’s the perfect stop on a Cape Town birding journey—especially when combined with Strandfontein, Intaka Island, or even Milnerton Lagoon.
Whether you're adding lifers or revisiting local favorites, Rietvlei invites you to slow down, look closer, and connect with the rhythms of nature. Don’t forget to share your sightings and help keep this reserve thriving for future birders.