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After days of heavy rain and storm damage across the Garden Route, the Western Cape is bracing for another stretch of wild weather this weekend.
The South African Weather Service has issued severe weather warnings for parts of the province, with disruptive rain, flooding, strong winds and thunderstorms expected in some areas. The Garden Route has already been particularly hard hit, with road closures and flood-related devastation after days of disruptive rainfall.
And with more bad weather on the way, CapeNature has announced the temporary closure of a number of reserves across the Western Cape.
The closures affect day visitors, accommodation, hiking trails, picnic sites and other facilities at several popular reserves.
Which reserves are closed, and when:
- Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve: Closed to day visitors from 5–8 May 2026.
- Robberg and Goukamma Nature Reserve: All facilities closed from 6–11 May 2026.
- Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: All accommodation, hiking trails, picnic sites and 4x4 trails, including Oukraal, closed from 7–14 May 2026.
- De Mond Nature Reserve: The Damara Trail closed from 9–13 May 2026.
- Stony Point Nature Reserve: All facilities, including the boardwalk, closed from 10–11 May 2026.
- Jonkershoek and Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve: All hiking trails and picnic sites closed from 10–12 May 2026.
- Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve: All facilities and overnight huts closed from 10–12 May 2026.
- Cederberg Complex and Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve: All day and overnight trails closed from 10–14 May 2026, including Stadsaal and Truitjieskraal.
CapeNature says the closures remain subject to change, so visitors should check the official CapeNature website or contact the relevant reserve before travelling.
Garden Route reserves under water
While Table Mountain remains open this weekend, hikers and cyclists are advised to keep a close eye on the weather and trail conditions as heavy rain arrives on Sunday.
Along the Garden Route, facilities run by South African National Parks have already been heavily affected.
In a media statement, SANParks reports that Nature’s Valley Camp in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park is temporarily closed due to persistent rainfall. All guests have been safely evacuated, and the Groot River Mouth has breached naturally, allowing water to flow out of the camp to sea.
In the Knysna Section, the Thesen Island Office is closed due to strong winds and heavy rainfall, after flooding and wind damage to the office.
In the Wilderness Section, the North Camp at Ebb and Flow is closed and all campers have been relocated to formal accommodation. The Touw River Mouth and Swartvlei Mouth were artificially opened today to manage rising water levels. All sections of the Garden Route National Park remain under close monitoring, and all hiking, cycling, and water-based activities remain suspended across the region.
For now, the best plan may be the simplest one: stay off the trails, keep an eye on official weather updates, and spend the weekend tucked up somewhere warm.
Winter warmer: go for lunch at Firehorse on Vergelegen Wine Estate!
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