De Mond Nature Reserve

About De Mond Nature Reserve

As its name suggests, De Mond Nature Reserve lies at a river mouth – the Heuningnes River - in the curve of a natural bay, almost halfway between the coastal towns of Arniston and Struisbaai a two and a half hour very scenic drive from Cape Town, 209,4 km) on the N2 National Road.

Did you know? Offering picturesque hikes along coastal sand dunes, De Mond is not only beautiful it is also rich in birdlife. Keep an eye out for rare species like the Damara tern and the African black oystercatcher. The reserve, lying at the mouth of the Heuningnes River is also an ideal spot for fishing.

The De Mond estuary has remained relatively undisturbed and unaffected by development, enough that a breeding colony of highly threatened Damara terns have set up camp in amongst the dune fields.

You will also catch sight of the African black oystercatcher and the endangered blue crane that sometimes breed in the reserve as well. The Ramsar convention thus recognise De Mond as a wetland of international importance.

If you are even vaguely interested in the local coastal fynbos, birds, hiking, photography and fishing then a visit to De Mond is more than worthwhile.

180 species of birds have been listed for the area, and flyfishing is another popular pastime amongst visitors, although for any fresh water fishing you are expected to have an angling licence from Cape Nature.

Hiking the 7 km Sterna Trail (named after the Damar tern – Sterna balaenarum) will give you a good two to three hour circular route through the reserve. It crosses to the south bank of the Heuningnes River with a wood-and-cable suspension bridge. Or you could consider the four hour De Mond to Arniston route past the Waenhuiskrans cave, worth a visit in its own right.

Visitors to De Mond can picnic under the trees alongside the river. The reserve is beautiful and vital to the preservation of this bit of the coast.