Visitors to the Outeniqua World Heritage Site and Nature Reserve will be required to pay a permit fee from December 2025 onwards.
Located in the Garden Route of the Western Cape, Outeniqua is popular among families, tourists, hikers and nature enthusiasts for its bounty of flora and fauna. From its famed mountains to its lush vegetation, it’s no wonder that it’s spoken highly of.
As such, CapeNature is taking matters into its own hands by introducing a permit fee, one that will aid its conservation efforts.
OUTENIQUA: WHAT THIS PERMIT FEE ENTAILS
According to a statement from CapeNature, the permit fee at Outeniqua will come into effect on 15 December 2025.
It will cost R55 per adult and R35 per child aged four to 17. The reserve will allow children under the age of four in for free.
Likewise, a valid Wild Card will also grant those who possess it free entry.
WHERE CAN YOU GET THESE PERMITS?
To obtain a permit, you can purchase it online via CapeNature’s booking portal (under the Garden Route region).
Alternatively, you can buy it at the reserve’s main gate upon arrival from 15 December.
Per CapeNature’s statement:
The Cradock Pass Trail is open to the public, while the Kouma, George and Cradock Peak trails will open in a phased approach following maintenance and signage improvements. There are permit limits per trail, and the online system will show visitors once a specific trail is fully booked for the day. Limited numbers per trail help to ensure a positive visitor experience for everyone.
WHAT IS IT IN AID OF?
It may sound like an inconvenience to pay money in order to enjoy the wonders of nature reserves like Outeniqua.
However, it’s all for a good reason. CapeNature says that all revenue generated through the permit fee will directly fund conservation initiatives. Such initiatives will help “keep the reserve clean, safe and enjoyable for all visitors.”
As such, you get to both bask in the beauty of Outeniqua and help protect its ecological integrity for generations to come.
