Intaka Island is open to visitors and groups 354 days a year (closed on 25 December).
07:30 - 19:00
07:30 - 17:30
Geo link: -33.888015, 18.513004
Melissa February
Alan Liebenberg
General
Intaka Island is open to visitors and groups 364 days a year (closed on 25 December).
07:30 - 19:00
Oct - Apr
07:30 - 17:30
May - Sep
Adult R22.00
with boat ride R65.00
Children (under 12 years) R13.00
with boat ride R55.00
Pensioners R13.00
with boat ride R55.00
Booking is essential with a boat ride.
Learner (entrance only)10.00
Learner Educational Programme (3 activities)R40.00
Educator (1 free per 10 learners)R45.00
AdultR45.00
Century City Family R160.00
Century City resident individual R80.00
Family member other areas R250.00
Individual membership other areas R140.00
Century City pensioner R65.00
Pensioner other areas R80.00
Student R80.00
Bird Mountain overlooks the large expanse of deep open water of Cell 3 on the man-made half of the wetland where one can watch the flurry of activity surrounding the heronries.
Perched on the highest point of Intaka island, Bird mountain offers panoramic views across the island with Table Mountain as the backdrop.
You can enjoy all the beauty Intaka Island has to offer by taking a leisurely stroll around the 2km of footpaths available. There are 9 stations that you will have access to on the self-guided trail, each offering you a different insight into the bird, water life, flora and fauna that is encompassed in Intaka Island.
The 2km circular path takes you around both the constructed wetland and ephemeral pans, whereas the shorter circular 1km route takes you around the constructed wetland with lookout points over the ephemeral pans. This route is also wheelchair and pram friendly! Maps, brochures and bird checklists are available at reception for those who want tick what you see as you make your way around Intaka Island. We also request that you stay on the designated paths and not disrupt the vegetation.
Let one of our experienced Field Rangers take you around the 9 stations, giving you added information about the inhabitants and different plant life you see. They will help you with bird identification, information on breeding habits and other unique insights into this very special island. These guided trails are included in the entrance fee, but it is advised to phone in advance as our rangers may be occupied with school or other groups.
Our indigenous garden, located alongside the Educational Lapa boasts a wealth of different plants that are used for both medicinal and cooking purposes. With sign posts for each one, visitors can meander through the gardens taking in the interesting facts and qualities of these plants.
Take a tranquil ferry ride on the Grand Canal and around Intaka Island and enjoy the fresh air and breath-taking views of Century City. The duration of the ride is approximately 35 minutes and the boat operates as follows:
09:30am – 3:30pm Saturday – Thursday,
09:30 – 2pm Friday,
with a special "hop on hop off" feature at Canal Walk and Crystal Towers. Booking is essential. To book your boat trip call 021 552 6889 or email melissa@intaka.co.za.
Designed and constructed by our Intaka Staff, our educational lapa lies in the heart of Intaka Island and is used for a range of different activities including school groups and sleep overs, birthday parties, Intaka Island events or simply a spot for visitors to stop and have a picnic.
Home to over 120 species of birds, Intaka Island is a must for any bird watcher! Although a lot of activity can be spotted throughout the island, two designated bird hides have been constructed at key areas to maximise your enjoyment and chances of spotting the more elusive birds or the notoriously camera shy water-mongoose!
With Intaka Island’s central proximity and large diversity of plant, insect and bird life it has become a firm favorite with wild-life photographers. The bird hides have become a second home at sunrise for the more dedicated photographers, whilst others simply enjoy improving their skills and, through their lens, enjoying what the wetland has to offer.
Calling all canoeists, Stand Up Paddlers, rowers and dragon boaters! Century City welcomes and encourages you to take advantage of our 8km of protected navigable canals - however, no motorized boats allowed.
Please note that these are private waters, so if you want to join in on the fun, contact the Century City 021 552 6889 or on info@centurycity.co.za for permits and any further information.
Intaka Island, an award-winning 16 hectare wetlands and bird sanctuary, is home to 177 species of indigenous fynbos plants and 120 bird species. Intaka – which means 'bird' in Xhosa – is a unique example of nature conservation and urban development co-existing in harmony. Apart from its environmental significance, the area offers a place of solace to take a stroll, relax, and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life
When the development of Century City began in 1996, the 250 hectare area was largely covered by invasive alien vegetation (mainly Port Jackson acacias) and a number of degraded wetlands. A large number of water birds used one of these wetlands and the surrounding flooded vegetation as a breeding site.
In the environmental impact assessment (EIA) which preceded development, it was recommended that a multi-purpose nature reserve be created in the centre of Century City. The Century City property developer, Rabie Property Group, decided to do this, both as a contribution to conservation and to create an attractive and functional wetland for the Century City environment. Intaka Island is the result and it represents a uniquely successful union of conservation and property development.
Intaka Island received Voluntary Conservation Status from Cape Nature in October 2006 and the construction of an Environmental Education Centre was completed in 2010. Intaka Island and Eco-Centre now plays host to a range of visitors ranging from pensioners and school groups to corporate training functions and birthday parties.
The Trust was established inter alia as the fundraising vehicle for both the construction of the Eco‑Centre as well as its ongoing operational costs. It has been approved by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as a Public Benefit Organisation enabling it to issue Section 18A certificates to all donors and sponsors. Read More
The Trust runs a number of environmental education programmes out of its newly constructed multi-functional Eco-Centre. Intaka Island is rapidly becoming known as an exciting environmental education destination with 13 321 visitors passing through the Eco-Centre during the initial start up year of operation (2011) which included 77 school groups from 65 different schools.
The construction of the Intaka Island Eco-Centre started in early 2010 and obtained widespread stakeholder support, from the CCPOA Board of Directors, Century City based corporates, including the Rabie Property Group, and the broader community. The construction costs of this modern, energy conscious, enviro-friendly green educational building was funded by donations of financial contributions, building materials and professionals time from environmentally conscious corporates and individuals. The Eco-Centre was completed in October 2010 and includes an assembly area, an educational activity room, reception, ablution and catering facilities, as well as an outdoor sustainable living classroom.
A team of 9 staff have been employed to run the Eco-Centre and its related programmes and activities. The team comprises an Eco-Centre Co-ordinator, a receptionist, three field rangers, a cleaner, two boat skippers and a rope hand. It will be necessary to grow this team as the take-up of the existing programmes increases and the programme offering expands.
The establishment of the team has been an exciting opportunity to create jobs, empower and upskill people. For example, two of our three field rangers were previously security guards responsible for monitoring the entrance to the Intaka Island Nature Reserve. They displayed an interest in the environment and were offered employment as field rangers. They have successfully completed a number of training courses which has qualified them as guides and empowered them to conduct tours of the Eco-Centre and Intaka Island. They are also fully competent to run all the primary have successfully completed a number of training courses which has
qualified them as guides and empowered them to conduct tours of the Eco-Centre and Intaka Island. They are also fully competent to run all the primary school educational programmes which includes bird and plant identification, water quality experiments, energy self sufficiency and natural resource recycling demonstrations, etc.
A further example is the employment, empowerment and upskilling of two general labourers who have undergone training and obtained their boat skippers licences. They are now fully competent to skipper our two launch boats which take visitors on a tour of the 8km’s of canals around Intaka Island. They also provide commentary during the boat ride sharing relevant information pertaining to both the surrounding natural and urban environments. A third labourer has been employed as a rope hand on the boats and will be undergoing training for his skippers licence during the course of the year.
This multi-functional Environmental Education Centre accommodating groups of up to 75 at any one time, includes an assembly area, educational activity centre, reception, catering and ablution facilities.
Contact Person: Melissa February
Contact Number: 021 552 6889
Email: melissa@intaka.co.za
Contact Person: Alan Liebenberg
Contact Number: 021 552 6889
Email: alanl@centurycity.co.za
Contact Person: General
Contact Number: 021 552 6889
Email: info@intaka.co.za
Longitude and Latitude of Intaka Island: -33.888015, 18.513004
Contact the Eco-Centre manager to tailor make a program for you that will suit the needs, age and size of the group as well as the time available for the visit.
Contact the Eco-Centre manager to tailor make a program for you that will suit the needs, age and size of the group as well as the time available for the visit.
Educational Programme:
(boat ride, island tour and educational activity)
Learner R40.00
Educator (1 educator free for every 10 learners)R45.00
Educational Programme:
(island tour only)
Learner R10.00
Educator (1 educator free for every 10 learners)R13.00
We usually go ahead with the programme, we just advise everybody dresses warmly and accordingly.
Yes there will be a 20 minute break included in the program.
Cancellations can be made within 14 days of your visit to Intaka Island. If there is a cancellation after 14 days you are required to pay a 50% deposit with your next booking to Intaka Island.
Educational programs usually run for 3 hours thus the program runs from 9:30am until 12:30pm. However we are flexible and you can also give us your time constraints and we will try and work around it.
Intaka Island does not have a coffee shop. Brick Lane restaurant is just a 5 minute walk away.
Learners are only required to bring a packed lunch and we supply the rest.
Organised, educational, professional, fun!
Stepping Stones Montessori
A lovely and safe outing for all grades!
St. Cyprians School
Very informative and educational. Keep up with the good work.
Hyde Park Primary School
organised and informative.
Kirstenhof Primary School
Boat ride- They love it. It's a fun, educational day!
Greenfield Girls Primary School
Island Tour- Informative and always fun. Tour guides controlled the groups well.
Wynberg Boys' Junior School
Thank you - enjoyed it!
Somerset College
Well organised, great outing idea, friendly staff.
Aqua Circle of Friends
Lovely centre combining nature + education
Wynberg Boys' Junior School
Fun day for all learners.
Sunningdale Primary School
A lovely all-round active day + learning experience.
Wynberg Girls' Junior School
A very well organised day. Thank you.
Herzlia Middle School
This multi-functional Environmental Education Centre accommodating groups of up to 75 at any one time, includes an assembly area, educational activity centre, reception, catering and ablution facilities.
Aside from meeting enviro-educational needs as well as showcasing to our visitors sustainable living best practices which optimise energy and natural resource efficiencies, the Eco-Centre is also the ideal workshop facility.
The Intaka Island Eco-Centre offers a range of venue hire options to suit all needs and requirements. From workshops, training sessions, product launches and exhibitions to, picnics, birthday parties and limited team building events.
Visitors can park in the parking area to the north of the island and then cross onto the island via a bridge across the Circular Canal. Just over the bridge is the Intaka Island Environmental Education Centre where you can obtain your entrance ticket, meet your guide and pick up basic tour info and pamphlets for Intaka.
We are constantly striving to improve our facilities and expand our outreach programs to underprivileged schools and organisations. If you would like a make a donation to assist in making our dream a reality please do so here.
DonateAs a donor your name will be added to the donors list on our website as well as our donors board at the Intaka Island Eco-Centre.
The Western half of Intaka Island is made up of constructed wetlands which mainly serve the needs for water purification, habitat for breeding water birds, and the recreation and education of visitors. The Eastern half consists of seasonal pans and sand plain fynbos which are both rare habitat types in great need of conservation. The management approach to these two areas needs to be different in order to meet their objectives.
The Century City Property Owners’ (CCPOA) manage Intaka Island and is monitored and guided by the Intaka Island Blouvlei Environmental Committee.
This committee is made up of representatives of the CCPOA, the environmental manager, Mr. Alan Liebenberg, and various environmental specialists including a botanist, an ornithologist, an environmental manager from the City of Cape Town and a member from Cape Nature.
This group meets on a monthly basis and provides their expertise in the implementation of the EMP for Intaka Island.
The setting aside of land for a nature reserve is only the first step in a conservation process. The next step is to draw up an environmental management plan (EMP), which is a working document and is regularly updated. Intaka Island had EMPs for the construction and development phases of the reserve, and now has a relatively new EMP for the operational phase. The bulk of the EMP relates to 10 explicit environmental goals which cover the aims of Intaka Island.
For the full environmental plan
please click hereIntaka Island's wetlands and canals demonstrate how engineering and natural processes can be used to improve the conservation of water.
The South Western half of Intaka Island was originally known as the Sewe Pannietjies before it was redesigned into four distinct ponds (called cells) with indigenous wetland vegetation. These constructed cells fulfil the natural role of a wetland, which is to filter and clean water.
The water is sourced from the 7km of canals that flow around Intaka Island and Century City, and is pumped daily into the constructed wetlands through the four cells where it is cleaned before being returned to the canal system.
This cell is very different from the first two in that it is relatively large and deep, comprising mainly of open water. This is done to expose the water to wind, which aids the oxygenation process of bacteria that break down the nitrogenous compounds that flourish in this open water.
Cell 3 is also home to the award winning heronries (wooded islands), which are designed to encourage birds to roost and breed.
The first two cells are dominated by dense cape reed beds (Phragmites). These fast-growing plants are capable of absorbing large amounts of phosphate and other nutrients, thus starting the cleaning process.
The surface area of this cell is quite large and shallow, and so allows for the growth of reeds and for oxygen to re-enter the water. The reed beds also create a habitat for a large number of birds.
The last cell is once again different from the other cells in that is a very shallow marshland, with high diversity of vegetation that adds the final step to the water “scrubbing” process before the water re-enters the canal system.
• the canal system is approximately 7km long
• with an average depth of 1.6m
• water flows by gravity though the wetlands, completing a round trip in approximately 65 days.
There are 212 different species of indigenous plants (plants of Sand plain fynbos) that can be found on Intaka Island, many of which produce attractive flowers from late winter to early summer. Twenty four of these plants are on the Red Data list, that is, they are rare and threated with extinction Cape Flats.
Sand Fynbos (CFSF), previously known as Sand Plain Fynbos, is a critically endangered vegetation type that occurs only within the city of Cape Town. Less than 1% of this unique lowland Fynbos vegetation is conserved. Intaka Island is one of the few places that you can still experience this endemic veldt.
For more information on our annual reports, please contact Alan Liebenberg on alanl@centurycity.co.za
Intaka boasts 120 different bird species in a safe, easy-to-reach area due to the diversity of Intaka Islands 7 different habitats. The terrestrial habitat of fynbos, shrubs and grasses attracts birds like the Cape Francolin, Weavers and Cape Sparrows. The shrub areas provide safe foraging areas for Cape White-Eyes, Robin Chats and Spotted Prinias while the open water is suitable for the Cape Shoveller, Yellow Billed Duck, Red Knobbed Coot and Moorhen. Reed Beds provide food and nesting for the Little Bittern, Purple Swamphen, Masked Weaver, Red Bishop and Levaillant’s Cisticola.
With bird-watching being one of the fastest growing recreational activities, Intaka Island offers birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts in general a unique opportunity to discover and study our birds up close in their natural habitat.
A number of birds also make use of the man made heronries on Intaka Island for breeding and roosting. These heronries have been recognized internationally for both their simple construction and success at attracting birds.
For more information on our annual reports, please contact Alan Liebenberg on alanl@centurycity.co.za
Keep an eye on what’s happening on Intaka Island with our 4 newly installed webcams.
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