Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area

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This 52 hectare conservation area lies in the centre of the Kenilworth Racecourse and is the largest conservation area surrounded by urbanisation remaining in Cape Town's southern suburbs. It is also the best example of sand fynbos remaining in the Cape Peninsula.

The area was opened as a racecourse in 1882 and due to the nature of the land use, allowed for the conservation of the area within the track. In recent years the conservation area was identified as “irreplaceable” on the Cape Town Biodiversity Network.

In 2006, a management agreement between the City of Cape Town, Gold Circle and CapeNature was established. A permanent conservation management team was put in place and the Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area (KRCA) was formed.

The KRCA hosts more than 300 indigenous plant species of which 34 are considered to be threatened with extinction. Some of these species include: Diastella proteoides, Erica margaritacea, Leucadendron levisanus, Morea elsiae, Restio micans and Disa barbata. Many of these rare species are endemic to Cape Flats sand fynbos of which the conservation area is comprised. Controlled burns were performed in 2005 and annually from 2010 to 2013. This led to the rediscovery of a plant species, the cinnamon sambreëltjie (Hessea cinnamomea) which hasn’t flowered for more than 70 years. Adding to the significance of the site are the nine or so seasonal wetlands in the conservation area.

Apart from the botanical importance of the site, KRCA is also of great faunal significance. It is home to 11 amphibians, including the Critically Endangered micro frog (Microbatrachella capensis), the Endangered Cape platanna (Xenopus gilli) and the Cape rain frog (Breviceps gibbosus), all of which are endemic to the South Western Cape, rendering KRCA the hottest hotspot for amphibian life on the Cape Flats.

Home to a presumed 17 reptiles, including the parrot-beaked tortoise (Homopus areolatus), the rare Aurora house snake (Lamprophis aurora) and a small mammal community of at least 10 species. A newly discovered species includes the Brant’s climbing mouse (Dendromus mesomelas). The site also supports a healthy bird community of at least 80 species that take up residence or frequent the reserve. One such bird is the rare peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).

ADDRESS: Kenilworth Racecourse, Rosmead Avenue, Kenilworth GPS -33.997208 S, 18.478439 E

OPENING HOURS: Visits by prior arrangement only. Office hours 07:30-16:00

ENTRANCE FEE*: R5 (unless otherwise stated)
*Fees subject to change

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Taxi, bus or train

ACTIVITIES: Guided walks, hacks, children’s events and Friends of the KRCA activities

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: Interactive programmes are available on five different topics at a cost of R5 per person

FRIENDS GROUP: Friends of Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area, E-mail: fkrca-owner@yahoogroups.com

Cape Town Green Map
updated 10/2014 by Cape Town Green Map