Intaka Island

Cape Town


Intaka means ‘bird’ in Xhosa and you can see 120 feathered species, as well as 200-plus plant species, at this 1600-sq-metre wetland reserve. Learn about the wetlands and a host of green subjects in the Sustainability Area and Eco-Centre, from where you can take a 40-minute ferry ride through the canals that circle the island, or follow the 2km walking trail.

You'll see the reserve's protected salt pans and man-made section, where the water in the Century City development's canal network is purified.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Cape Town attractions

1. Langa Mosaic Plinths

3.86 MILES

Each side of these colourful, mosaic-decorated plinths has a different theme, related to township history. One is the only memorial to the Mendi, a troop…

2. Langa Pass Museum

3.86 MILES

Step inside a grim apartheid relic at Langa's old pass office, where black people had to present their identity cards, and the attached court, where they…

3. Guga S’Thebe Arts & Cultural Centre

3.86 MILES

Decorated with polychromatic ceramic murals, this is one of the most impressive buildings in the townships – even more so now that it has a theatre,…

4. Two Rivers Urban Park

4.01 MILES

Covering some 240 hectares around the confluence of the Liesbeek and Black Rivers, this new park is one of the city's largest, with the potential to…

5. Bijou

4.11 MILES

There are studio spaces for artists and craftspeople in this fabulous art-deco building, once a cinema, including that of blacksmith Conrad Hicks. Some of…

6. De Grendel

4.31 MILES

Established in 1720, the closest of the Durbanville wineries to Cape Town has a jaw-dropping view of Table Mountain from its tasting room. There's also a…

7. Greatmore Studios

4.47 MILES

This pioneer of the Woodstock art scene provides studio space for local artists and visiting overseas artists, with the idea of providing skills transfer…

8. Cape Town Science Centre

4.5 MILES

Occupying a rare example of the work of modernist architect Max Policansky, this is a great place to bring kids for attractions such as the giant…