De Mond Nature Reserve

De Mond guards the mouth of the Heuningnes River, a slow estuary that opens through dunes onto a long empty beach a short way east of Cape Agulhas. It is small, 918 hectares and a Ramsar wetland since 1986, flat and largely unvisited, which is the point - the sandbanks are a breeding site for the Damara tern, a small migratory seabird that nests on open sand and is easily disturbed, and for African black oystercatchers. The Sterna trail loops about seven kilometres over a suspension footbridge, through milkwood thicket and along the shore. Vegetation here is limestone fynbos and coastal thicket rather than the tall mountain fynbos further west. The estuary is used by anglers under permit, birds gather in numbers on the exposed mud at low water, and whales pass offshore in season. There are no shops, no restaurant and almost no shade.

Highlights

• The Damara terns - a small seabird breeding on open sand, easily disturbed.
• The Sterna trail - a seven-kilometre loop over a suspension footbridge.
• The estuary mouth - the Heuningnes opening through dunes to an empty beach.
• The emptiness - a reserve with almost no visitors even in high season.

When to go

September to April, which covers the tern breeding season. Half a day.

Before you go

Access is gravel road and the reserve is small - a couple of hours covers it. Nesting areas are closed in season and dogs are not allowed. No facilities beyond basic ablutions and a few cottages. Wind off this coast is constant.

Nearby

Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai are along the coast; Bredasdorp is inland.

Key facts