The Best Dams & Rivers for Swimming in the Cape

Drought notwithstanding, Cape Town is dotted with a refreshing array of amazing dams and rivers where you enjoy scenic and exhilarating dips – sans the sand and the crowds. And considering the high temperatures Cape Town faces during summer, there’s hardly a better way to beat the heat than plunging into a crystal-clear rock pool (made all the more rewarding if you have to hike to reach it). These are our favourite reservoirs and rivers for alfresco dipping.

1.Palmiet River

Located in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, this walk is one that should not be missed. The trail follows the river where swimming is possible in some of the first few pools.

The incredible scenery and floral wonders make this four hour walk very worthwhile, and you will possibly come back and do it again!

Where: Near Kleinmond
Distance from CT: Around 1 hour 45 minutes
The Palmiet River feeds the apple farms of Grabouw, before passing through the town of Kleinmond. Your best point of access is the Palmiet River Trail in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve; a great spot for swimming, hiking and exploring the nearby sandy coastline.
Dog-friendly? Pets are not allowed in CapeNature reserves.
Opening times: Daily, 7.30am– 4pm (gate closes at 7pm)
Cost R50 (adults); R30 (children)
Contact 087 288 0499 (reserve office)
087 087 8250, reservation.alert@capenature.co.za (for permits)
Where to find it: Kogelberg Nature Reserve, via N2 to Kleinmond or vis Gordons Bay and Clarens Drive

2. Krom River Trail

The beauty of this hike in the Limietberg Nature Reserve is that it’s rewarding from the very start. The path follows the river up the valley and when it veers up onto the hill you have amazing views of the surrounding mountain peaks. Once you turn up into the kloof you’ll walk through magical indigenous riverine forest. There are swimming spots dotted along the way with the last two pools being well worth the extra effort.

Where: Paarl
Distance from CT :Around 1 hour
The Limietberg Nature Reserve offers some of the best hiking trails in the Western Cape, and the Krom River trail in particular stands out, as it guides you past waterfalls and deep, translucent rock pools that are clear enough to snorkel in. The water is ice cold, but that will probably come as a relief after the long hike.
Please note: You’ll need to bring some cash, as using the Huguenot tunnel requires a toll.
Dog-friendly? Pets are not allowed in CapeNature Reserves.
Opening times: Daily, 8am – 6pm
Cost: R50 (adults); R30 (children)
Please note Permits can be purchased at Du Kloof Trout Farm (just after the tunnel on your left) or from the CapeNature booking office. Only 24 permits are issued per day to prevent overcrowding, so plan ahead.
Contact :021 871 1535 / 087 087 4145 (reserve office)
087 087 8250, reservation.alert@capenature.co.za (permits)
Where to find it:Du Toitskloof (to the left after the Worcester exit of the Huguenot Tunnel), Limietberg Nature Reserve (via N1)

3. Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve lies just outside of Stellenbosch, surrounded by the imposing Jonkershoek mountains that in turn form part of the larger Boland mountain range (part of the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve).

In total, the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is 9 800 hectares of mountain catchment area that provides a rugged terrain for hikers, whilst Assegaaibosch, which is included in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, is more popular with those with a picnic and light stroll in mind, or something slightly less taxing than attempting the peaks of Jonkershoek.

Where:Stellenbosch
Distance from CT: 1 hour
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, which includes the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, lies near the town of Stellenbosch in the southwestern Cape. The reserve comprises the imposing Jonkershoek mountains and portions of the upper Jonkershoek valley. There are two very popular hiking trails, offering amazing views of the valley and the beautiful wine farms below.
The clear river water is too tempting not to dip into (if water levels allow), and while you’re there, you can also enjoy a leisurely picnic along the riverbanks under the shade of ancient trees at Assegaaibosch.
Dog-friendly?: Pets are not allowed in CapeNature reserves.
Opening times: 7.30am – 4pm
Please note

Only 80 people are allowed into Assegaaibosch picnic area per day to help with conservation efforts. Admission is on first-come-first-served basis.
No alcohol is allowed into the picnic area.

Cost: R50 (adults); R30 (children)
Contact: 087 087 4118 (reserve office)
087 087 8250, reservation.alert@capenature.co.za (permits)
Where to find it: Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Jonkershoek Road (via N1)

4. Crystal Pools Waterfalls

Jump into a pool of refreshing mountain water and escape the city just an hour outside of Cape Town when you hike to Crystal Pools near Gordon’s Bay. By “refreshing”, of course, we mean quite cold—in true Cape Town fashion. But after 45 minutes to an hour of hiking at the Steenbras Nature Reserve, it comes as sweet relief from the heat.

Where:Gordon’s Bay
Distance from CT: 1.5 to 2 hours
This hiking trail is very doable for anyone who is reasonably fit, and slightly challenging for those who are not. The rockpools along the way, where you can cool down during your walk, make it well worth the slog. The half-day hike takes you through rocky, but generally flat, terrain, and all the way at the top is a wonderful waterfall, but it is quite a trek, so make sure you have plenty of snacks, water and energy to get there.
Good to know: To ensure the hiking trails are not too crowded, a maximum of 50 people per day is allowed, so try to book as early as possible.
Dog-friendly?No
Opening times: 7.30am – 2.30pm (office hours)
6.30am – 7pm (hiking trails may differ slightly according to sunrise and sunset)
Cost: R75 per person (until 30 June 2020)
Contact: 021 444 6927, steenbras.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za (bookings must be done via email, at least 3 to 5 working days before your visit)
021 957 4725 (emergency number)
Where to find it: Steenbras Nature Reserve (via N2 and R44)

5. Berg River

The Berg River Dam is a 68-metre high dam on the Berg River in South Africa. It is the centerpiece of the Berg Water Project which is designed to capture the winter rainfall and store it for supply to Cape Town during the dry summer months.

Where:Franschhoek
Distance from CT: 50 minutes
Only 60 kilometers out of Cape Town, the Berg River Resort is a clean, family-friendly venue that’s ideal for swimming and leisurely canoeing. If river-dipping is not your thing, there are two swimming pools at the resort: a 3.5-metre-deep Olympic-sized pool and a smaller one that’s shallow enough for toddlers to splash around in, as well as a waterslide. Fancy staying overnight? There’s accommodation in comfortable chalets, as well as designated caravan and camping sites.
Dog-friendly? No
Opening times: 8am – 5pm
Please note

Berg River Resort and the adjoining farm have no access to municipal water, but the use of their own alternative water sources ensures that the pools and waterslide continue to operate during summer.
These water restrictions also apply at the resort.

Cost: R100 – R120 (day visitors, depending on season); free (children under 3); R100 – R120 (per vehicle, depending on season)
Contact:021 001 8805, info@bergriverresort.co.za
Where to find it :Berg River Resort, R45 (via N1)

6. Suicide Gorge

It starts off as an easy stroll through beautiful scenery, until you get to the top of a gorge. And then it is time to jump of cliffs into beautiful pools of water, for the next 2 hours! You jump off of waterfall after waterfall, with the highest jump 14 meters. And once you start, there is not going back!

Where: Grabouw
Distance from CT: 1.5 hours
Recommended only for hardy and experienced hikers, the Suicide Gorge trail takes you high up into the mountains… and then downhill through the gorge that gives it its name. You’ll be getting wet on this journey, so bring the appropriate gear, including lightweight hiking shoes, a swimsuit, and a change of clothes – a wetsuit is also highly recommended. Much of the 16.2km hike involves slip-sliding your way along this natural waterslide, and at certain points you’ll be required to leap off cliffs – some as high as 14 metres – into the pools below.
An adrenaline-boosting experience to be sure, but if you’d prefer a less intense adventure, the nearby Riviersonderend Route offers a similar challenge, but with fewer drops – the highest being a more manageable seven metres.
Dog-friendly? Pets are not allowed in CapeNature reserves.
Opening times: Daily, 8am – 4pm (1 November – 30 April)
Closed (May – October)
Please note

The Suicide Gorge and Riviersonderend Route may be closed at any time at the discretion of the reserve management (due to inclement weather or other unsafe conditions).
Hikers are advised to start early (no later than 9am), and must be out of the reserve by 4pm.
Groups must be guided by a registered and experienced kloofing guide. Contact CapeNature for information about guides.
No children under 12 are allowed on this trail.
As the routes are popular, advance booking is advisable.
Maximum capacity for each kloofing route is 30 people per day.
The reserve office is only open on weekdays, but there is a staff member will be on duty seven days a week.

Cost: R325 per person (for Suicide Gorge and Riviersonderend Route, cost of permit included)
Contact:028 841 4301/02 (reserve office)
087 087 8250, reservation.alert@capenature.co.za (permits)
Where to find it: Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve (via N2 and R321)

7. Silvermine Reservoir

Where: Between Hout Bay and Noordhoek
Distance from CT: 50 minutes
The large, glistening reservoir is open to everybody, including your pooches, but there are no lifeguards on duty, so swimming is at your own risk. There’s a 1km trail around the water with a boardwalk that’s easily accessible for wheelchairs and prams. There are also loads of picture-perfect picnic spots dotted around the reserve.
Dog-friendly? Yes, but dog walkers require a Level 1 My Activity Permit. Contact Tokai Plantation Office at 021 712 7471 for more information.
Opening times:Daily, 8am – 5pm (May to August); Daily, 7am – 6pm (September to April)
Cost :Conservation fee (rates valid until 31 October 2020):
R32 (SA citizens and residents with ID); R16 (SA children, 2 – 11 years)
R64 (SADC nationals with valid passport); R32 (SADC children with valid passport)
R128 (international visitors; standard conservation fee); R64 (international children; standard conservation fee)
Important note: In order to qualify for SA rates, you must be able to prove you are an SA citizen, by presenting a valid SA ID, passport or driver’s license.
Good to know: The SANParks’ My Green Card entitles you to 12 free entries into the pay points of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) within a one-year period. If you are a frequent visitor to Cape Point, Boulders, Oudekraal, Silvermine, and the braai and picnic areas at Tokai, Newlands and Perdekloof, this card is worth purchasing.
Contact: 021 712 0527, tablem@sanparks.org (Table Mountain National Park)
Where to find it :Silvermine Reservoir in Table Mountain National Park (via M3)

8. Witte and Wolwekloof River

Where:Worcester
Distance from CT: 2 hours
Tweede Tol is a campsite located near the beautiful Bainskloof Pass, and is especially popular because it provides access to hiking trails and swimming spots in the lush Limietberg Nature Reserve. Day visitors to the campsite can access the Witte River, but it’s definitely worth it to stay overnight so you can gain exclusive access to the tranquil Wolwekloof River swimming holes.
Dog-friendly? Pets are not allowed in CapeNature reserves.
Opening times: 8am – 4pm (reserve office hours)
Cost: Day pass: R50 (adults); R30 (children)
Overnight fee (excludes cost of camping accommodation): R40 (adults); R20 (children)
Contact: 021 8711 535 / 087 087 4145 (reserve office)
087 087 8250, reservation.alert@capenature.co.za (for permits)
Where to find it: Tweede Tol campsite in Limietberg Nature Reserve (via N1)