Intaka Island image

Intaka Island

Tourist attraction National reserve

One of the Best Places To Visits in Milnerton


Address

Grand Central Precintp, 2 Park Ln, Century City, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa

Website

www.intaka.co.za

Contact

+27 21 552 6889

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (1.4K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 7:30 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 7:30 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 7:30 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: (Day of Reconciliation), 7:30 am to 5 pm, Hours might differ
  • Sunday: 7:30 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: 7:30 am to 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 7:30 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: boat (17) walk (16) birds (15) bird (15) good (13) nature (12) Intaka (12) kids (10) great (10) ride (10)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Lauren M. 1 year ago on Google
    A birders paradise! Take your camera, bring patience and walk around this beautiful man made dam in the middle of an urban area! The idea behind this is definitely education on birds and nature! It's an morning or afternoon trip. You can walk or take a boat trip! It's a really good couple of hours in nature! Photographers will love birding photos! 🙌🙌🙌
    12 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 nokwazi s. 1 year ago on Google
    A beautiful place to go bird-watching. It is located at Century City. So if you're at Canal Walk Mall you can walk about 10 mins to get to Intaka Learning Centre. Please look up the entry prices. No more than (as of current) 50 bucks for an adult. Do enjoy 🤗 PS: I had a lovely time enjoying my snacks. I did not feed the birds☠️ please don't get at me 😂
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark H. 1 year ago on Google
    Hidden gem this island. Nestled and tucked towards the center of century city. A must for anyone looking to do something outdoors and educational with the kids. Lots of informative and friendly staff to assist you with all there is to do during your experience on the island.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 slondile n. 1 year ago on Google
    Self guided tour with a short introduction about he centre from the reception. Pamphlets provided. Lovely secured place to visit with 2km trail suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Restrooms available on the trail. Well marked trail and easy to walk. Nice views and amazing birds to watch. Beautiful gardens, the wetland is educational and have affordable boat rides.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zafeer P. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing hidden gem in Century City. Perfect example of Nature based environmental restoration and rejuvenation. Tranquil and peaceful walkways meaner around the wetlands beeming with birdlife and fauna.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Keith L. 2 years ago on Google
    Intaka Island is a stunning place for bird photographers and birders alike. A beautiful place to relax too and it's not expensive to visit.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Phoebe V. 9 months ago on Google
    The nicest thing about this place, it was like discovering a jewel in your own nearby vicinity.... I don't think many are aware of this, delightful,interesting,educational site. Do yourself a favour, go out & explore & see for yourself......
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Janien R. 7 months ago on Google
    This was a really great educational outing. My eldest has a bird fascination and this outing really lit his face up. Lovely walkways and the boat ride was very educational
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Diane W. 1 year ago on Google
    The place is lovely the walking Trail is really nice for kids an adults alike... The boat trip is okish its a nice little ride not tht much birds more buildings lol but it's 30 min an for a family of 4 to pay R300 its abit much.. R80 for adults an R70 for kids not really worth it. My kids enjoyed the walking Trail better... Anyway but overall it's a nice outing.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Johann L. 1 year ago on Google
    Really nice but they need to add a few things and get their maintenance in order. We went for the board ride and the boat had some issues and the speaker wasn't working. They don't sell anything to drink either. This could be a great place but they need to sharpen up a bit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 sachin n. 1 year ago on Google
    A true gem of a place nestled within such a bustling area. You get lost in the sights and sounds of nature and forget that you're so close to modern life. I'm pleased to have learned about the expansion into the old Ratanga Junction lands.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Theodor F. 3 years ago on Google
    Been on my to do list for 2 years. Heaven knows why I waited so long. Clean and neat. Was very relaxing just sitting in the boat cruising around the island. Knowledgeable guide was warm and friendly. A must for parents with kids.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Muhammad Yahyaa I. 3 months ago on Google New
    The leaves rustles and the birds chirp… nice for a short walk. The main route is about 1 km and is quite accessible. The secondary route is like walking in the bush past all the salt pans. Lots of birdlife to see; take a binoculars. Nice to see how they naturally filter the Century City canal water over here.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Yasmeen E. 1 year ago on Google
    Intaka Island is a beautiful place to do some birdwatching. With over 120 species of birds as well as other animals you will see something noteworthy. Unfortunately due to the attitudes of the more serious birders/photographers the experience was not altogether inviting. The birdhide was crowded by a group of people who did not consider outsiders (or perhaps who they percieve as amateurs) and I was greeted by loud sighs and mumbling when I tried to unobtrusively snap a few pics. Thanks to the kindness of 3 other 'outsiders' the experience was not overly tainted and I will likely return. The hides have signs in them that talk about how to interact with the wildlife... Perhaps an additional sign on Ubuntu and consideration is needed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Paul W. 3 years ago on Google
    Birds , ducks , water , whhoo ho. This is one very cool little spot , hidden jewel for twitches and photographers. One can always bump into old friends and recognizable faces in the bird hides. It ca get very intense when Mr. Giant Heron goes around killing little ducks.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Enid S. 3 years ago on Google
    We did a family walk late noon. Prolific bird life made this really enjoyable. The park is clean and well structured with benches placed in strategic areas under shade. The bird hides are really great for the keen birder. There is an entrance fee to enjoy the park. Some of the wooden steps do need maintenance. An island amongst high rise buildings.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Minas L. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful peaceful place from the hustle & bustle at Canal Wlak. Well priced. Receive nature at its splendor. Well worth a return visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Arief D. 4 years ago on Google
    Nature within the city

  • 5/5 Pierre P. 4 years ago on Google
    Quite amazing. We did the full moon hike and seeing the nocturnal animals under a super moon was exceptional!

  • 5/5 Siphelele S. 4 years ago on Google
    An amazing space and trails good for a run or cycling... If more people would know about it

  • 5/5 Saliegh B. 3 years ago on Google
    Cool

  • 5/5 John G. 2 years ago on Google
    An incredible resource in the center of Century City. A real sanctuary for birds and small wildlife. Friendly, involved staff and very well maintained facility. Necessarily contained it makes a great outing with small kids.

  • 5/5 Jacqueline Z. 2 years ago on Google
    Brilliant outing for Grade 1. Boat ride, bird watching and identifying walk and a pond dipping activity where children got to look at creatures through a microscope. Lovely guides. Knowledgeable and kind and friendly with children. Clean toilet facilities and undercover area to have lunch. Bring your own lunch and water.

  • 5/5 Winnie M. 2 years ago on Google
    Good for a day out for having a nature walk with the little ones

  • 4/5 Marianne K. 2 years ago on Google
    A wonderful hike through nature right in the city centre with an abundance of indigenous flora, birds and elusive small animals. Wheelchair access is okay, but wheelchair users who want to visit Intaka on their own may find some of sections of the circular trail very steep, and a section along the big pond sloping rather precariously to the side - perhaps as a result of erosion. Hopefully plans are in place to level these paths.

  • 5/5 Cray T. 2 years ago on Google
    I fell in love with the birds because of Intaka Island! You really appreciate God and the beauty of Century City, initially I thought it would be a fun romantic day with my partner and we had planned a picnic basket but it turned out to be more - it was educational but in a very fun way. I enjoyed the tour guide as he gave us a ride on the boat and enlightened us on the different water systems that are friendly to Mother Nature . It’s great for everyone of all ages

  • 3/5 Jenita E. 2 years ago on Google
    The only thing of the island that is still in good condition is the circular walk path. The dams etc need some cleaning otherwise there will not be any water birds left. The boat trip is nice but if you don't sit next to the guide, you hear nothing that he explains due to the engines of boat. Don't think it is worth the money. Can maybe have a little shop with refreshments.

  • 5/5 Nathan T. 3 years ago on Google
    Very friendly staff. Quite, peacfull, go trhough at your own pace and lots of tranquility and does effort with the kids

  • 5/5 Johan van der W. 3 years ago on Google
    Great for bird watching and well maintained pathways and birdhides.

  • 4/5 David P. 3 years ago on Google
    Some good birding.

  • 5/5 Craig B. 3 years ago on Google
    Always a pleasure coming out here. Clean, sanitized, friendly staff. And such amazing birdlife!

  • 4/5 Judelle D. 3 years ago on Google
    The boat ride is great. Then walk and enjoy 2 bird hides plus walking paths. Tranquillity amidst an urban jungle!

  • 5/5 mpumelelo p. 1 year ago on Google
    Great environmental education center with lots of interesting things to capture pictures by...and awesome service from boat cruise ladies

  • 3/5 Steve J. 1 year ago on Google
    It was a day that the birds decided not to show so the mosquitoes took over but an enjoyable outing. Wheelchair friendly but a very bumpy ride. The educational boma was great with a huge braai dish so a good area to chill for the whole day

  • 5/5 John S. 4 years ago on Google
    Intaka Island is just a pleasure, very relaxing boat trip around the canal. The walk around to the bird hides is also well worth the R15 charge. Lots of birds to see if you take your time. It is amazing that it is set along side the Canal Walk Shopping Centre and all the accommodation blocks.

  • 4/5 Louis J. 3 years ago on Google
    Very nice little wildernis gem in the city Enjoyed my 1st visit

  • 5/5 Werner M. 3 years ago on Google
    What a huge and pleasant surprise to have found this gem in the middle of Cape Town! I am an amateur photographer, and Intaka is a perfect place for bird photography. It's a beautiful place just to unwind, and to take a leasurely stroll through the beautiful reserve. Clean and organized, Intaka is amazing! I paid R150 for a membership, so will now be visiting weekly.

  • 4/5 Lauren 3 years ago on Google
    Had a lovely long walk on Intaka Island today. So wonderful to emerge in nature in the middle of the city and to see the good work they do for the area. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because some of the platforms and lookouts were a bit dilapidated.

  • 4/5 Harry F. 3 years ago on Google
    This is an unexpectedly beautiful spot in the middle of a relatively new large-scale residential area next to the Century City shopping centre and surrounding commercial complex. It was developed on a bird sanctuary on the Cape wetlands. When the development began, 20 years ago, Capetonians were deeply concerned that the developers were going to do a token job just to placate the building authority. How wrong we were. The sanctuary has a visitor's centre, observation posts for serious birdwatchers, boat tours around the waterway, and you can get guided tours at prices that even South Africans can afford. They've taken care to ensure that the vegetation is typically indigenous and the area is properly landscaped and diligently maintained. And you'll learn a lot. There is pretty good and quite pricey residential construction on the exterior edge of the waterway and good vehicular access via bridges to the interior of the island. The security is good, which is the first thing that South African property buyers typically ask about. Of course it still gets the good old Cape wind, which can blow for days at a time, but usually just provides good "air conditioning" for the hot summer weather. There are masses of trees and tall vegetation which provide wind breaks that are far more effective to any man-made structure (a well-known architectural fact) There is a well-paved circular walkway all round the island on the outer bank of the waterway and my wife and I and my 5-year-old grandson go there about once every 7-14 days, just to walk, take the air, feed the ducks, and get a meal or coffee and the small cakes which are forbidden to my grandson at home. A road away from the island are coffee shops, etc., and a private day hospital. A half-kilometre away is the biggest and probably most luxurious retirement complex in Cape Town. If you've had a really stressful morning cooped up in an office in the city, this would be a good place to go to get your blood pressure back down. No doubt it will go back up again when you get home and find out what your teenage kids have done, but its worth the visit anyway!

  • 5/5 Reason N. 3 years ago on Google
    Good for Birding experience

  • 4/5 aleck j. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place

  • 5/5 KHAN AIKINS T. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely recreational site. Lot of bird species

  • 3/5 Riyaad S. 3 years ago on Google
    Ambient walk.

  • 4/5 Achmad S. 3 years ago on Google
    Fun boat ride, the guide seems to know his stuff about the surrounding landscape.

  • 5/5 Daphine Fadzai G. 3 years ago on Google
    The guide was amazing

  • 5/5 Ina Von B. 3 years ago on Google
    Love it

  • 5/5 Marietjie J. 3 years ago on Google
    Kids loved the boat ride. A beautiful experience.

  • 5/5 Craig S. 3 years ago on Google
    Always great being outdoors at Intaka Island and staff super friendly and helpful.

  • 3/5 Ludfeyah S. 3 years ago on Google
    The boat ride in the canals was a bit too short. You could barely hear the guide speak over the motor of the boat/raft. So the people sitting the furthest from the guide won't learn anything from the guide's talks. There are not really any activities for people except smaller kids and school excursions.

  • 5/5 Marcello H. 3 years ago on Google
    Took a nice stroll with the family

  • 5/5 Ben S. 3 years ago on Google
    it is beautiful nature, like an adventure

  • 5/5 nicolene du p. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful, educational and safe environment. Lovely walk for young and old.

  • 5/5 Charles W. 3 years ago on Google
    Very good birding place

  • 5/5 Catherine F. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful, relaxing walk around Intaka Island.

  • 5/5 Miché G. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely place 💫 Learning about the birds and all, loved the experience

  • 5/5 Shaun B. 3 years ago on Google
    I was quite surprised by the bird density and variety! They have done well putting together this inner city conservation area.

  • 5/5 Adrian W. 3 years ago on Google
    Came to Intaka Island to see birds. Ended up buying expensive camera gear to get closer to the birds I saw, without disturbing them. 😂

  • 5/5 Lourens van R. 3 years ago on Google
    Inner City Zen!!

  • 5/5 Charl B. 3 years ago on Google
    Nature Reserve, teeming with bird life, easily accessible, well maintained, safe parking and affordable. Great for bird photography.

  • 5/5 Ilse Van Der P. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful scenery, very relaxing. Educational guides for children and adults. You will often see school groups here, which is a great experience for kids with a bit of what nature offers that is no too far out and closer to schools than bigger nature reserves. So basically.. a tiny bit of nature in the middle of a city. Covid-19 updates have been implemented so self-guided walks apply. It would be best to contact the information center or check the website for current rules and regulations.

  • 5/5 Adri H. 3 years ago on Google
    I love this place. So well maintained and tranquil. Beautiful

  • 4/5 Lion Academy - Classroom for A. 4 years ago on Google
    5 star is it was larger. This reserves is a great escape from the buzzy city life. "Sad reminder of what Century City was like before being bulldozed into a concrete jungle which was unnecessary." - my 5cents Blessed a part of it is untouched and hopefully we can learn a few lessons in preserving our natural beauty and environment by dedicating allowing developments to dedicated larger percentage to nature when developing in sensitive areas.


Call +27 21 552 6889 Open on Google Maps

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