Intaka Island — Attraction in Milnerton

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...

We are amature photographers (birders) and have been visiting Intaka since around 2010. Then we always took lots photos of various kinds of birds and some other wildlife. Over time and as recent as 16 Oct 2024 we visited. These days the variety is a fraction of earlier days. The water which was always open and clear with many water birds feeding on fish plenty full, has reduced to a green carpet of smelly growth and very few birds feeding on fish, any sings of fish non existent. I got a distant photo of the Malachite King Fisher and walked past the breeding spot for the Sacred Ibis as it was too disappointing to witness the decay of almost ever aspect of the experience. So. I am stumped to read all the positive comments. Intaka is clearly not as well or effectively managed as before. I find myself constantly asking how long before it is all together abandoned.. And amazed at the regular school visits. What are you possibly teaching learners in such a delapidated environment? Being asked to make way by a group of noisy teenagers while taking a photo is also not a...

Intaka Island in Cape Town is a 16-hectare wetland reserve and bird sanctuary located within Century City, about 10 minutes from the city center. The island is a haven for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts, with over 120 bird species and 212 indigenous plant species.

Intaka Island was created as a nature reserve during the development of Century City in the late 1990s. The island's wetlands and seasonal pans were designed to purify the canal water and provide a habitat for wildlife. Today, Intaka Island is a thriving ecosystem and a popular destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and families.

The island features self-guided walking trails, including a 2km circular path and a 1km route, that allow visitors to explore the wetlands and observe the birdlife. The trails are well-maintained and wheelchair-friendly, with benches along the way to enjoy the scenery. There are dog poo bags available, but bring your own just in case the dispensers are empty. Keep your dog on a lead at all times and leave only your footprints to enjoy...