Paardevlei

Paardevlei forms part of the old AECI factory property. It is on the western side of the Lourens River Estuary and in close proximity to the Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary. It is well worth a visit as large numbers of waterbirds occur here seasonally and is easy and generally safe to visit.

Huge numbers of Greater Flamingo congregate in the vlei and recently some Lesser Flamingo have been recorded amongst them. Maccoa Duck, Southern Pochard, Cape Shoveller, Yellow-billed Duck and both Cape and Red-billed Teals are often recorded, as are Black necked, Great Crested and Little Grebes. Whiskered Terns are regularly recorded. White-winged Terns are less frequently observed. Black-crowned Night Herons inhabit the reed-beds at the Southwestern end of the vlei, and a pair of Blue Cranes was seen recently by a club member (February 2026), as well as a caracal.

Large numbers of swallows, swifts and martins and good numbers of waders are present in summer and the usual bishops, cisticolas, waxbills and weavers are evident on the vegetated margins. Raptors could include African Fish Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, Rock Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon and Black-shouldered Kite. A flat trail can be followed around the vlei and from the parking area it is possible to scan most of the water mass with a spotting scope. Although vleis are small shallow lakes nevertheless the water level is monitored and controlled at Paardevlei to try to mimic natural rise and fall with the seasons. Recently water levels have been higher due to larger than average rainfall patterns.

Directions: Leaving from Somerset Mall: Get back onto the R44, direction ‘The Strand’. At the first traffic lights just beyond the Mall boundary where De Beers Road comes in from the left to join the R44 turn right into Paardevlei precinct. Approach the booms about 100ms down the road. Entry is controlled, but easy and the parking area is on the right along the road in front of you as you enter, about 1/2km. Look for the Lorenzo Marx coffee shop near the Cheetah Outreach, it has parking or there is parking a little further along the road. The gate to the vlei path is nexct to the coffee shop garden. 

In 2025 Paardevlei was granted Nature Reserve status which is important to ensure the site is protected, aspecially as the whole area is being heavily developed. SWBC is excited to be supporting Paardevlei to build one or more hides at the vlei in the future.