Cape Town: The annual City Nature Challenge 2026 is back in town. The challenge will take place over the coming long weekend from Friday, April 24, 2026 to Monday, April 27, 2026. The residents are encouraged to record as many wildlife findings as possible, in the city and to upload their photos to the iNaturalist app over the period.
Participants of the challenge simply need to download the iNaturalist app, get their cameras ready and record their findings. Experts will then help to identify the fauna or flora. Cape Town is competing with various international cities to record the most observations of local plant and animal species.
Deputy Mayor and Member of the Mayoral Committee for Spatial Planning and Environment – Alderman Eddie Andrews stated that it’s that time of the year again where they are asking residents right across Cape Town to capture photos of all the wildlife they can find and to participate in the annual City Nature Challenge!
All they have to do is download the free iNaturalist app and start uploading all the plant, animal or insect findings they come across. If they do not find any live animals on their search, they can even record remnants such as mussel shells or feathers as they are signs of life.
Andrews said that they have arranged free entry at all of the reserves for the challenge and encouraged residents to go out and enjoy the outdoors over the coming long weekend. All contributions of wildlife are welcome, regardless of the location, so whether they explore a conservation area, their local park or their backyard, they must go and see what is out there!
Residents in Cape Town are spoilt for choice with an array of nature reserves and conservation areas right on their doorstep. Guided tours at coastal and inland protected areas across the city can be arranged for interested groups. Here, the participants will have the opportunity to photograph an array of species ranging from reptiles to birds and fynbos to marine life.
Over the years, residents have recorded all kinds of weird and wonderful wildlife in Cape Town during the challenge. A helpful tip for interested residents is to visit the iNaturalist website to get inspired about what is out there to discover, before going out to explore.