List of Ramsar sites in South Africa

This list of Ramsar sites in South Africa are wetland environs that are considered to be of international importance, and protected under the Ramsar Convention. As of 2024, South Africa has 30 such sites covering 574 028 hectares.

For a complete list of all Ramsar sites worldwide, see the List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance.

List of Ramsar sites Name Location Description Image Area (km2) Designated Ref. Barberspan DelareyvilleA 5km long and 2.5km wide, permanent, alkaline, freshwater lake, surrounded by grassland. 31.18 12/03/1975 Berg Estuary VelddrifWetland mudflat vegetation in a flood plain that contains 127 waterbird species. 11.63 01/02/2022BlesbokspruitMarievale Bird SanctuaryPermanently inundated section of the Blesbokspruit River. Important for several locally migrant waterbird species and various mammals.18.5802/10/1986Bot - Kleinmond Estuarine SystemKleinmondAn estuarine lake recognised as one of the ten most important wetlands for waterbirds in South Africa; 86 species have been recorded here. It's also a nursery for 41 species of fish.13.5031/01/2017Dassen Island Nature ReserveDassen IslandImportant Bird Area for 10 of the 15 endemic sea birds in Southern Africa; including the critically endangered African penguin and Cape cormorant.7.3729/03/2019De Berg Nature ReserveDullstroomA high-altitude catchment area along the Dwars River that includes diverse and endemic ecosystems types. Classified as a Critical Biodiversity Area for endangered species such as the grey crowned crane, black harrier and southern bald ibis.12.6502/02/2024De Hoop VleiDe Hoop Nature Reserve7.512/03/1975De Mond De Mond Nature Reserve9.1802/10/1986Dyer Island Nature Reserve ComplexDyer Island / Geyser Island2.8829/03/2019False Bay Nature ReserveZeekoevlei15.4202/02/2015Ingula Nature ReserveIngula Pumped Storage Scheme80.8401/03/2021Kgaswane Mountain Reserve49.5229/03/2019Kosi BayMaputaland109.8228/06/1991Lake SibayaMaputaland77.5028/06/1991Langebaan LagoonLangebaan60.0025/04/1988Makuleke WetlandsKruger National ParkFlood plain at confluence of the Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers that consists of riparian woodlands and floodplain grasslands. Important ecosystem for the vulnerable Mozambique tilapia, the critically endangered African longfin eel and white-backed vulture.77.5722/05/2007Middelpunt Nature ReserveDullstroom5.1015/03/2023Natal Drakensberg ParkuKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park2428.1321/01/1997Ndumo Game ReserveMaputaland101.1721/01/1997Ntsikeni Nature Reserve92.0002/02/2010Nylsvley Nature ReserveMookgophong39.7007/07/1998Orange River MouthAlexander Bay20.0028/06/1991Prince Edward Islandssub-Antarctic Indian Ocean375.0022/05/2007Seekoeivlei Nature ReserveMemel47.5421/01/1997St. Lucia SystemiSimangaliso Wetland Park1555.0002/10/1986Turtle Beaches / Coral Reefs of TongalandiSimangaliso Marine Protected Area395.0002/10/1986Verloren Valei Nature ReserveSteenkampsberg, Mpumalanga58.9116/10/2001VerlorenvleiRedelinghuys15.0028/06/1991Wilderness LakesWilderness13.0028/06/1991uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve9.5819/03/2013

List of Ramsar sites in South Africa

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