Pretoria - Rietvlei Nature Reserve is the jewel in the crown of the City of Tshwane’s reserves and resorts. Here, within easy reach of the city’s eastern residential areas, is 3 800 hectares of open Bankenveld grassland which is home to more than 1 600 head of game, birds and rare indigenous plants.
City residents can access the reserve in their own vehicles, and there are tours and walking and other trails. Rietvlei has 60km of road network and from your car you are sure to see a variety of antelope – including eland, waterbuck, reedbuck, springbuck, mountain reedbuck, steenbuck and grey duiker – as well as black wildebeest, red hartebeest, Burchell’s zebra and hippo.
There are also brown hyena, black-backed jackal, ant-bear, aardwolf, porcupine, springhare and bush pig.
But the real pride of the reserve is that it has cheetah, leopard, buffalo and white rhino and, in a separate enclosured lion (do note, there is an additional entrance charge required).
As many as 272 species of birds and 530 species of plants have been identified at Rietvlei.
The Rietvlei dam – built during the Depression with the wall constructed entirely by hand – was established to supply Pretoria with drinking water and still provides 15 percent of the city’s water. It is fed from the Sesmyl-spruit as well as fountains and boreholes, and is a popular recreation facility for angling and boating.
Because of the importance of the water quality and reserve, there are strict restrictions on the use of the dam and, for example, no motor boats are allowed.
Asked to describe recent improvements to the resort, city spokesman Selby Bokaba highlighted keeping the reserve in pristine condition, its lapas and chalets and other facilities such as a restaurant for the enjoyment of the public, and new “green” ablution facilities in the angling and camping area.
“These ablution buildings (which cost R3.5-million) are designed and built to keep our carbon footprint to a minimum. Primarily, we rely on using renewable energy resources for power and heating, rain water harvesting for the flushing of the toilets as well as managing waste water in an environmentally friendly manner,”said Bokaba.
Projects this year include improving security and access control. The gates are guarded and the reserve has the support of the metro and SAPS. There are armed rangers on patrol although Bokaba understandably does not want to elaborate, save to say that protecting visitors, staff and animals (especially rhino) is a priority.
Visitors to the reserve can choose from a number of options. Popular is self-drive and you can get out of your vehicle at various spots, including the Marais Dam. Here ablutions are available, there’s a bird hide and shady spots for a braai or picnic.
There are guided hiking, biking and horse trails, with day and overnight options, as well as educational programmes presented by qualified guides. Daily bus tours are available for big groups.
For more, 012 345 2274 or 012 358 1811/12 or go to ww.tshwane.gov.za (and search under reserves).
A wide array of wildlife right here
If you think winter is all about simply staying indoors and huddling under blankets while watching DVDs and keeping the heaters turned up at full blast, it’s time to get a little wild.
Grab the whole family, pack a picnic basket and cameras and get down to Rietvlei Nature Reserve.
My father and I took a Sunday afternoon drive through the expansive reserve, with him behind the wheel and me aiming my Canon at everything that rustled through the long, dry winter grass, to find a wide array of wildlife literally on our doorstep.
From ostrich, blesbok and springbok to wildebeest, zebra and even rhino, the drive had us craning our necks to spot the next animal.
Our lucky find of the day was right next to the coffee shop, where we first spotted two adult rhino sauntering across the road and then just on the other side of the shop, a rhino and her calf grazed while scores of vehicles pulled up to snap away. Junior was unconcerned by all the attention and did a floppy-eared, bumbling run towards his mother and then wandered off into the long grass.
The best times to go are either early morning or late afternoon as most animals will disappear into the shade during the heat of the day. Make sure you pack some sunscreen and water as you will likely spend more than two hours in your car. Make a game of getting the kids to spot the next animal.
Pack a picnic and stop off at the coffee shop area where there are braai facilities available. Alternatively, book a guided tour into the lion enclosure by calling 082 500 4422.
Pretoria News