Groenkloof Nature Reserve

For this week's travel, we visited the oldest Nature Reserve on the African Continent. Right in the middle of Pretoria!

Situated just 5 kilometers out of Pretoria City centre, Groenkloof Nature Reserve was the first Game Sanctuary on the African Continent. President Paul Kruger proclaimed the valley as such in 1895 to protect the large herds of animals outside the town from hunters. The sanctuary also served as protection for the Oribi that lived in the area.

We went to this reserve on a Friday morning and the place was very quiet, but over weekends it teems with people temporarily escaping the bustle of city life. Entrance was R15 per person which we thought reasonable. This was later replaced by indignation when we were asked to pay another R15 per person at a secondary gate to enter the nature reserve.

"Seeing the blue wildebeest against the backdrop of Unisa's buildings makes for quite a surreal experience."

Turns out, you pay R15 to enter the Fountains Valley Resort and another R15 to enter the actual reserve.

According to the information leaflet, the reserve houses zebra, jackal, duiker, kudu, impala, blue wildebeest, blesbuck, red hartebeest, ostrich, giraffe and sable.

Personally, I have only seen duiker and a blue wildebeest. Seeing the blue wildebeest against the backdrop of Unisa's buildings makes for quite a surreal experience.

Upon entering the Fountains Valley premises, you immediately run into a playground for kids and a pub for Dad. They have plenty of picnic spots with braai facilities. If you like your privacy, there are enough of these little spots hidden away in their own little groves so that you don't have to mix with other people if you don't want to.

Yes, I know. I am a bit of an antisocial bastard sometimes.

The reserve has various hiking trails, a mountain bike trail, car route and a 4x4 route. A youth camp as well as overnight facilities are also available.

Is it worth it to visit this place?

I think so. Just be aware that it is extremely busy and crowded over weekends and public holidays, so if that is not your thing, rather take a day of work and go on a Friday.

The other little niggle I have is that these crowds tend to imbibe a bit too much and can spoil it for you if you are looking for a quiet getaway.

Other than this, if you can find one of those little hidden picnic spots, this is a very tranquil place to have a braai or simply a picnic under some beautiful trees next to the Apies river.

Here are some more pics from the day:

 

How to get there: The Nature Reserve is reached via the entrance to the Fountains Valley Resort. Follow the R21 to the Fountains Circle; take the Fountains/Centurion turn-off into Christina de Wit Road. Approximately 500 m further, turn left at the entrance to the Fountains Valley Resort. Weekends and public holidays use the alternative entrance gate 800m from the Fountains Valley main entrance gate.

Tariffs:

Persons 19 years and older: R15
Children 7 - 18 years : R10
Pre-school children: R3
Pensioners or disabled persons : R10
Monthly Tickets are also available.

For more information visit: http://www.tshwane.gov.za/groenkloof.cfm or http://www.footprint.co.za/groenkloof.htm or Call: +27 12 345 2274 / 5103 / 4