Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Understand[edit]Rietvlei (Reed marsh) has a size of 38 square kilometers and covered by 91km of roads. 40 km of these roads are open to the public (30km tarred and 10km dirt road) for self drive game viewing. The Rietvlei and Marais dams are located inside the reserve. The reserve consist of three main areas:
The only boats allowed on the dams are those operated from the Yacht Club. Powerboats are totally forbidden as the noise disturbs the wildlife. The reserve is generally not very busy. You will often have a bird hide all to yourself and there is seldom anyone else around to make noise and scare away the wildlife. Summer is excellent for bird watching as many of the migrating species will also be found in the reserve, but the long lush grass may obscure some of the other wildlife. Rhino may be especially difficult to spot. Some antelope species will still be easily visible due to their size and the fact that they graze along the hill sides. The Rietvlei dam supplied about 5% of Tshwane's water supply. Volunteers[edit]To be involved with a team of volunteers involved in many exciting tasks at Gauteng’s Rietvlei Nature Reserve, visit the web site of the Friends of Rietvlei: www.friendsofrietvlei.org History[edit]The government bought Rietvlei on 2 Sept 1929 as Rietvallei (Extent 1 ), from DM Munro, in order to build the Rietvlei dam. As part of the Rietvlei water scheme, the Rietvlei dam was built in 1934 on the Six Mile Spruit. The dam wall is an earth structure and was built completely by hand. Donkey carts were used to cart soil onto site and remove any soil and other material that was no longer required. Many horse shoes lost by these working donkeys can still be found in the hill behind the Yacht Club. In 1948 the city of Pretoria, which owns the land, proclaimed the area a nature reserve. Landscape[edit]Mostly open grassland covering low hills with indigenous tree in small groups. Rare for South Africa, it also contains a peat wetland area. An ancient lava stream runs north/south through the park. The dams are fed by the Six Mile Spruit and four fountains on the reserve as well as one from an adjacent property. Flora and fauna[edit]The reserve has 272 bird and 530 plant species. Buffalo, hippopotamus, brown hyena, black back jackel, zebra, ostrich, cheetah, rhinoceros, and a number of antelope species. Lions can be seen with a game drive from the Coffee Shop in as seperatly fenced off area. Antelope include eland, red hartebees, black wildebees, blesbok, springbok, reedbuck, waterbuck, steenbok, duiker and oribi. There are some exotic plant species and invader trees that are slowly being eradicated. Climate[edit]The reserve has a typical Hightveld climate with hot days regularly followed by short and intense afternoon thunderstorms in summer. The thunderstorms are often accompanied by lightning and occasionally result in hail. Summer temperatures range between 16°C at night to 30°C during the day. Winters are mild and dry with temperatures averaging between a minimum of 5°C and a maximum of 20°C. Get in[edit]The reserve is located just off the R21 between Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport. Take exit 12 (M31 Nellmapios Dr., Irene) from the R21, turn towards the east (there is a brown information sign boards indicating the reserve), at the first 4 way stop, turn right and about 2.5km down the road you will find another brown information sign board indicating a left turn towards the reserve entrance. Gates are open for day visitors from 6AM to 5PM in summer (September to March) and 6AM to 4PM in winter. Day visitors are required to leave the reserve by 7PM in summer and 5PM in winter. Fees/Permits[edit]Entrance to the reserve costs R55 per adult, R20 for children (6-16 years)and free for children under 5. The disabled or elderly (over 60) pay R20 entrance fee. Access to the Angling area is also R40 and the reserve can be accessed from the angling area. Get around[edit]The easiest option for day visitors is to self drive. 30km of tarred and 10km of dirt road is provided for this. Speed limit within the reserve is 30km per hour. See[edit][add listing]
Do[edit][add listing]
Buy[edit][add listing]There is a shop in the reserve, the Rietvlei Coffee Shop. There is a Woolworths convenience shop just outside the reserve, located at the Engen service station on the intersection of the M37 and M31. The Irene Village Mall [7] is located at the offramp from the R21, about 4km from the reserve. Eat[edit][add listing]There is the Rietvlei Coffee Shop in the reserve, and there is no restriction on what food you may take in for your own consumption. Do not feed the animals. Drink[edit][add listing]Buy drinks in the reserve at the Coffee Shop. Municipal water on tap at most places where you may exit your vehicle is safe to drink. Alcohol is allowed in the reserve, but anyone found intoxicated will be asked to leave. Sleep[edit][add listing]
Stay safe[edit]There are dangerous animals in the park. Only exit your vehicle at designated areas, such at the picnic spot, bird hides, lapas and camping sites. No swimming is allowed in any of the dams as they are home to hippos and crocodiles. Get in[edit]
Get out[edit]There are a number of other small areas within Gauteng that has not yet been overrun by human expansion and development
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