Groenkloof Nature Reserve

Fountains Valley, Pretoria/Tshwane

The history of the reserve can be traced back a long time, to 1895 in fact, when President Paul Kruger proclaimed the valley as a game sanctuary, the first on the African continent. In 1994 the reserve became the responsibility of the nature conservation and resorts section of the City Of Tshwane Municipality. In 1999 game was reintroduced into the reserve. This included Impala, Kudu, Blue Wildebeest and Ostrich. These were added to in 2002 by the introduction of Giraffe and Red Hartebeest. Sable antelope were reintroduced in 2003.

The reserve caters for a number of sporting and recreational pursuits including Hiking, Mountain Biking, a Motorcar interpretive route and a 4 x 4 route.

The reserve also has a youth camp that can accommodate 30-50 children.

	The reserve is situated 5km from the city centre. It has a network of three hiking trails, 4km (white route), 3,5km (red route), 10,5km (yellow route). A 20km mountain bike route is available (helmets are compulsory) and also there is a 14km 4x4 route and a 6km auto interpretive route. A beautiful parking and braai area is provided under tall trees. Provide your own wood and charcoal.

			The hiking trails traverse mountain slopes and grassy plains. They are well maintained and marked. Giraffe and Zebra are often seen along with a wide variety of bird species.

	Overnight accommodation is available for hikers,4x4 and mountain bikers. This sleeps 12 people and has ablution and undercover braai facilities. Bookings are essential, well in advance for the overnight facilities. Guides are also available for the trails but these also need to be booked well in advance. Open times:  Summer (Sept-April) 05.30-19.00 Winter (may- Aug) 07.00-18.00

Conclusion

Certainly worth a visit, especially for a family outing for the day. It is a very popular venue for mountain bikers and the area is ideal for these as a network of sand roads crisscross the reserve. There is a lot of invader species such as Lantana and Black Wattle present but this is being worked on by the authorities.

Bookings and contact numbers

Bookings are only necessary for the overnight facilities

Telephone +27 (0) 12 440 8316/ +27 (0) 12 341 0591

Fax +27 (0) 12 341 0483

e-mail davidb@tshwane.gov.za (management)

audreyb@tshwane.gov.za (bookings)

Address: Groenkloof Nature Reserve, PO Box 1454 Pretoria 0001

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