Groenkloof Nature Reserve
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Coordinates 'S25 47 379 E028 11 764 |
Groenkloof Nature Reserve is located near the famous Fountains Valley. This valley on the southern outskirts of Pretoria was proclaimed a game sanctuary by President Paul Kruger on 25 February 1895, the first in Africa. Its main purpose was to protect the shy and timid oribi, which occurred there, and other game that were being wiped out by hunters.
After 1910, portions of the area were rented out for the establishment of commercial plantations for the delivery of wood and the production of paper, both of which were in short supply during the world wars. By the late 1950s, the City Council of Pretoria became the owner of the area.
In 1994, the reserve became the responsibility of the Department of Nature Conservation and preparations started for the re-release of game. Impala, kudu, blue wildebeest and ostrich were eventually re-introduced to the reserve in 1999, and 2002 saw the release of giraffe and red hartebeest.
Currently, big clean-up operations are being run to restore the original woody bush of the area.
Vegetation
Groenkloof Nature Reserve features low, broken ridges varying in steepness. The vegetation is semi pen thicket, dominated by a variety of woody species including Acacia caffra, Rhus leptodictya, Combretum molle and Dombeya rotundifolia. The under-storey is dominated by a variety of grasses.
Wildlife: The wildlife on the reserve includes zebra, jackal, duiker, kudu, impala, blue wildebeest, blesbuck, red hartebeest, ostrich, giraffe and sable. The rich bird life will keep bird lovers busy for hours on end.
What to do
Groenkloof Nature Reserve offers a large variety of activities for nature lovers just 5 km from the city centre.
| Hiking trails: |
|---|
| 4,0 km hike (white trail) |
| 3,5 km hike (red trail) |
10,5 km hike (yellow trail)
|
| Horse trails: |
Day trail: guided, minimum 4, maximum 6 horses |
| Weekend trail: |
Maximum four hours per day |
| Night drives: |
± two-hour drive, including use of the lapa |
| Mountain bike trail: |
± 20 km route. Helmets are compulsory. No helmet, no ride |
| Motorcar route: |
± 5 km (interpretation route) |
| 4x4 route: |
± 14 km (interpretation route) |
| Picnic area: |
Exclusively for relaxing after one of the trails (bring your own firewood) |
Facilities
Overnight facilities are available for hiking, 4x4 driving and mountain biking. The Bamber Youth Camp accommodates youth groups of up to 60 people.
On the premises you can also find the Moyo restaurant.
How to get there
Groenkloof 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 Avenue. About 500 m further, turn left at the entrance to the Fountains Valley Resort. Over weekends and on public holidays visitors use the alternative entrance gate 800 m from the Fountains Valley Resort main entrance gate.
Entrance fees: |
|---|
| Activity |
Price (R) |
|
|
| Motor car route – 5 km |
75,00 |
| 4x4 route – 14 km |
75,00 |
| |
|
|---|
| Adults (18 years and older) per person |
25,00 |
| School children (7 to 17 years) per child |
18,50 |
| Pre school children ( 0 to 6 years ) per child |
10,00 |
| Pensioners ( 60 years and older) per person |
18,50 |
| Recovery of 4 x 4 vehicles on route |
370,00 |
Day hiking and mountain biking trails |
|---|
| Adults (18 years and older) per person |
25,00 |
| School children (7 to 17 years) per child |
18,50 |
| Preschool children ( 0 to 6 years ) per child |
10,00 |
| Pensioners ( 60 years and older) per person |
18,50 |
Monthly Tickets |
|---|
| Adults (18 years and older) per person |
160,00 |
| School children (7 to 17 years) per child |
110,00 |
| Preschool children ( 0 to 6 years ) per child |
35,00 |
| Pensioners ( 60 years and older) per person |
110,00 |
Annual tickets |
|---|
| Per person |
600,00 |
Overnight hiking trail, mountain bike trail and 4 x 4 trails(max 12 persons, self-catering) |
|---|
| Per person per night |
50,00 |
| Refundable damage deposit for hut |
500,00 |
| Day hiking trails per guide extra |
135,00 |
Environmental education |
|---|
| Children of school going age |
25,00 |
| Adult accompanying groups, per adult |
50,00 |
| Day group per person |
25,00 |
| Overnight per person |
65,00 |
Bamber Group Camp |
|---|
| Per person/child |
45,00 |
| Adult accompanying groups, per adult |
50,00 |
| Per guide |
135,00 |
| Refundable damage deposit |
690,00 |
| Guided day hike (four hours - including guide) |
45,00 |
| Day drive with tractor and trailer through Groenkloof Nature Reserve ± two hours |
| Per child |
28,00 |
Horse trails (guided ) |
|---|
| Day trails: two hours trail with guide 4 to 8 persons |
90,00 |
| Day trail per hour |
60,00 |
| City light/moon light trails: 3 hours include guide 4 - 8 persons |
150,00 |
| Overnight trails: per person per night max four hours per day trail |
200,00 |
| Pony rides for children ( 10 Minutes) |
20,00 |
Night drives |
|---|
| Per person including use of lapa until 23:00 |
90,00 |
Lapa hiring (during the day) |
|---|
| 1 to 15 people |
550,00 |
| 16 to 30 people |
930,00 |
| 31 - 60 people |
1450,00 |
| Refundable damage deposit |
500,00 |
Bookings and contact numbers:
Bookings (four weeks in advance) are only necessary for the overnight facilities and if a guide is required for a hiking trail.
Call 012 440 8316 or 012 341 5204
Fax: 012 341 0483
Email: davidb@tshwane.gov.za (management)
groenkloofnaturereserve@tshwane.gov.za (bookings)
Address: Groenkloof Nature Reserve
PO Box 1454
Pretoria
0001
Visiting hours
- Summer (September to April): 05:30 to 19:00
- Winter (May to August): 07:00 to 18:00