Click here to download the Tshwane logo
 07 Sep 2008 Home Page Link Residents Page Link Business Page Link Council Page Link
Quick Links

Accommodation Associations


Things to do in Tshwane


Out and About: Events in Tshwane


Entertainment and recreation


Photo Gallery


Street maps


Travel Information


Travel Security Tips


Tourism Events Photo Albums


Tourism Contact numbers


Tourism Destination Marketing and Central Booking & Information Services


Tshwane Strategic Tourism Development Plan
(Tourism Master Plan)



Tshwane Tourism Awards 2007-8





Tshwane Online Video
Tshwane Online Video

Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary

PLEASE NOTE: The tariffs are amended in the July budget each year and they can be amended at other times without prior notification. The new tariffs are displayed as soon as possible; however, if the tariffs displayed on the web page differ from those at the venues' gates, the gate tariffs apply.

History

The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary is named after the greatest ornithologist-mammal gist yet produced in South Africa, J Austin Roberts. He was born in 1883 in Pretoria and grew up in Potchefstroom as a minister's son. He received his initial grounding from a famous pioneer amateur ornithologist based there named Thomas Ayres. Self-taught, he was honoured for his many achievements with an honorary doctorate by the University of Pretoria. These included the standard South African reference books on both mammals and birds, a remarkable accomplishment.

Austin Roberts was killed in a motor car accident on the 5th of May 1948 in the former Transkei. The sanctuary named in his honour as one of Pretoria's greatest sons, was officially proclaimed as a nature reserve on 26 February 1985. In his time, he probably contributed more to the study of birds and mammals in South Africa than any single person before or since.

The 11.8 ha site was officially opened by Mr. WJ Seymore, then Mayor of Pretoria on the 27th of October 1956. This was the culmination of a group of people's efforts to establish the sanctuary. Included in this group was Mr. H Bruins-Lich (then the city's Director of Parks), Dr. Gertrude Theiler (daughter of Onderstepoort's founder), Dr. LEW Codd (former Director of the National Botanical Gardens) and Mr. K Hyslop (first Chairman of the Pretoria Bird Club).

The sanctuary is contained within the Walkerspruit Open Space System. Two streams, the Walker and the Argo, feed water into wetland basins of which nine are small perennial dams and these attract a multitude of water bird species.

Under their supervision the area was fenced in June 1970 and the sanctuary became a valuable civic amenity with its recreational and educational value, a great attraction to Pretoria's citizens and visitors.

Activities and Facilities

The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary has a wide variety of birdlife that can be observed from the bird hide. We also provide guided walks as well as an exhibition hall.

Wildlife

Species include unique bird species like the Crowned and Blue Crane.

Vegetation

The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary is situated in mixed bushveld veld type.

Visiting Hours

Summer ( September - April): 07:00 - 18:00
Winter ( May - August): 07:00 - 17:00

How to get there?

From the Fountains circle (on the R21) take the George Storrar turn-off. Travel east over Koningin Wilhemina where it change to Middel street . Turn left at the first robot, Dey street, and then left again at Boshoff street. The entrance to the sanctuary is on the right hand corner, Boshoff and Roper.

Entrance Fees

Bird hide: Free
Guided walks: Adults R 34,20 (19 years and older)
Children R 22,80 (18 years and younger)
Guide R114 (min of 6, max of 15 people per guide)

Bookings and Contact Numbers

Reservations: Tel: 012 440 8316
012 341 0591
Fax: 012 341 0483
Email: audreyb@tshwane.gov.za
Bookings are only necessary for the guided walks - preferably 4 weeks in advance
Enquiries: Tel: 012 440 8316 / 012 341 0591
Fax: 012 341 0483
Email: davidb@tshwane.gov.za
Groenkloof Nature Reserve
PO Box 1454, Pretoria, 0001

Home | Previous page | Contact us | Disclaimer | | Multilingualism