Rietvlei Dam and Nature Reserve offer a variety of entertainment and sport.

Tariffs quoted are valid from 1 February 2007.

The Nature Reserve

Game may be viewed on a 40km road, of which 30 km is tarred. Toilet and braai facilities are provided along these roads. Visitors can buy firewood at the entrance gate. There are overnight facilities for hikers and visitors booking horse rides over weekends.

Admission times:

Summer: September to March 05:30 - 17:00 (You may remain inside until 19:00 when the gates close).

Winter: April to August 06:00 - 16:00 (You may remain inside until 18:00 when the gates close).

How to get there:

From the R21 take the IRENE RIETVLEI DAM off-ramp. Drive in an easterly diredction, at the first 4-way stop street turn right towards Olifantsfontein and the St Georges Hotel. Drive for 1,5 km, crossing the Sesmylspruit. On the left is a sign indicating RIETVLEI NATURE RESERVE, turn left and follow the road up the hill to the main gate. (Drive past the stone entrance until you get to the offices and entrance gate).

Tariffs:

Game species:

Rhinoceros, buffalo, hippopotamus, cheetahs, eland, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, zebra, ostrich, blesbuck, springbuck, reedbuck, waterbuck, steenbuck, duiker, oribi, black-back jackal, brown hyena, etc.

Other information: 272 species of birds and 530 species of plants have been identified.

Angling

Angling area tel 012 345 3917
Times of admission: 06:00 to 18:00, every day of the week.
Only permit holders may enter. Permits are available at the angling gate itself. Entrance through the angling gate.

Tariffs:

Overnight facilities:

• Self Catering Chalet (maximum 6 persons)

Per night	R 570
Refundable damage deposit	R 570

Toilet and braai facilities available

Fish in the dam are carp, yellowfish, catfish and kurpers.

No canoes, boats or bait boats are allowed on the water. No swimming!

Yacht Club

Only club members are allowed to enter.
Contact the Secretary at 012 345 0621 / 082 488 9900 for more information. Email: psc@sailing.org.za. No other members of the public will be allowed on the water.

Lapa

Booking of the Lapa at Tel: 012 345 2274, at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve is essential. All bookings must be made three weeks in advance.

• Access is from Olifantsfontein Road.
• The lapa can accommodate between 30 and 200 people. (maximum 200)
• Tariffs: R 1 500 per occasion and a refundable damages deposit of R 1 000 must be paid in advance.
• Firewood is supplied. There is a person at the entrance gate and a person at the Lapa as caretaker and guard.. Power points, an icemachine, stove, walk-in refrigerator, cushions and toilet facilities are also available.
• No loud music will be allowed and groups must be out by 24:00. (no exception)
• No entrance into the reserve allowed except by prior arrangement and after paying the normal entrance fees.

Fish Eagle Lapa:

Max 30 people allowed. Booking essential and payment must be made in advance. Entrance gained from the Angling Gate at Rietvlei Nature Reserve.

Tariff: R 600 per occasion and a refundable damages deposit of R 684, 00.

Firewood is supplied. No loud music will be allowed and groups must be out by 24:00.

Bus tours

A group may organize a bus themselves if they wish to do so at normal entrance prices and R 114 for the guide.
Organized environmental youth groups with own bus R 456 (guide included).
Organized environmental youth group children under 6 years with own bus R 5,70 per child.

Hiking

The Reserve offers daily and overnight hiking trails under guidance of a nature conservationist. Please book trails at least 2 weeks in advance. Times are from Friday afternoons to Sunday afternoons. Facilities include two overnight rondavels with beds and mattresses, hot (solar heated) and cold water, limited cooking utensils and firewood. No electricity. The route covers a distance of 21 kms across a 3800 ha terrain supporting some 1500 head of game. There are several historical structures on the route.

Tariffs:

Horse rides

Day rides and overnight rides are available. Day rides last approximately 4 hours and night rides from Friday 17:00 to 14:00 on Sundays. It is possible to book different times in advance. Rides take place under guidance of a Nature Conservationist, and each rider is provided with his own horse, saddle and saddle bags. The route covers a distance of 36kms. Riders must be able to ride and have some experience.

Age restriction: No person under the age of 12
Weight restriction: No person over 120kg

Tariffs:

Night drives

From 18:00 to 22:30 on Mondays to Saturdays (under guidance). The Reserve caters for groups of 10-20 persons. Wood, fire and blankets are supplied. Game is tracked from open cross-country vehicles by spotlights. The winter months are extremely cold and warm clothes are essential. Bring and braai afterwards (own food, drinks and cutlery). (No charge for the use of the Fish Eagle Lapa with night drives)

Tariffs:

Minimum deposit R456; per person R114.

Environment Education Centre

The Reserve has an Environment Education Centre where nature conservationists offer educational programmes to school children and other interest groups.

Day groups (minimum of 10 and maximum of 120 children).
Per child: R 22,80
Adult personnel and parents accompanying group: R 34,20
Deposit: R 228

Further information and bookings:

For further information or bookings please call 012 345 2274 or 012 345 5103.

For relevant visits, organised groups may apply in writing to

Friends of Rietvlei

Meet every month on the third Saturday of the month at 14:00.
Contact Fred du Plooy at tel 012 361 7322.