HomeExplore TshwaneNature ConservationRietvlei Nature Reserve
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Rietvlei Nature Reserve | Coordinates: S25 52 973 E028 15 789 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Rietvlei Nature Reserve belongs to the City of Tshwane and came into existence as a water scheme to supply drinking water to Tshwane. Rietvlei Nature Reserve is, therefore, a fairly big nature reserve in an urban setting and covers about 4 000 ha. It has been a conservation area since 1929. The Rietvlei eco system is stated as critically endangered. Rietvlei Nature Reserve protects water systems, an endangered vegetation type and endangered plants, animals and birds. Rietvlei Nature Reserve consists of mainly grassland and wetlands. The large animals that occur in this reserve are eland, buffalo, white rhino, red hartebeest, Burchell’s zebra, black wildebeest, blesbok, cheetah, waterbuck, hippo, ostrich and jackal. Nocturnal animals in the reserve are hedgehog, aardvark, serval, bushpig, aardwolf and brown hyena. Many reptile species also occur in Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Visiting hours
RULES AND REGULATIONS
ONLY CARD PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED. No cash will be accepted. Entering Rietvlei Nature Reserve is done at own risk.
1. The speed limit is 30 km/hour. No speeding is allowed. Animals always have right of way. 2. Main gate times: 1 October to 31 March: 05:30 to 19:00. Entry to the reserve is allowed until 17:00. 1 April to 30 September: 06:00 to 18:00. Entry to the reserve is allowed until 16:00. The fine when you exit the reserve after the prescribed times is R438. 3. No alcohol is allowed. 4. Picnic area closing times: 1 October to 31 March: 18:00 1 April to 30 September: 17:00 5. No flying of drones is allowed. 6. No fishing or swimming is allowed. 7. No littering is allowed. 8. No firearms or any type of hunting are allowed. 9. No loud music is allowed. 10. You may not leave your vehicle or break the silhouette of the vehicle during game viewing or when taking a photo inside the reserve. You may only leave your vehicle at designated areas, such as hides, toilet facilities and at the coffee shop. 11. You are not allowed to remove wild plants and animals from the reserve. You may not feed any animals. 12. No pets are allowed. 13. You are allowed to drive on the tar roads and gravel roads without “no entry” signs. Do not drive on other paths or roads with “no entry” signs. 14. You are not allowed to drive off into the veld when viewing animals and taking photos. 15. The City of Tshwane reserves the right to search any vehicle without furnishing any reasons and without a warrant. 16. A maximum of 100 vehicles will be allowed to enter the reserve at a time. 17. Passengers can only travel on the back of bakkies inside closed canopies. 18. Vehicles must have a valid licence and the driver of this vehicle must have a valid driving licence. Note: Failure to comply with these rules may result in a fine or banned access to the reserve in future.
How to approach a game sighting
Activities and facilities
Hiking
Game viewing Game drives with the reserve’s vehicles (day and night drives)
Self-drives About 30 km of self-drive roads are available to view animals. Birdwatching
Environmental education
Picnic area Marais Dam
Rietvlei Coffee Shop
Lapas Big lapa
Small lapa (Tshukudu)
Lecture hall
Friends of Rietvlei Nature Reserve For more information regarding the Friends of Rietvlei Nature Reserve, please email Rietvlei@mailbox.co.za. Bookings and contact details All bookings and enquiries for activities and venues must be made in advance, but there is no need to make a booking or prearrange for normal day visits to the reserve. For more information, please use the following contact details:
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