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Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Gauteng  >  South Africa

This small nature reserve in Pretoria is a great spot to get out into nature without having to leave the city.

Added* by Chenay Simms
Most recent update 8 вересня 2025

Description

Rietvlei Nature Reserve is on the outskirts of Pretoria as well as being within easy reach of Johannesburg. Though relatively small (only about 4000 hectares) it has a variety of birding habitats, lots of plains game and even some buffalo and cheetah.

This is mainly a grassland reserve set around a dam. A couple of small koppies add additional wooded areas, resulting a a surprisingly varied bird list. There are a couple of bird hides set around the reserve as well as picnic sites and even a small restaurant. Activities such as night drives can also be booked with the reserve. Spend an hour or two here or even make a day of it.

Details

Access

Rietvlei Nature Reserve is in southern Pretoria, located between the R21 highway (OR Tambo Airport highway) on the west and the R50 road (Delmas–Bapsfontein) on the north-east. Press P on the map for directions to the main entrance gate (1). Even though this reserve is on the outskirts of Pretoria it is a bit off the main route so public transport options are limited. The reserve caters mainly to self drive visitors but some guided activities can be booked and there are some hiking trails that can be done (Contact details: Email rietvlein@tshwane.gov.za).

The reserve is access controlled and there is an entrance that needs to be paid (about 5 euro/dollar). The gate opens at 06:00 and closes at 18:00.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Grassland , Scattered trees and bushes , Lake

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Summer , Winter

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Car , Bicycle , Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

Winter birding can be surprisingly rewarding here as many of the plants, such as aloes, are in flower, the grasses are seeding and the vegetation is more open.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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