LEISURE ACTIVITIES
in and around Kempton Park

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort
    Against the backdrop of the magnificent Witpoortjie waterfall, this Garden (previously called the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden) covers almost 300 hectares and consists of both landscaped and natural veld areas.
    A breeding pair of majestic Verreaux's Eagles nest on the cliffs alongside the waterfall. Together with the other 220 bird species, there are also a number of reptile and small mammals, including small antelope and jackal, which occur naturally in the Nature Reserve.
    Several short walks run through the Garden and the surrounding natural areas. The JCI Geological Trail gives visitors the opportunity to not only walk along the Roodekrans Ridge and in the Nature Reserve portion of the Garden, but also to learn something about the fascinating geology of the area. Guided tours can be arranged for groups.
    Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort  Tel: +27 11 958 1750   Fax: +27 11 958 1752   Official Website 

Pretoria National Botanical Garden
2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria, Pretoria   Tel/Fax: + 27 12 804 3166
    This Garden is situated 8 km from the centre of Pretoria and accommodates both subtropical and temperate plants, giving the visitor a glimpse of the beautiful and varied flora of the subcontinent. This Garden is also home to the National Herbarium, Mary Gunn Library and Bookshop, all housed in the "Building on the Hill." . Near the main entrance is the Visitors 'Centre and Mackaya Bella Gift Shop.
    The Garden is 76 ha in size, with 50 ha under intensive cultivation using exclusively South African plants. The cultivated area includes a cycad garden, succulent garden, aloe plantings and other striking collections. The natural vegetation of the area consists of grassland and savanna with dense bush. Over 600 species of flowering plants including half the country's tree species, many species of birds, as well as a number of reptiles and small mammals occur here naturally. Paved nature trails give access to the fascinating natural vegetation of the rocky ridge above the Garden.    Official Website 

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Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
    Brick-paved pathways wind their way discreetly between stands of indigenous and exotic plants and trees within these lovely gardens set on the western shores of the Emmarentia Dam.
    The gardens were established in 1968 and are home to over 30 000 trees, among them a fascinating array of exotics such as cork oaks, English oaks, Californian redwoods and silver birches. A huge, formal rose garden features some 4 500 of these scented treasures, and a herb garden includes samples of ancient medicinal herbs used by early travellers and traditional healers (sangomas). The succulents section, which may be visited by appointment only features more than 2500 species.
    Indigenous vegetation includes reedbeds, Highveld grasses and an Erythrina zeyheri, known as the ploegbreker (plough breaker), because of its extensive root system. A prehistoric garden, with a collection of cycads and tree fems, is currently being plarmed.
    Gardening demonstrations are held regularly and visitors may picnic on the manicured lawns. A number of ponds within the garden attractbreeding waterfowl, and birding enthusiasts can expect to see - among others - moorhen, dabchick, crested grebe and Egyptian goose.
    The gardens are open every day.    Website 

Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Heidelberg
    Situated close to Johannesburg, one of South Africa's most densely populated areas, the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve plays an important role in outdoor recreation, environmental education and resource management. The reserve supports a large variety of plant and animal species. Vegetation types range from open grassland on hillsides and plains to wooded gorges and acacia woodland, marshland and fynbos (heath). The reserve was named after the sugarbush (suikerbos), which is spread throughout the reserve. The fast disappearing bankenveld grassland also occurs here, making this one of the Highveld's most valuable reserves. Mammal species include mountain reedbuck, common duiker and steenbok, grey duiker, baboon, oribi, eland, blesbok, springbok, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, kudu and zebra. Predators roaming this vast sanctuary are cheetah, brown hyena and other smaller species. Over 200 bird species can also be observed here.

Lesedi Cultural Village
    Lesedi is a multicultural village set amongst the pristine bushveld and rocky hills less than an hour’s drive north of Johannesburg.
    Situated at Lesedi are four traditional homesteads – The Zulus with their fighting sticks and cozy beehive huts, The Xhosa with their perfectly thatched rondawels and distinctive white blankets, the rhythmic drums and whistles of The Pedi tribe and the conical straw hats and thick, colored blankets of The Basotho.
    Families peacefully living their traditional lives inhabit each homestead at Lesedi. Additional huts for each village have been constructed in each homestead offering the unique opportunity of staying with a traditional rural African family – however, all home comforts have been catered for including cozy beds and beautiful bathrooms with showers, hot and cold running water and flushing toilets.
    On arrival at Lesedi in the late afternoon, the guests are welcomed and taken to their homestead where they will be staying. The head of the home then becomes their personal escort for the rest of their stay. Once settled in their comfortable guests huts they will then get to know the many colorful and fascinating aspects of the cultures of the people of Lesedi.
    How to get there: From Johannesburg take the M1 north and then turn west onto the N1 at the Woodmead interchange. At the Lanseria off-ramp, take the R512 north and proceed for 50 kms along the R512, Lesedi is clearly marked on the left-hand side of the road.   Website 

Rietvlei Nature Reserve
    One of the world`s largest urban nature reserves, 3 800 hectares in extent, situated south of the city but still within the city limits, Rietvlei lies very close to the highway between Pretoria and Johannesburg International Airport at a height of about 1700 m above sea level, which is about 300 m higher than Pretoria.
    Rietvlei owes its existence to Pretoria`s need for drinking water. By the 1920s the city`s supply from Fountains Valley was no longer meeting the demand and the City Council was forced to look for other sources of water. The Rietvlei Dam was built on the Hennops River (Sesmylspruit) and a large part of the catchment area of the dam with a number of strong natural springs to protect the water asset. Rietvlei still supplies a significant part of Pretoria`s water needs to the city.
    There were always some small mammals on the farm Rietvlei, but starting with a small herd of Blesbok that was herded from the nearby farm of former Prime Minister of South Africa, Jan Smuts, the reserve has been restocked with game that is endemic to the highveld. Rietvlei is now the home to large herds of game and because of its open grassland landscape it offers visitors an unique opportunity to view many species of animals. Some of these occur naturally only in South Africa (for example the Black Wildebeest (±150) and the Blesbok (±540)). Other animals found here include the world`s largest antelope, the Eland (±170), Burchell=s Zebra (±270), Red Hartebeest (±95), Springbok (±60), Waterbuck (±65), Reedbuck (±35), Ostrich (±55), two of Africas "big five" Buffalo (25) and White Rhino (7), Bushpig (5), as well as a number of Black-backed Jackal, Mountain Reedbuck, Oribi, Grey Duiker, Steenbuck, Brown Hyena, Porcupine, Springhare, Aardwolf and Banded Mongoose. Recently a family group of five hippos as well as cheeta were introduced to Rietvlei.
    Rietvlei also offers lots to interest bird lovers. South Africa`s national bird, the Blue Crane is seen here from time to time, the Secretary Bird is a regular visitor and Rietvlei is home to a breeding pair of Fish Eagles. In addition many other species of birds can be seen including the Orange-throated Longclaw, the Little Egret, the Darter, the Reed Cormorant, the White-breasted Cormorant, the Goliath Heron, the African Finfoot and the Green-backed Heron.
    The reserve is open to the private vehicles and offers superb sightings of the wild life of the South African highveld. There is a bird hide and an area set aside for picnicking at Marais Dam upstream from Rietvlei Dam and there are day and overnight hiking trails as well as horse trails (all accompanied by reserve staff). There is also a fishing area/camping site along part of the banks of Rietvlei Dam. Among of the most popular activities at the reserve are the self-catering night game drives which can be booked in advance. The reserve has a very attractive lapa which is hired out for functions.
    Drive towards Pretoria on the R21. Turn off the freeway at the Irene / Rietvlei off-ramp, turn right at the stop sign and right again at the next intersection. The access road to Rietvlei is on the left a few hundred metres after crossing the Sesmyl Spruit. Open daily from 8:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 6:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Entrance to the reserve closes at 16:00. An entrance fee is charged. Enquiries at the gate and at (012) 345 2274.

Irene Village Market more info...

Johannesburg Zoo

 

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