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| Rietvlei Nature Reserve | |
| surface | 3800 ha ~ 1357m high |
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other value for area on Wikidata: 38   | |
| website | Rietvlei Nature Reserve |
| no website on Wikidata: | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | |
| location | |
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Rietvlei Nature Reserve is a small nature reserve in Africa by African standards Tshwane.
background
The term "Vlei" indicates a salt and clay pan, which is well suited for water storage. The site was bought by the administration in 1929 to create a water reservoir. In 1934 the reservoir was built with the help of an earth structure that was created without machines. Donkeys, the iron fittings of which can still be found on the hill behind the Yacht Club, were used to carry the earth's material. In 1948 the city declared Pretoria the surrounding landscape to the reserve. It is a mostly open, hilly grassland with small clusters of native trees. A bog rarely found in South Africa is also part of the park.
The lake is fed by a body of water whose name varies from "Sesmylspruit", "Six Mile Spruit", "Six Miles" to "Six Miles Spruit". There are four springs in the reserve and one can be found outside the nature reserve. The resulting lake supplies the city to the north Tshwane with some drinking water (but only about 3%). An ancient lava flow runs from north to south.
Flora and fauna
Birds can be observed very well in this landscape, especially in summer. There are said to be 272 species of birds and 530 species of plants. Hippos are difficult to spot, especially because of the long grass. And a few years ago, expert rangers had their horns removed from the rhinos in order to avoid poachers from doing it. Different species of antelope, such as white-tailed wildebeest, eland, blesbok, springbok, reedbuck, waterbuck, ibex, crown duiker and white-ruck graze on the hills. Attempts have been made to resettle cheetahs in order to maintain the ecological balance. There are also said to be hyenas, buffalo, black-backed jackals, zebras, and lions are in a specially fenced area.
- Autochthonous species (native)
- Common hook thorn Acacia caffra
- Sweet thorn Acacia karroo
- SagewoodBuddleja salviifolia
- White stinkwoodCeltis africana
- River bushwillowCombretum erythrophyllum
- Highveld cabbage tree Cussonia paniculata
- Color kitten bush Dichrostachys cinerea
- Bushveld bluebush Diospyros lycioides
- Puzzle bush Ehretia rigida
- Blue guarri Euclea crispa
- Gymnosporia buxifolia Gymnosporia buxifolia
- Honeyscented protea Protea welwitschii
- Dogwood Rhamnus prinoides
- Nana-berry Rhus dentata
- Rhus discolor Rhus discolor
- Karee Rhus lancea
- Rock currant Rhus magalismontana
- Common wild currant Rhus pyroides
- Blue currant Rhus zeyheri
- Buffalo Horn Ziziphus mucronata
- Allochthonous species (exotic species)
- Green wattle Acacia decurrens
- Black wattle Acacia mearnsii
- Red river gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis
- Bluegum Eucalyptus
- Privet Ligustrum
- Mulberry More
- Ink berry Phytolacca octandra
- Platanus Platanus
- White poplar Populus alba
- Oak Quercus
- Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia
- Weeping willow Salix babylonica
climate
Typical for a plateau of this type are hot days in summer, which regularly end in the afternoon with a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon for lightning and hailstorms. Temperatures in summer range between 16 ° C at night and 30 ° C during the day. The winters are mild and dry. The temperatures are between 5 ° C and 20 ° C.
getting there
The nature reserve is off the beaten track R21 between Pretoria and the Johannesburg Airport O.R. Tambo. Take that 
12 (M31 Nellmapios Dr., Irene) the R21, drive east (there is a brown sign indicating the reserve), at the first crossroads turn right and after about 2.5km you will find another brown sign. It goes left to the entrance of the area.
The gates are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer and from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. in winter.
The O. R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) is located around 50 km south of the city of Pretoria. The small airports in the suburbs of Lanseria and Wonderboom are only of regional importance.
Fees / permits
Entrance fees are taken as well as deposits.
mobility
As a day tourist, it is best to drive through the park yourself at the wheel. There are 30 km of paved roads and 10 km of unpaved roads for this purpose. Please only drive at a maximum of 30km / hour!
Tourist Attractions
- Wildlife
- A stone wall that was built by the British during the 2nd Boer War.
- An old homestead from 1900.
activities
A deposit is required for the use of the facilities.
- fishing. Tel.: 27 12 358-1811. Sea wolf, tilapia, carp, yellow fish.Price: A onceoff R40 permit is required.
- watching birds. There are four shelters where you can watch birds. The hut in the picnic area is showing its age and in need of repair. There serious ornithologists can get annoyed by the jumping children. A shelter on the Vleiroute used by the Friends of Rietvleiis in very good condition and offers a good view of the vlei. The hiding place on the main road offers a beautiful view of the entire Rietvlei lake, but there are usually many visitors there.
- picnic. The picnic area by Lake Marais can provide clean toilets with barbecue equipment and running water. If you want to relax here, you should bring a blanket and provisions.
- Pretoria Sailing Club. Tel.: 27 12 345-3576, 27 76 901-2690, Email: [email protected]. Whoever wants to sail can become a temporary club member. There are catboats (lasers) for rent.
- day trip. Tel.: 27 12 345-2274. 4 hour guided tour. 10 to 15 people.Price: R50 per person, R250 minimum deposit.
- Overnight and hike. Tel.: 27 12 345-2274. Groups of 6 to 8 people. Guided hike of 21 km through the reserve. You will spend the night in two round huts with beds, hot and cold water, cooking utensils and firewood. There is no electricity.Open: From Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.Price: R150 per person, R300 minimum deposit.
- Day ride. Tel.: 27 12 345-2274. Groups of 6 to 10 people. Horse with saddle and guide are part of it.Price: R120 per person, minimum R320 deposit.
- Riding excursion with overnight stay. Tel.: 27 12 345-2274. Groups of 6 to 8 people. Riders should have riding experience. The route is 36km. Two simple ones rondavels (Huts) with beds, mattresses, cold and warm water, kitchen utensils and firewood are included. There is no electricity.Open: from 5pm on Friday to 12pm on Sunday.Price: R265 per person priceextra = minimum R795 deposit.
- Safari trip at night. During a 2-hour stay, wild animals are observed with special light spots. At the Fish Eagel Lapa you can then sit by the fire and grill and enjoy the meat, salads and drinks you brought with you. You advertise with: blankets in winter , bring and braai .Open: 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., Monday to Saturday.Price: R135 per person, deposit R500. The "Fish Eagle Lapa" (hut) can be used.
- Private feast at Fish Eagle Lapa. Up to 30 people. Wood is provided. Loud music is not allowed. The place must be cleared by midnight.Open: from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.Price: Cost: R600 plus a deposit of R750.
- Big party. 200 people maximum. Wood, electricity, ice machines, stove, walk-in refrigerator and cushions are supplied.Open: 6AM to 12AM.Price: Cost: R2200, Deposit: R2200. You have to book 3 weeks in advance.
Volunteers
If you live locally, you can get the
- Organization Friends of the Frietvlei connect and preserve the small piece of "original Africa" with a team of volunteer helpers.
shop
- Inside the park there is the Rietvlei Coffee Shop.
- Outside the park there is a "Woolworths convenience shop" near the intersection M37 other M31.
- Irene Village Mall (is located at a junction of the R21 about 4km from the entrance of the Rietvlei Reserve). The shopping center is named after the city of Irene, which is now called Centurion.
accommodation
- Chalets. Tel.: 27 12 358-1819. Check-in: Between 6AM and 6PM.Price: R750 per chalet (maximum 6 people).
Further accommodations can be found here:Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Practical advice
Admission to the park is R40 for adults and R20 for children aged 6-16. Children under 5 have free entry. Pensioners and the disabled receive a discount.
The Rietvlei (Reed marsh) has a size of 38 square kilometers and has 91 km of roads. 40 km of these roads are open to everyone. 30 km of this is paved and 10 km can be used for a self-driven safari. The Rietvlei and the Marais reservoirs are located within the reserve.
The reserve consists of three main areas: Note the different telephone numbers:
- The wildlife reserve area. Tel.: 27 12 358-1811. Picnic area with toilets BBQ facilities ( braai) at the Marais dam, four birdwatching hides are situated throughout the reserve and open to anyone in the reserve. Two huts lapas can be rented.
- Angel area. Tel.: 27 12 358-1819. Fishing opportunities and chalets.
- Yacht club. Tel.: 27 12 454-0637, 27 82 488-9900, Email: [email protected]. Managed by the Pretoria Sailing Club. Only boats belonging to the club are allowed.
kitchen
There is the Rietvlei Coffee Shop and you can take any kind of food with you. It is forbidden to feed animals and there are drinking water points at various points where you can leave your car. Alcohol is allowed but you will be expelled from the reservation in case of abuse.
security
Since there are dangerous animals in the reserve, you should only drive your car in the designated areas, such as picnic areas, birdhouses, huts (lapas) and leave campsites; swimming is not permitted anywhere. The waters are the refuge of the hippos and crocodiles.
trips
In the province Gauteng there are several other natural places worth seeing that are supposedly not yet overcrowded.
- Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. Tel.: 27 11 957-0106, Email: [email protected]. Located in Krugersdorp; on offer are: safari trips, trail rides, observatory, mountaineering and climbing, swimming facilities and barbecues and picnic facilities; Lots of different species of animals.Open: Open 8AM to 3:45 PM.Price: R70.
- Sterkfontein Caves (Head west along the N14 and look for the Cradle of Humankind signs). Tel.: 27 11 956-6342. There is a guided tour through the cave system in which early Homenides and monkey bones were found. Attention it is a 2 km way. If you are interested in human evolution, you can get lessons in the museum. A restaurant and shop are also available.
- Tswaing Meteorite Crater, Old Soutpan Rd (30 km north of Onderstepoort). Tel.: 27 12 790-2302. A perfectly preserved meteor crater north of Pretoria.
- Simple accommodations can be found in Hartebeespoort.
