Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
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Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is one of Gauteng’s premier tourist destinations. Set just a short distance from the buzzing city of Johannesburg, a few minutes drive from Johannesburg International Airport and near the historical town of Heidelberg, this reserve boasts a representative sample of the fauna and flora of the Rocky Highveld Grassland biome. It is aptly named after the Transvaal-Sugar bush (Protea caffra), one of the dominant types of vegetation within its borders. With 134 square kilometres of unspoiled natural environment and a mountain range characterised by meandering twists and turns of hiking trails, the reserve offers an unbelievably refreshing break from the bustling city life. Here, the altitude varies between 1545 and 1917 m above sea level.
Recent land acquisitions have seen the reserve almost double in it size. A huge challenge for the reserve's management is to include the newly acquired lands in the reserve without disturbing the balance within the original area.
The Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is managed by the Gauteng province's Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Land Affairs, South Africa.
For other reserves in Gauteng and elsewhere in South Africa see: National parks (South Africa)
[edit] Wildlife
Over 200 bird species have been identified in the reserve. For the game enthusiast, the reserve also offers a large range of mammal species including:
- Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx)
- Zebra
- Oribi
- Grey Rhebuck
- Steenbok
- Kudu
- Black Wildebeest
- Springbok
- Common Duiker
- Red Hartebeests
- Blesbok
- Common Reedbuck
- Mountain Reedbuck
- Brown Hyena
- Black backed jackal
- Chacma Baboon
- Aardwolf
- Small spotted genet
- Porcupine
- Cape Fox
- Aardvark
[edit] Cycling and Mountainbiking
The reserve is popular amongst mountainbikers and road cyclists for its quiet roads and trails, beautiful scenery, brutally steep climbs, fast twisting descents and the unusual chance to break the posted vehicle speed limits on a bicycle!
[edit] Hiking
The reserve includes a Visitors' Centre and the Diepkloof Farm Museum. The reserve can be explored on foot using several of the day and overnight hiking trails. The overnight hiking trails are especially recommended.
