Groenkloof Nature Reserve

by Ilze
(South Africa)

Groenkloof Nature Reserve is a little spot of heaven situated in the fountains valley, about 5 km from the centre of Pretoria. Not many people know about this beautiful piece of land even though it is right under their noses. As the name implies it is a nature reserve and there is something to do for every member of the family.

There are many activities to choose from when you visit this reserve and all of them are quite affordable. It is an ideal spot for a day outing with your family or friends. The most popular activities at the Groenkloof Nature reserve are the 4x4 trail and the biking. The 4x4 trail is quite challenging but so much fun!

I have seen a few people having trouble negotiating the turns and dips but at the end of the day, who doesn’t love a challenge? Depending on how fast you like to drive this route can take anything from an hour and a half to three hours to complete. After a good rainfall this route feels a bit unsafe, especially if your vehicle doesn’t have all the goodies you need to drive in muddy areas.

The biking is also a very popular activity, mostly on weekend mornings. There are various routes to choose from. Although I haven’t participated in this activity yet, I hear it is quite an experience. Many cross country riders go to Groenkloof Nature Reserve to practice their technique, exercise and enjoy the general scenery. The tariffs are reasonable, but remember your hard hat. No helmet no ride. They strictly enforce their safety rules.

You can also enjoy nature at its best by attempting one the hiking trails. The trails differ in length so you can choose the one that best suits your fitness level. If you want something more comfortable and luxurious you can do a route with your car. No 4x4 needed. This route is about 6 km.

My favourite activity is the horse riding. Enjoying nature from the back of a horse is truly amazing. The animals does not feel threatened when you approach them on horses and this means that you can get up close and personal with the variety of animals they have at the Groenkloof Nature Reserve. You can choose between one or two hour rides and can also book for day or overnight rides. The staff is very friendly although not always very well organized.

After you completed the 4x4 trail or anyone of the other activities you can take your picnic basket and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in the picnic terrain. There are braai facilities you can use just remember your own wood and firelighters. Chairs or blankets are also useful if you don’t want to sit on the ground – I speak from experience.

Other facilities includes lapas you can hire, overnight facilities for bikers, hikers and 4x4 drivers and the Bamber Youth Camp can accommodate up to 60 people. The Moyo restaurant is also situated on the premises. The Groenkloof Nature Reserve is really a place you should visit when you are looking for something fun to do over the weekends.