Obakeng Mohane
Centurion, Gauteng IG: @travelwithob
One of the ways that I recharge for the coming work week is to interact with nature.
Who knew that Pretoria’s Groenkloof Nature Reserve is the oldest in South Africa? It was known as Fonteindal Game Reserve back in 1895. This is the closest nature reserve to my house – I can see zebra, ostrich and giraffe while exploring the trails. It costs R49 per adult to enter; R31 per child aged 7 – 17 and R16 per child aged 6 and under.
I love hiking, and Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve (about an hour’s drive from Joburg, near Heidelberg) is a great place to prepare for longer, multi-day hikes. The Bokmakierie Trail is 10 km long and gives you a good workout while you admire the scenery. Reserve entry R45 per adult; R35 per child under 12, plus R35 per car per day.
On the other side of Joburg, in the Magaliesberg, I enjoy visiting Askari Lodge in Plumari Private Reserve for Sunday lunch. One Sunday, as I sat eating a delicious meal, two elephants came down to drink at the dam. It was a perfect day for me!
If I just want to quickly slip away and enjoy a game drive, I visit Rietvlei Nature Reserve, popular with many Gauteng nature-lovers.
Not far from the Cradle of Humankind, near Muldersdrift, you’ll find Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge. I like their 9 km hike, which takes you around the lake and ends at the “waterfall” which is really just the dam overflow. I’ve seen impala, zebra and giraffe. They have a “beach” restaurant that overlooks the dam shore – a great spot for a post-hike brunch. • Groenkloof Nature Reserve
groenkloofnaturereserve@tshwane.gov.za • Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
friendsofsuikerbosrand.co.za
• Plumari Private Reserve
plumarireserve.co.za
• Rietvlei Nature Reserve
rietvlei-reserve.co.za
• Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge
cradlemoon.co.za