Kloofendal Nature Reserve
Kloofendal Nature Reserve, an ecotourism and cultural heritage spot, is located in the Roodepoort suburb of Kloofendal, on Gauteng’s West Rand. About 25km from central Johannesburg, the 110ha reserve provides a retreat from city life.
Kloofendal is characterised by rocky outcrops and unspoilt Highveld vegetation. The transitional, endangered Bankenveld vegetation is a primary draw card, but the reserve is also home to various small animals, such as duiker, mountain reedbuck, dassies, mongoose, hedgehogs, black-backed jackal, mole rats and gerbils. Twitchers will enjoy the bird hide at the dam, and should look out for black sparrow hawk, Verreaux’s eagles, Ovambo sparrowhawk, peregrine falcon, spotted eagle owl, barn owl and wailing cisticola.
The reserve is also the location of one of Johannesburg’s first gold mines, the Confidence Reef Mine, where gold was discovered in 1884. The mine was declared a national monument in 1984, and its remains and old stamp mills can be viewed by special appointment.
Visitors to Kloofendal Nature Reserve can enjoy walks along the park’s various trails. Organised walks are conducted by the Friends of Kloofendal, an organisation dedicated to the environmental upkeep of the reserve. There are picnic facilities at designated spots and the park hosts occasional evening events.
If you want to enjoy a lazy afternoon stroll and enjoy nature in a peaceful suburban area, Kloofendal Nature Reserve is the place visit.
Admission
Free
Visiting hours
Daily from 06h00 to 18h00; during winter, the reserve may be closed due to fire hazard
Directions
Kloofendal Nature Reserve is near Westgate and Clearwater Mall. Take the N1 South towards Roodepoort, exit at 14th Avenue and turn right. Turn right on to Hendrik Potgieter. Turn left on Christiaan de Wet, right into Wilgerood Road, left into Topaz and almost immediately right into Galena. The entrance to the reserve is at the bottom of the hill, on your left.