LOCATION
Ezemvelo Nature Reserve accommodation east of Pretoria,
near Bronkhorstspruit in north east Gauteng, also close
to Johannesburg, is part of the De
Beers Diamond Route an ideal weekend breakaway
and has an abundance of wildlife and birdlife as well
as
activities like horse riding and hiking trails.
ABOUT EZEMVELO NATURE RESERVE
Ezemvelo lies beyond the eastern extremity of the
Magaliesberg, near Bronkhorstspruit and east of Pretoria,
in a transition zone between grassland and savannah
biomes.
Just an hour's drive north east of Johannesburg,
Ezemvelo Nature Reserve is a tranquil sanctuary for
grassland wildlife. The reserve is a carpet of rolling
grassy hills that's soft and green in summer
changing to tawny and dry in winter. But with the Wilge
River running through the highland reserve, there's
water all year round for wildlife. The clear, cool
waters of the Wilge have also cut dramatic gorges
through Ezemvelo, which make for enchanting walks and
scenic
trails - most notably the 6km long Penduka Trail,
which hugs the river and then curves inland to traverse
game-rich
areas.
There's also more than a little South African
history on Ezemvelo, and Andries Pretorius's
hunting cottage still stands proud on a grassy hillside
overlooking the surrounding hills on the reserve. A
short walk and some boulder hopping will reveal ancient
rock art too, but you will need a guide to accompany
you to this unmarked cultural site.
The deep secluded valley, protected from cold and
frost, has also served as a retreat to many different
people, as is attested by the archaeological remains
left in the natural shelter on the cliff high above
the confluence of the Wilge River and the Zaalboom
spruit.
The shelter had been used over millennia, from the
time of the Middle Stone Age hunter-gatherer people
who lived tens of thousands of years before the San
(Bushmen). The fine grained microlitic tools of Late
Stone Age people, and traces of San paintings have
also survived here. More surprising, however, are
the handprints and geometric designs associated with
Khoe-khoe
pastoralists who moved through the area.
The white
finger paintings of Sotho-Tswana people add further
interest to the subject matter while graffiti,
some in 19th century script, warrant further consideration.
ACCOMMODATION
Overnight facilities include the following self catering
facilities:
- Rhino House
- Legae Huts (Chalets)
- Family Huts
- Hikers Hut / Backpacker
Group Accommodation and Conference facilities
- Eland lapa (dormitries)
- Impala lapa (dormitries)
Camping and Caravan sites
- Electric points
- Ablutions
- Braai facilities
For more information about the accommodation click
here
RATES
For the latest Rates & Enquiries - click here
FACILITIES & SERVICES
A small shop on Ezemvelo stocks basic supplies and firewood and day-visitor
picnic and braai facilities are available.
Mini-golf,
volley ball and a swimming pool are there for visitors'
enjoyment. Or you could try your luck fishing in the reserve dam
- but catch and release
policy is strictly enforced.
ACTIVITIES
This is an excellent malaria-free option to see
both a diversity and abundance of African game within
two hours of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The following activities are available:
- Self-drive game viewing
- Guided day & night
tours
- Self-guided hiking trails
- Mountain biking
- Horse riding
- San Rock art
- Birding
WILDLIFE & NATURE
The grassy plains are teeming with herds of zebra,
black wildebeest, blesbok, eland and red hartebeest.
Grassland mammal specials include white rhino, aardvark
and aardwolf, with the predator list including leopard,
caracal and brown hyena.
Ezemvelo also protects the African rock python and
giant bull frog, which are both endangered.
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