Kloofendal Nature Reserve

About Kloofendal Nature Reserve

On the West Rand of Gauteng, within the leafy residential suburb of Roodepoort, lies the Kloofendal Nature Reserve.

Did you know? Kloofendal was one of the first reserves to be established in the Johannesburg area, and remains one of its prime cultural heritage sites, as well as a key player of the local ecotourism industry.

The Kloofendal Nature Reserve covers 150 hectares of the South African landscape and lies only 25 kilometres from the bustling city centre of Johannesburg and the OR Tambo International Airport. Its central positioning makes it an ideal day trip for those visiting the City of Gold, but it is also secluded enough to transport visitors away from the “real world” to a place of verdant greenery and noteworthy wildlife.

The Kloofendal Nature Reserve is of particularly high conservation value as it is the transitional zone between three major ecosystems; namely Drakensberg, Savannah and Bankenveld. This vegetation not only provides beautiful landscapes in which to relax and take in the sights and sound of the African countryside, but is also important in terms of providing the natural habitat of many animals. Some of these include the hyrax (also known as the dassie or rock rabbit), mongoose, hedgehog, duiker, and mountain reedbuck.

Those with a penchant and a passion for bird-watching will be well-rewarded at Kloofendal, as it is home to a number of lovely bird species. It also boasts a bird hide at the local dam, from where countless species can be observed and enjoyed as they go about their daily tasks.

Some avian species that you are likely to encounter are the black sparrow hawk, spotted eagle owl, wailing cisticola, ovambo sparrowhawk and the barn owl.

The Confidence Reef at Strubens Gold Mine can also be found within the borders of the Kloofendal Nature Reserve. This was established in 1884, making it the oldest of its kind in and around the city. Viewing of the mine can be arranged in advance, and provides a unique perspective into the history of the region. This mine is now a National Monument.

Hiking and walking trails are popular amongst visitors to Kloofendal, as the rocky outcrops and ecological diversity provide the ideal scenery in which to explore the South African landscape.

The different trails are of various lengths, and suitable for various levels of fitness. They can be self-guided, or formal walks can be arranged with one of the volunteer guides at Kloofendal. The latter allows you to gain insight into and information about the reserve while guides point out plants and animals that may otherwise have gone unnoticed. Some of the organised walks include frog safaris and mushroom hunts.

The picnic facilities in the reserve are popular amongst friends and families that want to relax in the warm Gauteng sunshine and enjoy time together, unhindered by traffic, work and the distractions so typical of life.