Groenkloof

Groenkloof, Pretoria

Just over the hill from Pretoria's Unisa campus, Groenkloof lies bordered by the suburbs of Nieuw Muckleneuk, Waterkloof and the Groenkloof Nature Reserve.

Calling it Groenkloof ('green gorge' when translated from the Afrikaans) is rather apt. It is one of the greenest suburbs in Pretoria - and that is saying something, as most of Pretoria's suburbs are leafy - because of its proximity to the nature reserve.

Next door to Groenkloof is the recently rehabilitated Klapperkop Hill - an area just west of Nelson Mandela Drive that is now fenced in order to re-establish plants and wildlife and create a safer environment for hikers and cyclists. Fort Klapperkop was one of four forts built to defend Pretoria, even though it never fulfilled its function and is now a military museum of military history from 1852 to the end of the Anglo-Boer War. It's worth a visit just for the views from the summit.

Despite the greenery, Groenkloof is only five minutes from Pretoria's CBD, three kilometres from the main campus of the University of Pretoria, it is close to shopping malls, restaurants, and the towering 270 metre Telkom Tower that serves as a landmark in Pretoria. The greenery though, is a huge bonus for all who live in Groenkloof. Within the suburb is Herbert Baker street, named after the architect who designed the Union Buildings, which one can visit, not far from Groenkloof.

After designing the Pretoria railway station - having made his mark designing a series of beautiful homes, schools, cathedrals and churches throughout South Africa - Herbert Baker selected Meintjies Kop as the site for the impressive parliamentary building, despite its facing south and in spite of criticism as to its ambitious and expensive nature.

Travellers' Reviews

1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.

Verified reviewvery good

MY FIRST HIKE IN THE RAIN, YOLO at GROENKLOOF By Ntombifuthi Ntanzi Come rain or sunshine, literally! This idiom would be most appropriate given that I have grown accustomed to hiking every weekend. You see my 2023 mantra is all about being intentional in all that I do and hiking every weekend is not short of the list. It is 06h51 as I drive into Groenkloof, uBhuti security greets me with a smile, asks for my name and proceeds to say; ‘Mara, Ntombi le hika le ko pulenge (Ntombi you even hike in the rain), I exclaim proudly, ‘vele’. The staff is very friendly and helpful. So off I went! I did the yellow 10.5-km loop trail in reverse, a moderately challenging route and very rocky with inclines here and there so you will get a mini workout on your thighs and glutes. I have hiked Groenkloof before in the scorching sun, so they are various sections that are shaded areas, more like a forestry escape. This time around I hiked in the rain, I was amazed at how different the trail looked in the rain as it poured 95% of the time. The lush green vegetation appeared even more vibrant - the groen in Groenkloof came to life, and the popping browns of the rocks, a picture would not do justice to this beauty I witnessed. The sound of the raindrops hitting the leaves, it was music to my ears. The trail is well marked with lovely marking indicating how far you have hiked throughout the trail, even in the rain. There were fewer people on the trail, and it was much more aesthetic with the air clear and fresh, thanks to the rain. Nearing the end of the trail amid the gray skies and mist that accompanied the rain, a flock of ostriches and a lone zebra graced us, it felt very mystical adding to my hiking experience. On a sunny day you will see more game such as wildebeest, zebra, ostrich, and giraffe.

Ntombi (jhb)