The Wilds

About The Wilds

In the midst of the upmarket suburb of Houghton is The Wilds, a conservation area since 2006, and 16 hectares of incredible indigenous vegetation and lovely koppies. Through all of this ramble paths up hillsides that give you fantastic views out over the city from a number of different angles.

If you love to walk in nature then the Wilds is inner city magic. The network of paved footpaths remain in good condition and traverse most of the reserve. You can make an afternoon of it.

The walks are fairly hilly and there are trails on both sides of Houghton Drive, connected by a footbridge. The Wilds is an old park. It opened originally in 1938 and its paths were made of stone – which is why they're still in good shape today. There are a series of lovely lawns, ponds, waterfalls and some of the best flora the city has to offer.

If you're a bird watcher then the park's benches will provide plenty of opportunity to catch sight of a couple of unusual species. But a sign cautions that you walk the park at your own risk – like all Jo'burg's parks, you are safer in larger groups, although the perimeter of the park is now fenced, and locals walk their dogs with little problem.

It joins another six conservation parks the city now runs. The others are: Melville Koppies Nature Reserve, Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, Kloofendal Nature Reserve, Walter Sisulu Botanic Gardens, and Rietfontein Nature Reserve.

If you keep an eye out, there are periodic arranged walks in The Wilds. It's one of the easiest and fastest ways to connect with nature, and exercise, whilst still within the city limits.