Groenkloof brosjure 2011...E-mail: [email protected] Management: David Boshoff...
Transcript of Groenkloof brosjure 2011...E-mail: [email protected] Management: David Boshoff...
In the 1820's Mzilikazi arrived in this beautiful valley, by which time the baKwenas had already driven the San people out. He stayed at Meintjieskop while his impis built two of his cities in the area. The women used to fetch water from the Apiesriver and called it Enzwabuhlungu. This means “something that hurts” which refers to the sharp dolomite rock that used to hurt their feet. The Sotho name is Entsabohloko and refers to the circumcision rites where the young men of the tribe used to stand in the water during the ceremony.
On 25 February 1895 President Paul Kruger proclaimed the valley on the southern outskirts of Pretoria as a game sanctuary - this was the first game sanctuary on the African continent. Its main purpose was to protect the large herds of animal on the outskirts of town from hunters who were responsible for their demise as well as protection for the shy and timid Oribi which occurred here.
In 1910 portions of the area were rented out for the establishment of commercial wood plantations because of the wood and paper shortages due to the world wars. By the late 1950's the City Council of Pretoria became the owner of the area. In 1994 the reserve became the responsibility of the Department of Nature Conservation and preparation started for the re-release of game.1999 was the year wherein impala, kudu, blue wildebeest and ostrich were re-introduced on to the reserve and 2002 saw the release of giraffe and red hartebeest. In 2004 a herd of rare and endangered sable antelope were introduced on to the reserve.
Big clean-up operations has been done to restore this area to its original vegetation of woody veldt.
The reserve is situated where Highveld vegetation develops into bushveld so a mixture of these two veld types occur on the reserve. It also boasts a mature woodland of white stinkwood (Celtis Africana) and common sugar bush (Protea caffra).
Some of the wildlife that can be seen include: zebra, jackal, duiker, kudu, impala, blue wildebeest, blesbuck, red hartebeest, ostrich, giraffe and sable. The rich bird life will keep bird lovers busy for hours on end.
The Nature Reserve is reached via the entrance to the Fountains Valley Resort from Mondays to Fridays. Follow the R21 to the Fountains Circle; take the Fountains/Centurion turn-off into Christina de Wit Road. Approximately 500m further, turn left at the entrance to the Fountains Valley Resort. Weekends and public holidays use the alternative entrance gate 800m from the Fountains Valley main entrance gate.
GROENKLOOF NATURE RESERVE
LIST OF MAMMALSqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
Canis mesomelasBlack Backed JackalConnochaetes tarinusBlue WildebeestEquus quaggaBurchell's zebraThryonomys swinderianusCane ratSylvicapra grimmiaCommon duikerApycerus melampusImpalaTragelaphus strepsicerosKuduGalago moholiLesser BushbabyHystrix africaeaustralisPorcupineProcavia capensisRock DassieLepus saxatilisScrub HareGalerella sanguineaSlender MongooseRaphicerus campestrisSteenbokAlcelaphus buselaphusRed HartebeesGiraffa camelopardalisGiraffeFelis silvestrisAfrican WildcatHippotragus nigerSable AntelopeRedunca fulvorufulaMountain reedbuckCaracal caracalCaracalCinictis penicillataYellow mongooseRhabdomys pumilioStriped mouseMus minutiodesPigmy mouseAtelerix frontalisHedgehogCeropithecus pyperythrusVervet MonkeyRattus rattusHouse RatGenetta tigrinaLarge spotted GenetOreotragus oreotragusKlipspringer
FACILITIES
4x4 NATURE TRAIL
HORSE TRAIL
PICNIC AREA
TRACTOR DRIVE
NIGHT DRIVE
BAMBER YOUTH CAMP
OVERNIGHT HUT
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Reserve offers a moderate 4x4 trail of about 14 km that consists of obstacles, any of which drivers can bypass if they do not feel up to the challenge. There are enough to get the adrenalin flowing! The trail is also great for game viewing and enjoying a fun and eventful day out. If a vehicle gets stuck on the trail, reserve officials will be able to assist at an additional recovery fee.
Day and overnight rides are available and take place under guidance of a qualified guide. Riders must be able to ride and have some experience in horse riding. This activity is available for group of 6 - 8 persons. Each rider will be provided with their own horse. No person under the age of 12 or weighing over 120 kg is allowed.
The Mashupeng and Meriting picnic areas are available for visitors doing the hiking trails, mountain bike trail or 4x4 trail. A good idea is to leave your vehicle at the picnic area before doing your activity and to come back and have a relaxing picnic or braai in the shade of the big pine trees, and experience the serene surroundings in the heart of the city.
This activity is for children only. It is a different and fun game drive that gives children the chance to see wild animals from a different perspective and at a closer range. A qualified guide is with the children on the trailer and will point out animals and vegetation to them and give them interesting information about these.
Game is tracked from open cross-country vehicles by spotlights. Groups of 10 - 20 persons are accompanied by a qualified guide. This includes the use of the lapa area to braai afterwards. The gates will be opened for groups from 18:00 until 22:30 and bookings are essential.
This is an ideal camp for scouts, cubs, church groups, the Voortrekkers, environmental education groups and other youth groups. The camp has a dormitory with 30 bunker beds, a kitchen with a fridge and a stove, a braai area, ablution facilities with hot water, a small mess hall and a loft with extra mattresses for sleeping. The braai area has a fire-pit for making a bushveld fire. Tents may also be pitched, but the camp can manage a maximum of 50 people only. Booking must be done in advance and for a minimum of 10 people. Children and youth groups enjoy this wonderful experience that gives them the opportunity to learn more about the environment and nature.
An overnight hut is available for a maximum of 12 and a minimum of 3 people. The hut has two interlocking rooms, and each has 3 bunker beds. There is a small fridge and a basin in the one room. Overnighters can use the lapa which has ablution facilities with warm water. The lapa and the overnight hut have electricity. There are two braai areas in the lapa, and a fire-pit to make a bushveld fire. Do not be surprised if some of our grazers visit the hut during your stay. Sleeping over in our overnight hut is a great nature experience for young and old.
Gate times: Summer (September - April) 05:30 - 19:00Winter (May - August) 07:00 - 18:00
Entrance to the nature reserve will only be allowed until 1 hour before closing time.
Guides must be booked two weeks in advance.Bookings are only necessary for the overnight facilities, tractor and game drives, horse trails and guides.Please note that our facilities are nature oriented, and no parties and functions are allowed.
Bookings: Tel: (012) 440 8316Fax: 086 512 9536E-mail: [email protected]
Management: David Boshoff Tel: (012) 440 8316Fax: 086 516 3449E-mail: [email protected]
Address: Groenkloof Nature ReservePO Box 1454, Pretoria, 0001
NATURE RESERVE
GROENKLOOF
AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTALMANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
NATURE CONSERVATION AND RESORTS
"we are the same"
CITY OF TSHWANE
Groenkloof Nature Reserve offers a lot of different activities for nature lovers just 5km out of the city centre.
There are several hiking routes that differ in their degree of difficulty. The 10.5 km yellow trail cuts across a rocky hill and is recommended for those who are walking fit and experienced at hiking. The shorter trails such as the 4 km white trail and the 3.5 km red trail are recommended for the younger and older groups. Maps are available for self-guided hikes, but guided hikes can be provided if booked two weeks in advance.
The four hour yellow trail is a great scenic route with a magnificent view from the top of the hill towards the Voortrekker Monument, Waterkloof golf course, the Unisa campus, the city’s CBD, and Fort Klapperkop. Game that you can expect to see on this route are giraffe, kudu, impale, zebra and blue wildebeest, and bird lovers can enjoy the rich bird life. The red and white trails will each take you about one and a half to two hours to walk. These trails take you past a cave where the rock hyrax live and the boma where game are kept under observation and the sable antelope’s are fed.
The ± 20 km mountain bike trail consist of an adventurous single and jeep track and is a great and safe trail for professionals to do their training and for social mountain bikers just to have a fun day out enjoying nature and viewing game.Mountain bikes and helmets can be hired at the Reserve’s office during the week. Over weekends and on public holidays an official is on duty for this purpose opposite the picnic area. Please note that we have a no-helmet, no-ride policy.
HIKING TRAILS
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
LIST OF TREESq
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Acacia caffra Common hook thorn
Acacia karrooSweet thorn
Acacia robustaAnkle-, Brack thorn, Splendid acacia
Berchemia zeyheriRed Ivory
Brachylaeana rotundataMountain silver oak, Yellow brachylaeana
Burkea africanaWild seringa, Red seringa
Canthium gilfillaniiVelvet rock alder
Canthium mundianumRock alder
Carissa bispinosaForest num-num, num-num, Y-thorned carissa
Celtis africanaWhite stinkwood, common celtis
Combretum erythrophyllumRiver bushwillow, river combretum
Combretum molleVelvet bushwillow, Velvet leaved combretum
Combretum zeyheriLarge-fruited bushwillow, Large-fruited combretum
Cussonia paniculata var paniculataHighveld cabbage tree
Cussonia transvaalensisTransvaal cabbage tree
Dicrostachys cinereaSickle bush
Diospyros lycioidesBluebush, Red star-apple
Dodonaea angustifoliaSand olive
Dombeya rotundifoliaCommon wild pear
Ehretia rigidaPuzzle bush
Englerophytum magalismontanumTransvaal milkplum, Stem fruit
Erythrina lysistemonCommon coral tree, Lucky-bean tree
Euclea crispaBlue guarri, Blue leaved euclea
Euclea undulataCommon guarri, Thicket euclea
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Euphorbia ingensCommon tree euphorbia, Candelabra tree
Ficus ingensRed-leaved fig, Red-leaved rock fig
Grewia occidentalisCross-berry
Gymnosporia buxifoliaCommon spike-thorn
Heteromorpha arborecensParsley tree, Parsniptree
Ancylobotrys capensisWild apricot
Kiggelaria africanaWild peach, Pink-wood
Myrsine africanaCape myrtle, Myrsine
Nuxia congestaCommon wild elder, Brittlewood
Ochna pulchraPeeling plane, Peeling bark
Olea europaea subsp. africanaWild olive
Ozoroa paniculosaCommon resin tree
Pappea capensisJacket-plum, Indaba tree
Protea caffraCommon sugarbush,
Rhamnus prinoidesDogwood, Shiny leaf
Searsia lanceaKarree, Willow rhus
Searsia leptodictyaMountain karree, Rock rhus
Searsia pyroidesCommon wild currant,
Searsia zeyheriBlue taaibos, Blue currant
Rothmannia capensisCape gardenia, Common rothmannia
Strychnos pungensSpine-leaved monkey orange
Tapiphyllum parvifoliumMountain medler, Small velvet leaf
Vangueria infaustaWild medlar
Zanthoxylum capenseSmall knobwood
Ziziphus mucronataBuffalo-
Highveld protea,
Manica protea
Fire-thorned rhus
thorn
Struthio camelus Common Ostrich
Ardea melanocphala Blackheaded Heron
Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret
Scopus umbretta Hamerkop
Threskiornis aethiopicus African Sacred Ibis
Bostrychia hagedash Hadeda Ibis
Dendrocygna viduata White-faced Duck
Alopochen aegyptiacus Egyptian Goose
Anas undulate Yellowbilled Duck
Sarkidiornis melanotos Comb(Knobbilled) Duck
Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite
Aquila verreauxii Verreaux's (Black) Eagle
Circaetus cinereus Brown Snake-Eagle
Accipiter minullus Little Sparrowhawk
Nunida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl
Vanellus coronatus Crowned Lapwing (Plover)
Vanellus armatus Blacksmith Lapwing (Plover)
Burhinus capensis Spotted Thick-knee (Dikkop)
Columba guinea Speckled (Rock) Pigeon
Columba arquatrix African Olive (Rameron) Pigeon
Streptopelia semitorquata Redeyed Dove
Streptopelia capicola Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove
Corythaixoides concolor Go-away-bird
Cuculus solitarius Redchested Cuckoo
Coculus clamosus Black Cuckoo
Clamator levaillantii Levaillant's(Striped) Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx caprius Diderik Cuckoo
Centropus burchellii Burchell's Coucal
Tyto alba Barn Owl
Bubo africanus Spotted Eagle Owl
Caprimulgas pectoralis Fiery-necked Nightjar
Colius striatus Speckled Mousebird
Urocolius indicus Red-faced Mousebird
Ceryle rudis Pied Kingfisher
Halcyon senegalensis Woodland Kingfisher
Halcyon albiventris Brown Hooded Kingfisher
Upupa Africana African Hoopoe
Phoeniculus purpureus Green (Redbilled) Woodhoopoe
Tockus nasutus African Grey hornbill
Trachyphonus vaillantii Crested Barbet
Indicator minor Lesser Honeyguide
Dendropiccos fuscescens Cardinal Woodpecker
Dicrrurus adsimilis Forktailed Drongo
Oriolus larvatus Blackheaded Oriole
Corvus albus Pied Crow
Turdoides jardineii Arrowmarked Babbler
Pycnonotus tricolor Dark-capped (Blackeyed) Bulbul
LIST OF BIRDS
Turdus libonyanus Kurrichane Thrush
Tardus smithi Karoo Thrush
Tardus smithi Olive Thrush
Cossypha caffra Cape Robin Chat
Cossypha humeralis Whitethroated Robin Chat
Cercotrichas leucophrys Whitebrowed Scrub Robin
Sylvia borin Garden Warbler
Sylvia communis Common Whitethroat
Acrocephalus baeticatus African reed(-Marsh) Warbler
Acrocephalus palustris Eurasian Marsh Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler
Sphenoeacus afer Cape Grassbird
Cisticola chinianus Ratling Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens Levaillant's Cisticola
Cisticola fulvicapillus Neddicky
Prinia subflava Tawny-flanked Prinia
Prinia flavicans Black-chested Prinia
Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher
Sigelus silens Fiscal Flycatcher
Stenostira scita Fairy Flycatcher
Terpsiphone viridis African Paradise Flycatcher
Lanius collaris Common Fiscal
Lanius collurio Redbacked Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus Southern Boubou
Laniarius atrococcineus Crimsonbreasted Shrike
Dryoscopus cubla Black-backed Puffback
Tchagra australis Treestreaked Tchagra
Telophorus zeylonus Bokmakierie
Telophorus sulfureopectus Orangebreasted bush Shrike
Acridotheres stristis Common Myna
Spreo bicolour Pied Starling
Cennyricinclus leucogaster Plumcoloured (Plumcoloured) Starling
Lamprotornis nitens Cape Glossy Starling
Onychognathus morio Red-winged Starling
Cinnyris talatala White-bellied Sunbird
Chakomitra ameth Amethyst (Black) sunbird
Zosterops pallidus Cape White-eye
Passer domesticus House Sparrow
Passer melanurus Cape Sparrow
Passer diffuscus Southern Greyheaded Sparrow
Amblyospiza albifrons Thickbilled Weaver
Ploceus capensis Cape Weaver
Ploceus velatus Southern Masked Weaver
Quelea qeuelea Red-billed Quelea
Euplectes orix Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes afer Yellow-crowned (Golden) Bishop
Euplectes albono White-winged Widow
Euplectes ardens Red-collared Widow
Euplectes progne Long-tailed Widow
Pytilia melba Geen-winged Pytilia (Melba) Finch
Lagonosticta rhodo Jameson's Firefinch
Uraeginthus angolen Blue Waxbill
Estrilda astrila Common Waxbill
Estrida erythronotos Blackcheeked Waxbill
Amandava subflava Orangebreasted Waxbill
Lonchura cucullata Bronze Mannikin
Vidua macroura Pintailed Whydah
Serinus mozambicus Yellow-fronted (eyed) Canary
Serinus atrogularis Black-throated Seadeater
Serinus gularis Streaky-headed Canary
Emberiza tahpisi Rock Bunting