A little known tourist gem in Gauteng: The Krugersdorp Game Reserve

My Sunday morning started like many others, with coffee on the balcony at home listening to the birds. Except on this particular morning 30 minutes later I was driving between Black Wildebeests, Gemsbok, Eland, Springboks and even jackal! Who knew that such an authentic slice of African bush could be found so close to home at the Krugersdorp Game Reserve? Not me that's for sure! Now let's be clear this is no Kruger Park but considering the other options within the same distance of Jozi, it is a welcome escape I definitely will be taking advantage of again!

    Ground Squirrel 

The 1500 hectare reserve is home to at least 28 mammal species and over 200 bird species. Some are rare, like the endangered Black Wildebeest, some roam the reserve in massive herds, like the Red Hartebees, and some are just plain entertaining, like the hippos or hundreds of ground squirrels that inhabit the reserve. There are also lions! They are in a separate 200 hectare enclosure within the reserve but at least live in their natural environment - and in fact do so, so well we were only able to spot 5 of  the 14 lions despite driving around their section at least 5 times. It is a much more realistic experience, than for instance The Lion Park, and since there is no petting of the lions it's also much more animal-friendly and sustainable tourist activity.

    Male mature lion 

As if it's size and proximity to Johannesburg were not enough there are also all sorts of activities for the adventurous. You can learn to 4x4, stay over, mountain bike through almost all of the reserve - the main non-entry area of course being the lion area - as well as take a guided horse back tour through the park (again skipping the lions!) On Sundays at midday you can watch the lions be fed and there are plenty of great picnic spots to wile the hours away in. Again let's be clear you're not going to get a full on big 5 game experience, but it's much better than a zoo and a really great way to spend a day, especially if you don't have the time to get out of the city. Many parts and roads in the Reserve are currently being renovated and one can only imagine what could be done if they had some earnest support. There have been claims of mismanagement of this Reserve in the past but hopefully these are signs that things are changing - the facilities, based on my experience this past Sunday, were old but all well maintained. So who knows maybe one day Jozi, just like Nairobi, will have it's own big five game reserve with a cityscape backdrop...

    Horse back tour of the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, Sunday 28 July 2013


FYI: From Krugersdorp, travel towards Rustenberg on the R24 and you can contact the Reserve on + 27 (0) 11 950 9900. Entrance is R80 and self-drive hours are 08:00 to 17:00, but earlier hours are available to mountain bikers. 

Words and photos by Tracy Angus-Hammond (@T2T_Trace)