Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve - An Ecological Adventure
Named after the Transvaal Suikerbos, Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve lies close to a town called Heidelberg and is within an hours drive from Johannesburg. The Suikerbosrand Mountain Range is the backdrop of the Reserve, standing 1917m above sea level at its highest peaks, and the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve covers an area of 13 337 hectares.
The Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve can be viewed on foot, or by vehicle. The backpacking hiking trails consist of a 66km long network, with varied distances for each trail. Day visitors to the park can enjoy either a 17 or 10 km hike, or drive along the 60km tourist route. Overnight hiking trails are also available.
The animals you are most likely to encounter are Black and Red Wildebeest, Eland, Brown Hyena and many others. The landscapes are spectacular, with grass plains and rock formations. The varied flora of the park will keep visitors looking for more to identify, with a range including White Stinkhout trees, Sweet Thorn trees and Highveld / Pretoria Suikerbos. Wild Sweet Peas, Orange River Lilies, Proteas and Disseldoring, add a touch of color to this rugged landscape. The region’s geology consists of the Ventersdorp system, of Igneous Rock called basalt, and the Witwatersrand system, sedimentary sandstone.
The Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve area has very unpredictable weather, and it is therefore advisable to plan your hike in the early morning. Summer and autumn are the suggested months to hike in, but the extreme weather is throughout the year. Summer is known for its unbearable heat at midday and afternoon thunderstorms. The day hikes have three options to choose from, a two hour Cheetah Trail, the Bokmakierie Day Trail and a Paraplegic Trail, specifically for visitors in wheelchairs.
Various accommodations is available including a Meditation Hut, which guests can book on request, if you are wanting to escape it all, and relax in the peace and tranquility, only nature knows how to provide. Staying at the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, walking the trails and enjoying the plants and animals, makes it very hard to believe that the biggest and busiest city in South Africa, is merely a stone throw away.