Rietvlei Nature Reserve is the largest of the natural areas within the Pretoria city limits, protecting 3800 hectares of endangered bankenveld grasslands and reedbeds around the Rietvlei Dam. Rietvlei offers sanctuary to an astounding variety of indigenous game and birdlife just minutes away from our home, and was the perfect destination for a picnic with a good friend on the last Sunday of August. The gallery that follows comprises some photos we took on the day, and is a perfect introduction to what this special reserve has to offer – in the few hours we spent there we ticked 13 kinds of mammals (including plains zebra, eland, waterbuck, reedbuck, buffalo and white rhino) and 53 different birdspecies.
The Rietvlei Nature Reserve, on the southern outskirts of Pretoria, is owned and managed by the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and is very popular, especially over weekends and on public holidays. The reserve offers chalet accommodation and camping, self-drive game- and birdviewing , photographic hides, picnic sites, a coffee shop, lion camp (guided tours only), guided night drives, fishing, sailing, rowing, hiking, mountain biking and horse trails.
You are so lucky to have such a wonderful reserve so close to home! I’d probably pay a visit there every weekend.
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Rietvlei has a very dedicated following, Cal – I’ve heard of many people who actually visit it daily before and after work!
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I would dearly love to explore your Neck Of The Woods. I know Danny certainly would. Your photos are awesome. 🙂
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Thank you very much Sarah! I’m sure you would have a most memorable time here in South Africa!
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I know We would. Danny and I thrive on being outdoors. We love animals and nature. I miss traveling here in the US . Let alone anywhere else.
Love and Hugs…
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I’m sure that love of travelling serves as a great motivator!
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For me it does. So I visit blogs like yours and learn about other countries
I am in need of a visit to see my dad and sister. I may take a bus again. Flying you don’t get to see anything.
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Road Trip!
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What a grand gallery of these majestic creatures! Thank you for sharing!
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We’re glad you could visit Rietvlei with us, Amy!
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Pragtig! Ongelooflike reeks fotos.
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Dankie Spokie!
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The detail on the wattled lapwing photo is wonderful!
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Thanks Jen! We were surprised that it allowed us to get so close!
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Fantastic set of photos 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Bye. K
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Thank you for the kind commentary, Kamila!
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Lazy Sundays viewing peaceful animals are the best.
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We couldn’t agree with you more Dendymactoodle!
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We sold a small holding there just last year. We never visited the area as we don’t live in the country. Always had people renting the houses on the small holding. They loved it – and we had the same people renting for years. Eventually the rentees bought it from us. Looking at your photos I realize maybe it was a huge mistake. I definitely did not know there were any rhino’s there. As a child I remember riding my horse around a smelly vlei and hunting tarrentaal in Rietvlei area. Hindsight is such an exact science…
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And there we were thinking just how lucky those people who live in houses overlooking the reserve are! It’s good to know some of them appreciate it. Had we known, we could have advised you Daniel 😉
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You are really lucky to have this so close! I love your collection!
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Thank you very much, and definitely agreed, TGeriatrix!
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The rhino’s horn….it is OK?
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Rietvlei’s management routinely shorten their rhinos’ horns to discourage poaching, Lois. A sad but very necessary precaution, unfortunately.
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Your blog has so heightened my awareness of this. Thank you for all the beautiful photos and invaluable information, always.
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We really are thankful for your support Lois!
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So many animals! And different birds! Truly amazing
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We’re lucky to have Rietvlei on our doorsteps, so to speak.
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So beautiful! “Like” just can’t express our feelings about this post. What a magnificent day.
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You are way too kind, Jean & Alex. Thank you very much!
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Amazing photos :).
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Thank you very much Corey, and welcome here!
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