Suikerbosrand
The Largest Nature Reserve In The Old Transvaal And The One Piece Of Serious Highveld Walking Within An Hour Of Johannesburg Thirteen Thousand Hectares Of Grassland And Bushveld Ridge With Zebra, Eland, Hartebeest And A Long Bird List, And A Network Of Day And Overnight Trails That Is Where The City Actually Goes Hiking · Heidelberg, Gauteng
Johannesburg is a city of five million people with almost nowhere to walk, which is why this ridge an hour south of it matters more than its modest reputation suggests. Suikerbosrand is the largest nature reserve in the old Transvaal: thirteen thousand hectares of highveld grassland and bushveld folded over a long quartzite ridge, with zebra, eland, red hartebeest, wildebeest and a long bird list, and a network of day and overnight hiking trails that is the only serious walking country within reach of the city. There are no dangerous predators, so you walk freely. It is also the clearest example in this whole set of a place that needs a warning rather than a recommendation: the reserve has had sustained management and funding problems, trails and the overnight huts have been closed for long stretches, and you should confirm what is actually open before you drive out rather than after, because an hour each way is a poor way to find it out.
On the Suikerbosrand ridge between Johannesburg and Heidelberg, off the R550, Heidelberg, Gauteng, South Africa
DAYLIGHT GATE HOURS with a modest entry fee per person and vehicle, and a visitor centre near the entrance. There is a scenic drive through the reserve and a network of day walking trails from short loops to a long full-day route, plus overnight trails with huts. THIS IS THE WARNING THAT MATTERS: THE RESERVE HAS HAD SUSTAINED MANAGEMENT AND FUNDING PROBLEMS, AND TRAILS, THE HUTS AND SOMETIMES WHOLE SECTIONS HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR LONG PERIODS - telephone the reserve or the provincial authority and ask what is open rather than driving an hour on the strength of a map. There are picnic sites and basic facilities. Heidelberg is 20 km away and Johannesburg about 70 km north-west. MALARIA-FREE, and cold on winter mornings.