SUIKERBOSRAND HIKING/BIKING/PICKNICKING TRAIL

http://www.gauteng.net/attractions/entry/suikerbosrand_nature_reserve/

The dominant mountain range, valleys and grassy plains together with the extensive flora and fauna makes the reserve an excellent destination for hiking, cycling and picnicking. Just some of the wildlife which can be spotted include Zebra, Black Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest and Brown Hyena. Approximately 200 birds have made the reserve their home which has made Suikerbosrand a firm favourite with the birders.

Sunset at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. Photo courtesy hyper7pro

An hour’s drive from Johannesburg, near the town of Heidelberg, the 11 595ha Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is one of the best places in Gauteng for cycling, hiking or picnicking among magnificent fauna and flora. The reserve takes its name from the Transvaal suikerbos or sugarbush (Protea caffra) that outnumbers all plants and vegetation in the reserve.

The Suikerbosrand mountain range varies in height from 1 545m to1,917m and forms the backbone of the reserve. The flora is surprisingly varied and includes a large number of grass species. Trees include the white stinkwood (Celtis africana), highveld cabbage tree (Cussonia paniculata), ouhout (Leucosidea sericea), sweet thorn (Acacia karroo), Protea kaffra after which the reserve is named, and the common guarrie (Euclea undulata).

Wild flowers include the agapanthus (Agapanthus campanulatus), disseldoring (Berkeya seminivea), wild sweet pea (Sphenostylis angustifolia), Orange River lily (Crinum bulbispernum) and the large witchweed (Striga elegans). The fairly extensive list of mammals found in the reserve is quite long and includes eland, zebra, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, brown hyena, mountain reedbuck, common duiker, steenbok, grey duiker, baboon, oribi, blesbok, springbok, kudu and cheetah.

The dominant mountain range, valleys and grassy plains together with the extensive flora and fauna makes the reserve an excellent destination for hiking, cycling and picnicking. Just some of the wildlife which can be spotted include Zebra, Black Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest and Brown Hyena. Approximately 200 birds have made the reserve their home which has made Suikerbosrand a firm favourite with the birders.

An hour’s drive from Johannesburg, near the town of Heidelberg, the 11 595ha Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is one of the best places in Gauteng for cycling, hiking or picnicking among magnificent fauna and flora. The reserve takes its name from the Transvaal suikerbos or sugarbush (Protea caffra) that outnumbers all plants and vegetation in the reserve.

The Suikerbosrand mountain range varies in height from 1 545m to1,917m and forms the backbone of the reserve. The flora is surprisingly varied and includes a large number of grass species. Trees include the white stinkwood (Celtis africana), highveld cabbage tree (Cussonia paniculata), ouhout (Leucosidea sericea), sweet thorn (Acacia karroo), Protea kaffra after which the reserve is named, and the common guarrie (Euclea undulata).

Wild flowers include the agapanthus (Agapanthus campanulatus), disseldoring (Berkeya seminivea), wild sweet pea (Sphenostylis angustifolia), Orange River lily (Crinum bulbispernum) and the large witchweed (Striga elegans). The fairly extensive list of mammals found in the reserve is quite long and includes eland, zebra, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, brown hyena, mountain reedbuck, common duiker, steenbok, grey duiker, baboon, oribi, blesbok, springbok, kudu and cheetah.