Nigel

While Nigel in the East Rand is not the most well-known area of Johannesburg, it has in recent years developed a reputation as a tourist-friendly destination.

Nigel lies approximately 63km from Johannesburg enfolded in a lush leafy background.

In 1886, when gold was found on the farm Varkensfontein, the owner of the farm, Petrus Marais, was reading Sir Walter Scott’s “The Fortunes of Nigel”. Marais became a major shareholder in the Nigel Gold Mining Company and many of the street names of the town that subsequently developed around the mine were also taken from this book.

At the Marievale Bird Sanctuary hiking through the sanctuary and birdwatching go hand in hand

The Marievale Bird Sanctuary encompasses two lakes and a large wetland or ‘vlei’ area. Both resident and migratory birds are drawn here and mine management has acknowledged their value. The park exists as a bona-fide sanctuary. The 1 000 hectare bird sanctuary on the Blesbokspruit is the peaceful home of some 450 species of birds. Birds that have been spotted in this wetland area include waterfowl, flamingo, African spoonbill and some of the rare wader migrants from the northern hemisphere.

The reserve contains a picnic spot with braai and ablution facilities (no entrance fees). There are five hides over-looking the pans, four of which have chemical toilets nearby. Have a look the ShowMe article or the Country Life article on Marievale.

Enquiries

(through Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve):

Tel: +27 (0) 11 904 1011 or 904 3930/3/7, +27 (0) 71 602 7581

Gate times: Open Close

Summer 05H30 19H30: Winter 06H30 18H00

There is a charming Aeronautical Museum at Dunnottar Airport (+27 (0) 11 360 6000), as well as a private Train Museum with an impressive collection of historical trains (this can only be visited by prior arrangement: +27 (0)11 360 6000)

To see other things to do around East Rand (Ekurhuleni), visit ShowMe.