Crimson
South Africa
has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and we don’t
even need to go far to enjoy a bit of respite from our daily hustle
and bustle. It turns out very few people know about the Groenkloof Nature
Reserve, in the heart of Pretoria. Seems you need to
know people who know mountain bikers, 4X4 enthusiasts (or
geocachers) who frequently engage in mountain biking, 4X4ing
(or geocaching) to find out about this little slice of heaven
in our urban jungle.
Situated
next to the Fountains Valley Resort just off Christina de Wit in
Pretoria lies the picturesque Groenkloof Nature
Reserve, home to impala, kudu, blue wildebeest, ostrich, giraffe,
red hartebeest and a flourishing bird life.
The Nature
Reserve is reached via the entrance to the Fountains Valley
Resort. On weekends and public holidays use the alternative
entrance gate 800m from the Fountains Valley main entrance gate at
S 25° 47.373 E 028° 11.826.
Tariffs and
other information can be found at http://www.tshwane.gov.za/groenkloof.cfm.
A little
known fact is that the Groenkloof Nature Reserve became the oldest
nature reserve in South Africa and the second oldest in the world
when President Paul Kruger proclaimed the valley a game sanctuary
in 1895.
The reserve
has loads to offer for the family and nature enthusiast, with
mountain biking, hiking and 4×4 trails, while the picnic area
provides a haven for relaxing those tired muscles.
History
In the 1820's Mzilikazi arrived in this beautiful valley,
by which time the baKwenas had already driven the San people
out. He stayed at Meintjieskop while his impis built two of
his cities in the area. The women used to fetch water from
the Apiesriver and called it Enzwabuhlungu. This means
"something that hurts" which refers to the sharp dolomite rock that
used to hurt their feet. The Sotho name is Entsabohloko and
refers to the circumcision rites where the young men of the tribe
used to stand in the water during the ceremony.
On 25 February 1895 President Paul Kruger proclaimed the
valley on the southern outskirts of Pretoria as a game sanctuary -
this was the first game sanctuary on the African continent. Its
main purpose was to protect the large herds of animal on the
outskirts of town from hunters who were responsible for their
demise as well as protection for the shy and timid Oribi which
occurred here.
In 1910 portions of the area were rented out for the
establishment of commercial wood plantations because of the wood
and paper shortages due to the world wars. By the late 1950's
the City Council of Pretoria became the owner of the area. In
1994 the reserve became the responsibility of the Department of
Nature Conservation and preparation started for the re-release of
game. 1999 was the year wherein impala, kudu, blue wildebeest and
ostrich were re-introduced on to the reserve and 2002 saw the
release of giraffe and red hartebeest.
Currently big clean-up operations are being done to
restore this area to its original vegetation of woody
bushveld.
The location of this
cache is just off the 4X4 course. You can also hike or bike
to it depending on your fitness level. Be on the lookout for
4X4 vehicles coming round the bend as the road is within a few
metres of the cache.
Enjoy the
hunt!