These two natural enclaves in Pretoria are wonderful places to visit when you need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and recharge your batteries.
Faerie Glen Nature Reserve – a birding paradise
It’s an idyllic wonderworld of natural bounty – with beautiful scenery, a rich birdlife and a whole host of nature trails and walks. This lovely 128 hectare sanctuary also features the national flower – the Protea – which can be seen in all its glory on the hills within the reserve. Since it’s part of the Morelata Spruit Nature Trail (an 8km meander), the perennial Moreleta Spruit flows through the reserve, resulting in lush grassland and abundant vegetation.
With more than 150 bird species in the mix, birdwatchers love visiting the reserve, especially with the hopes of glimpsing the European Nightjar, African Black Duck, Brown-backed Honeybird, European Bee-eater, Cape Grassbird, Marsh Warbler, Crimson-breasted Shrike and Village Weaver. The rare Corncrake and River Warbler are coveted sightings too.
The various hikes and trails on offer vary in strenuousness and the paths are easy to follow with visible signs aplenty. And for some well-deserved refreshment, the Plumbago Tea Garden is just the ticket!
Struben Dam Bird Sanctuary in Lynnwood Glen
Whether you’re in the mood for a hike, some superb birdwatching or a picnic, this sanctuary is bound to hit the spot and has plenty of options for relaxation. For starters, the vast, shaded lawns are ideal for laidback afternoons catching up with friends or family, or just losing yourself in a really good book.
The sanctuary also offers some limited casual fishing spots on the south eastern banks, and these are available on a first come, first serve basis. The fish species that flourish here include the banded tilapia, sharp tooth catfish, canary curper karp and bass.
For those who want to bring their four-footed friends, it’s a great location to walk them and let them swim, but owner’s are advised that dogs should be on leashes. You should also watch out for the birds and make sure that your dog doesn’t start chasing the ducks.
In terms of the scenery, Struben Dam is blessed with a vegetation known as Bankenveld – a transitional type that veers between grassland and bushveld. Below the dam wall, there’s also some riverine bush and the area also has a few marsh areas. Dominant species that are found here include the river bush willow, acacia karroo, acacia caffra and celtis Africana, and a few indigenous trees and shrubs thrive in the higher parts.
