Klipriviersberg Municipal Nature Reserve — Attraction in Gauteng

Lovely piece of rugged veldt with a little river running through it and close enough to central Jo'bg to reach in under 30 minutes (avoiding freeways). A lot of locals use the space as a great big recreation ground for running and hiking, but if you're interested in wildlife there's plenty here. Small numbers of Wildebeeste and other antelope can be found, and I'm told there are one or two Zebra and Dassies but, as a tourist, I found the huge number of birds here impressive. Yes, most are standard, familiar SA species, but you can see unusual types like White-fronted Bee-eaters, Black Eagles and Boekmakerie, if you're lucky, and I had 9 species of Swift and Swallow in one day here as well as numerous flycatchers, canaries and shrikes. Jo'burg's municipal parks are mostly nice, and this one's safe and big enough to spend a few hours, with easily followed walks and a few well signposted historical sites. It's not suitable for those with limited mobility, owing to the rugged terrain, but you don't have to be an athlete to find a route you can cope with.

Please visit the visitors' centre and give the volunteers some money because this place is a...

There's an awesome assortment of trails (10/10). If you haven't hiked here before, it will be useful to look at the map at the entrance. The trails are well marked (colour coded). The red trail is probably the most difficult but here's one intensive combination you might enjoy: From the Kibler Park entrance, follow the entrance path then turn right (black path). Follow the black path, into the brown, then to the light green path (which is quite long), turn into the purple path which takes you to a summit where there are breath taking views of Johannesburg and nearby Suburbia. Going back to base, there's a few routes - one is to continue from purple into yellow (harsh downhill), into blue then dark green. If you're lucky in this long route, there's a high chance you'll see the Zebras and...

Trail hiking especially on guided tours is an awesome experience. The tour guides have vast knowledge of the plants, animals and early settlers. It's truly amazing that in the middle of Jo'burg there is such a beautiful nature reserve which is actually free and accessible to the public. The reserve is in an excellent shape plus the historical sites associated with Anglo-Boer war add on the experience. Guided tours are brilliant; a novice hikers like me can access a bit of information before one ventures on solo hikes. I recommend anyone to visit the reserve as one or family, it's a safe place. I am going to be part of the KRNR for sometime, thanks to the association running affairs of the reserve in conjunction...