The Wilds Nature Reserve — Attraction in Johannesburg Ward 67

The Wilds Nature Reserve in Johannesburg is a fantastic urban green space that offers a welcome escape from the city bustle. Here's a review highlighting its best features: A Tranquil Oasis: Situated in the heart of Houghton, this 16-hectare reserve provides a serene environment with indigenous vegetation, rocky hills (koppies), and lovely views of the Johannesburg skyline. It's a place where you can truly reconnect with nature without leaving the city. Scenic Walks and Trails: The Wilds boasts well-maintained walking paths that wind through the gardens and up the koppies. Whether you're looking for a relaxed stroll or a bit more of an incline, the trails cater to various fitness levels. You'll discover beautiful viewpoints like Jock's View and the Giraffe Lawn, offering panoramic city vistas. For a longer walk, you can explore the East side, connected by a bridge over Houghton Drive. Artistic and Playful Elements: Local artist James Delaney has played a significant role in revitalizing the park, adding whimsical metal animal sculptures and mosaic art throughout. These artistic touches bring a unique and playful dimension to the natural setting, making it engaging for visitors of all ages. Keep an eye out for the 67 owl sculptures hidden in the yellowwood forest! Revitalization and Community Effort: Once known for being overgrown and unsafe, The Wilds has undergone a remarkable transformation thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the local community. This rejuvenation has made it a safe and cherished space for residents and tourists alike. Educational Value: The reserve serves as an important educational resource, with schools and community groups visiting to learn about indigenous flora and fauna and the importance of conservation. Key Features and Highlights: Free Entry: A fantastic and well-maintained space that doesn't cost anything to enter. Indigenous Gardens: Explore a wide variety of local plants and flowers, with beautiful red aloes in winter. City Views: Enjoy spectacular views of the Johannesburg skyline from various points within the reserve, including the iconic sundial at the highest point. Art Installations: Discover the unique and charming sculptures and mosaics scattered throughout the park. Picnic Spots: The spacious lawns, like the Giraffe Lawn, are perfect for a relaxing picnic. Birdwatching: A haven for birdlife, making it a great spot for bird enthusiasts. Dog-Friendly: Leashed dogs are welcome in the park. Historical Significance: The land was donated in 1924 and opened to the public in 1938, later declared a national monument. Important Considerations: Some pathways can be uneven and involve steps, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. It may not be suitable for prams or wheelchairs in all areas. For safety, it's generally advised to walk in groups on the East side of the reserve. The West side is usually well-populated and considered safe. There are no shops or cafes inside, so bring your own water and snacks. Overall, The Wilds Nature Reserve offers a unique and enriching experience in Johannesburg. It's a beautiful blend of nature, art, and community spirit, providing a peaceful retreat and stunning city views. It's definitely worth a visit for anyone looking to escape the urban environment and enjoy some...

Today we explored the west side of The Wilds Municipal Nature Reserve (Houghton) situated in the heart of a literal concrete jungle.

The park itself is really lush and pretty. Ideal venue to combine a relaxed walk with appreciation of art. Corrugated steel/iron structures by James Delany as well as mosaic and other artistic touches make this a really interesting walk. A spectacular array of flowers and trees. The green, manicured lawns are perfect for a picnic.

I would describe this as more of a walk than a hike. We explored the west side and this was more or less a 3km walk. For a longer walk one can venture over the bridge to the east side.

Dogs welcome on the leash. Perfect spot for a day out with smaller children. The walkway is paved throughout but contains many steps and climbs so is probably not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. The walk does not require a high level of fitness. The majority of the paths are shady which is very welcome in this extreme heat. The water features will be beautiful once they have been fully restored.

This is a public park and one has to appreciate the work the local community has done here to turn around this venue. Their commitment translates into a much transformed reserve compared to a few years back. They have a really informative facebook page you can visit @ Friends of The Wilds, Joburg to truly understand the progress they have made. Weekly group events such as walks and yoga are facilitated from this platform.

Parking on site is limited but safe parking is available at St John's school just down the road. The school's parking has access control and has security on duty. Free parking and entrance.

The Wilds used to have a very bad reputation as a crime Hotspot due to the location and reports of muggings. Thanks to intervention by the local community this has dramatically improved. The Wilds is divided into two sections separated by a bridge. The West side which we visited today is not a safety concern at all. This side is well maintained and has many visitors and has not had any incidents of crime reported since the community got involved. The East side had a few incidents of sporadic crime a few months ago. As per "Friends of the Wilds" recommendations the East side should be visited in groups of 3 or more people at a time and is not suitable for solo walks.

An enjoyable...

The Wilds is actually a great place to spend quality time with a spouse, some friends, family or even with a book. It's scenery is also something to adore especially with the bloom of the Jacaranda trees. The best views being from Munro drive point, Eagle's View, the Sundial and Kudu Corner. (All of which are pointed out on the map posted in the entrance just beyond the parking lot). If you are looking to be alone then the best places are on the west side of The Wilds, more specifically Rock Meditation path and St John's view. Very few people tend to go there, mostly because of the sheer walking distance from the main entrance. A tip for all who seek to venture The Wilds, always bring a water bottle, the taps (while many) are far from each other and only accessible from the East Wilds section of the park. If crowds aren't your cup of tea the I strongly suggest avoiding Fridays to Sundays and holidays. The park opens as early as 06:00 am so you can spend your mornings there. The best days to be there are Monday to Thursday mornings until 11:00 am because the park is relatively empty, in exception of the early morning joggers that zip right by you.

I've seen questions about food lately. It honestly is sold independently by different people, however the current food stall has small snacks. All transactions ate cash only for the time being but I'm not sure if that is going to change. These tend to be available on the weekend so during the week you would need to bring your own food. [I actually strongly suggest bringing your own food all the time because time...