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GENERAL INFORMATION

The main activity on Rietvlei Nature Reserve is game viewing. It is the largest Reserve within City borders with wild animals in the world. Just a few of the animals include: Rhino, Buffalo, Lion (only on booked tours), Black Wildebeest, Zebra, Various antelope such as Eland, Blesbuck, Red hartebeest, Springbuck and Duiker.

Bird watching can be done either from your own vehicle or from various birdhides.
Horse riding: Short rides on Saturdays and Sundays. Longer rides (including overnight) with pre booking
Angling and camping in the Rietvlei dam
Picnics at a fantastic area next to the Marais dam
Lion tours from the Coffee shop
Official booked game drives
Lapa can be booked for company or large functions

ADMISSION TIMES FOR DAY VISITORS:

Summer: September to March 05:30 – 17:00 (You may remain inside until 19:00 when the gates close).
Winter:   April to August 06:00 – 16:00 (You may remain inside until 18:00 when the gates close).
Access:  From the Olifantsfontein Road (Goedehoop, M57) (DMS 25°52’58.655”S 28°15’47.455”E)

TARIFFS

  • Adults
  • School Children 6 to 16 years
  • Pre-School Children, 2 – 5 years
  • Children, 0 – 2 years
  • Persons 60 years and older who can provide proof thereof and disabled persons
  • Season tickets for day visitors, per person valid for 1 year
  • Season tickets for day visitors, per pensioner/disabled person or child valid for 1 year
    Season tickets are not transferable and issued to a specific person.
  • R 65.00
  • R 38.00
  • R 12.00
  • FREE
  • R 38.00
  • R440.00
  • R1120.00

GAME SPECIES:

Rhinoceros, buffalo, hippopotamus, cheetah, eland, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, zebra, ostrich, blesbuck, springbuck, reedbuck, waterbuck, steenbok, duiker, oribi, black-back jackal, brown hyena, etc.

BIRDS & PLANTS:

More than 400 species of birds and 530 species of plants have been identified.

FACILITIES

    JAKKAL’S DEN (JAKKALSGAT) OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

    • For Friends of Rietvlei only
    • R150.00 per person per night
    • Bathroom with toilet, hand wash basin and warm water shower
    • Kitchen with hot and cold running water
    • 2 Bedrooms
    • Electric lights in all rooms
    • Fireplace and braai facilities (wood supplied)
    • Picnic bench outside

    Bookings: e-mail robbie@friendsofrietvlei.org 
    Bookings confirmed after deposit of full amount Vacate and return keys before 16:00 on last day

    OVERNIGHT FACILITIES:

    Camping area with ablution blocks. (Camping for maximum of 60 days / calendar year / person)

    Maximum 60 people per night for  the entire camping site
    Per tent or caravan with one person per night = R 100,00
    Each motor car for campers, whether his own motor car or that of the guest (per motor car) = R 40,00

    Self Catering Chalet (maximum 6 persons)
    Per night R 800
    Refundable damage deposit R 280

    Other facilities: 
    Toilet and braai facilities.
    Species of fish: Carp, yellow fish, catfish, and kurper.
    Other information: No canoes, boats or bait boats are allowed on the water. No swimming!
    Mountain Bike Trails: Per person per ride   R12,00

    ANGLING AREA:

    Tel: 012 480 9944 or 358 1819

    Times of admission: 06:00 to 18:00 every day

    Only permit holders may enter. Permits may be obtained at the angling gate. Entrance through the angling gate.

    LAPA:

    Booking of the Lapa at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve is essential. All bookings must be made three weeks in advance at Tel: 012 358 1811/2.

    • Tariffs: R 3000,00 per occasion and a refundable damages deposit of R 2300, 00 must be paid in advance.
    • R 20,00 per person entrance fee must also be paid in advance and entrance tickets collected at Main Gate. 30 – 200 guests can easily be accommodated (maximum 200). Firewood is supplied. Power points, ice machine, stove and walk-in refrigerator. There is a guard at the entrance gate, and a person at the lapa as caretaker and guard. No loud music will be allowed and groups must be out by 24:00. No entrance in to the reserve allowed accept with prior arrangement during gate times.

    Fish Eagle Lapa:

    Only available with night drive or lecture hall bookings. Booking essential and payment must be made in advance. Situated at the Main Gate of Rietvlei Nature Reserve behind the lecture hall. Tariff: R 1170,00 per occasion and a refundable damages deposit of R 940, 00. Firewood is supplied. No loud music will be allowed and groups must be out by 22:30.

    Training Facilities

    Lecture room seated maximum 66 persons + audio visual equipment Hire of lecture room per day, or part of the day R1065,00 + Hire of audio visual equipment.

    ACTIVITIES

      TOURS IN THE RESERVE

      Organised group tour(with private vehicle), per personNormal entrance fee
      Guide per tour groupR 170,00
      Organised groups of children, 0-6 years, per childR 6,00
      Lion camp tour per person ( guided on vehicle)
      Adults (per person)R 40,00
      School children, 6-16 years (per child)R 20,00
      Pre-school children, 0-5 years (per child)R 5,00
      Persons 60 years and older who can produce proof thereof and disabled persons(per person)R 20,00

      YACHT CLUB:

      Entrance: Club members only. Contact the Secretary at 012 345 0621 for more information. E-mail: psc@sailing.org.za . No other members of the public will be allowed on the water.

      BUS TOUR:

      A group may organize a bus themselves if they wish to do so at normal entrance prices and R 170,00 for the guide.
      Organized environmental youth groups with own bus R 620 (one guide included).
      Organized environmental youth group, children under 6 years with own bus R 6,00 per child and R 170,00 for the guide.

      HIKING: (ALL HIKING IS GUIDED)

      Day hiking trails (10 – 15 persons), 4 hours long and guided:
      Per person:R 75,00
      Minimum deposit:R 350,00
      Overnight hiking (6 – 8 persons), From the Friday to the Sunday afternoon:
      Per person:R 235,00
      Minimum deposit:R 410,00
      Facilities:
      Two overnight rondavels with beds and mattresses, hot and cold water, limited cooking utensils and firewood. No electricity. A Nature Conservationist accompanies the hikers on the route. The route covers a distance of 21km through the reserve. There are various historical structures on the route.

      HORSE RIDES: (ALL HORSE RIDING IS GUIDED)

      Age restriction:No person under the age of 12
      Weight restriction:No person over 120kg
      Day rides: (6 – 10 persons)
      Per person:R 235,00
      Minimum deposit:R 410,00
      Horses and saddles are supplied, and rides take place under guidance.
      Overnight rides (6 – 8 persons)
      Per personR 470,00
      Minimum depositR 940,00
      From 17:00 on Friday to 12:00 on Sunday (may be altered). Two overnight rondavels are used. Rides take place under guidance and each rider is provided with a horse and equipment. The route covers a distance of about 36 km. Riders must be able to ride and have some experience.

      NIGHT DRIVES AND DAY TOURS WITH OUR OPEN GAME VEHICLES (10 – 20 PERSONS):

      From 18:00 to 22:30 on Mondays to Saturdays (under guidance). The drive takes approximately 2 hours. (No charge for the use of the Fish Eagle Lapa with night drives)

      Per personR 175,00
      Minimum depositR 700,00

      Bring and braai afterwards (Own food, drinks, crockery and cutlery). Wood, a fire and blankets are supplied. A spotlight is used to track and point out game from a vehicle. Winter months are extremely cold and warm clothes are essential.

      ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION:

      Day groups (minimum of 10 and maximum of 120 children) for a 2 hour program.
      Per child: R 40,00
      Adult personnel and parents accompanying group: R 48,00
      Deposit: R 330,00 and R 170,00 for qualified environmental guide