Rating the Trails with my Jimny and my boys: Faerie Glen Nature Reserve Pretoria

Rating the Trails with my Jimny and my boys: 

Faerie Glen Nature Reserve Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
http://www.tshwane.gov.za/Services/Nature%20Conservation/Pages/Faerie-Glen-Nature-Reserve.aspx

Faerie Glen Nature Reserve was part of the farm Hartbeespoort which belonged to Mr. H. Sturben. Old aerial photographs clearly show that the flood plain was used as farming land and the rest of the farm land was used for grazing cattle.  The reserve forms part of the Bronberg Conservation area which was declared in 1980 and covers an area of 128h. A sanctuary proving a birding paradise with some very interesting and pretty trails. It mostly follows the Moreleta Spruit with the northern border being formed by a section of the Bronberg Mountains. The Reserve also forms part of the 8km Moreleta Spruit Nature Trail. The perennial Moreleta Spruit flows through the reserve which accounts for the abundance of stunning grassland and rich vegetation we found today. I would like to see the reserve once more rain has fallen  to capture the wild flowers that must flourish here.

The parking space is small but under some really stunning small trees and already the birds could be heard chirping their little hearts out!! Inside the reserve are some rare trees as well as some rare birds like the Corncrake and River Warbler. The reserve boasts over 150 species of birds!! 

Activities and Facilities:

The area is known as a prime hiking and birding destination with a view of Pretoria East from Rhenosterkop, the highest peak/point of the reserve. thre are 3 hiking trails however we found them to be poorly marked as did other hikers we encountered. We all ended up meandering around and giving each other tips on which trails led where. All part of the adventure and it was fun though! Many visitors brought along their dogs on leads. It is a great outing for the dogs (in the front of the entrance is a tap with a hose attached and bowels!) with some really nice grassed and flat trails lower down. Only once did we find marking for the red trail. We also found out that the best time for birding is in summer with the best results of sightings in the early mornings and late afternoons. The bird hide is situated along the Moreleta Spruit. 

Also at the entrance a chap who was at the reception counter was more interested in a private call (which appeared to be a lady friend) on his cell phone than helping us, even when I informed him that I would like more information as I was going to be writing about our experience. He pointed to a map on the wall and told us that this was it as no other printed maps were available. The toilets both male and female were really dirty and could do with a good scrub. This place has such potential to be a real jewel but it is clearly not managed very well by the municipality at all.

Three hiking trails are said to be available: currently it is an adventure on its own to try and figure out the trails. We did take a photo of the map on the wall with our cell phone (got to love modern technology!), but we found so many more trails so it became a little confusing. 

It also mentions that some small game had recently been reintroduced and  released including five zebras, nine hartebeest and 16 impalas, however we did not come across any except for a small antelope, perhpas a duiker that shot through the undergrowth, far too fast for any proper identification, but exciting none the less!!


A total of 10.5km of meandering trails

Hadeda Route: 2.3 km

Acacia route: 3,2km

 Kiepersol route: 4,2km

after making a decision to hike  upwards towards the highest point we came across this stream it was really beautiful but the water is not drinkable and was somewhat dirty. some really good rain was needed to clear the water. 

It was time for my son to take my new Nikon CoolpixL820 camera,  and have some fun at the expense of his mom. Had a few laughs here and did not get wet.

Wildlife:  Although the smaller mammals such as mongoose, hedgehogs, hares, porcupines, cape clawless otter, bush babies and small spotted genets are difficult to spot, there is evidence that they are present. We came across several spoor across the pathways and was very excited to find some porcupine spoor and some of their very distinct droppings, now quills though. We did spot a mongoose racing across a few metres in front of us. Love this little critters they are so comical. we were grateful that we now seemed to be entering a more forested area which would offer some relief from the already hot sun beating down on us. I love the damp forest smells and all the moss that grows on the trees and rocks. We came across a "donga" with running water and thought we might find some mammals about but we only hear rustling - they were watching us I am sure and knew I was waiting with my camera!   The Terrain changed sharply and so did some of the vegetation as we went from a gentle path to one with loose big and small rocks. we found patches of open grassed areas where beautiful protea trees were growing. We also came across that uniquely African tree - "the cabbage tree" because of its unusual foliage that looks like a shredded cabbage. We could hear many different types of bird calls and spotted a few but managed to get no photographs, they were too fast. this is really a birders paradise and if you had the time to just sit and watch I recon that you would get sound fantastic photographs. We did come across some guinea fowl, sparrows, bishops, weavers and hadedas and I tired to get a snapshot of a elusive "Piet my vroue" a cuckoo, warning us of impending rain!   and somewhere here my batteries went flat Eish!! so I had to put my Nikon away and the rest of the pics were taken by my Samsung galaxy note 5. There were several lizards and a few beautiful butterflies and of course the songololo or Shongololo a millipede. From the Nguni ukusonga, meaning to roll up or to fold. Which is what they do when they are threatened. We find many black ones on our hikes but this time we also found a yellow and black striped one. Was super excited!  As mentioned the black ones are very common on our hikes and the bright red ones are said to be poisonous. The locals tell you that you will get quick sick if one bites you but you shouldn't die> I wondered how their tiny little "teeth" would sink into you so I did a little digging to dispel myth and urban legend. This is what I found out about these really awesome little critters.!! They are covered in an exoskeleton which they use as a shield. i love to watch them as their little legs move in a wavelike motion. they only have between 36 to 400 legs not 1000 legs as their names suggest. (so someone actually sat down and counted the tiny weeny little legs so cool!!). I do avoid picking them up as they often give off an awful smell that is really difficult to get off your skin and can also leave a "brownish" stain skin. When in danger they actually secrete hydrocyanic acid which repels predators, they also secrete alkaloids, benzoquinones, phenols, terpenoids and others. Some of these substances are caustic and can burn the exoskeleton of ants and other insect predators and the skin and eyes of larger predators (like humans!). Then this enthralled me: Primates such as the Capuchin Monkeys and lemurs have been observed intentionally irritating millipedes in order to rub the chemicals on themselves to repel mosquitoes. how cool it that!! They do not bite or sting and they mostly eat decaying plant matter and ants. They shed as they grow and lay between 10 and 300 eggs.  As we started to scramble to the top to the highest point of the nature reserve we started to see some really stunning rock formations and patterns.     Vegetation: Faerie Glen Nature Reserve falls in two vegetation units namely Gold Reef mountain Bushveld with the beautiful rocky quartzite ridges  and to the south of the reserve the Marikana Thornveld within the valley and Acacia Karoo woodland. As we made our way to the top we were treated to some really fantastic views over looking Pretoria. We had to climb up onto some big rocks and then walk along a stunning rocky ridge with a drop to our left. we hoped we may be able to spot some of the released game from up here but today it was not to be. We will just have to come back and hike at sunrise and perhaps then we will find the elusive game and be privileged enough to walk with the animals!! and then we made our way along a rocky path along the edge to the summit of the highest point of the reserve: Rhenosterkop or Renosterkop. Once on top we found the large white Trig Beacon heralded the highest point of the reserve, Rhenosterkop or Renosterkop. The views are quiet breathtaking from up here. We found several butterflies as well as a rather friendly lizard that almost found its way into my backpack!!   After some drinks, snacks and a breather just to take in the magnificent views and appreciate how privileged we were to be able have and share this experience we made our way back down. It was a little tricky in parts as it was steep and had many loose rocks and to add to the challenge not many trees to hold onto.    We did come across the "Queen of the Night", those long tall thin cacti bushes as well as some of the prickly pears both of which are not indigenous and most of the reserves are trying to get rid of them. The Queen of the night has sap that is useful in controlling ticks on the animals and some farmers actually put them into the cattle feed for this reason, but it is apparently not good for the surrounding vegetation.  We also found some pine trees, not sure if they should be there but they are one of my favorite trees bringing back a flood of happy childhood memories through pine forests and up mountains, I love they way in which the wind blows through them sending out such peaceful voices in the wind almost as though all your troubles are simply blown away.  We found several wild flowers and a small little "ravine" that had some interesting plants and rocks.  we were in open veldt again before we entered into a forested area as we headed back to the entrance.  To the left of the bridge is the bird hide. We did not have time to visit it but we will be back to do just that with camera in hand! and then we stumbled upon this really breathtaking views of the spruit!!! I manged to get a newsletter from a proactive group calling themselves "Friends of Faerie Glen Nature Reserve (FFGNR)" which stated the following awesome information on the reserve and its activities that I felt needed to be shared. Love it when communities rally around to protect our heritage. Well done guys!! These guys also have a website www.fgrn.co.za Visiting hours: ·        Summer ( September - April): 06:00 - 18:00 ·        Winter ( May - August): 06:00 - 18:00   How to get there: From the N1, take the Atterbury turn-off to the east. At January Masilela (Genl Louis Botha) Avenue turn left and follows the directions to the reserve. The reserve will be on your right hand side just after Glenwood Road. (also check your GPS as it was already in mine) Admission Fees:  (note we only paid R5 each?) but these prices are on the website? Adults 13 years and older per person R6,00 Schoolchildren 7 - 12 years per person R3,00 Pre-schoolchildren 0 - 6 years per person Free Pensioners 60 years and older per person R3,00  Season tickets valid for 6 months Adults 13 years and older per person R200,00 Schoolchildren 7 - 12 years per person R165,00 Pre-school children 0 - 6 years per person Free Pensioners 60 years and older per person R165,00 Bookings and Contact Numbers Bookings are only necessary for the guided walks - preferably 4 weeks in advance Enquiries: 012 358 1510 Fax: 012 358 0467 E-mail Adelene Marais at adelenel@tshwane.gov.za

Overall it is a really great family outing and dogs on leads are allowed. If you have smaller kiddies stick to the grass and sand road/paths that will lead you towards the bird hide. they are easier for them and the elderly. If you want to hike to the top then some good walking shoes with ankle support and if you have knee problems or are a little on the unstable side (not mentally but balance wise!) then a walking stick or trekking poles would be helpful. The board says Easy - difficult but in all honesty we would label the lower bits easy and the higher bits moderate. Will we go back - absolutely I really believe this is another little gem tucked away that the people from Pretoria are hiding form us and I don't blame them. so people go out and explore and take your family two legged or four legged with for a great little adventure in our beautiful country.

Make every day an adventure, be safe
Adventurekim.com