Rating the Trails with my Jimny and my boys: Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens-Geological Trail.

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens 
- Geological Trail:

I visited the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Johannesburg earlier this year in February and again last Saturday. 

I had not been to the gardens for some time and was able to visit during two different seasons and this time with my new Nike Camera was able to capture some really stunning close up photographs.

 It goes without saying that it was very easy to find and my GPS had it already stored.  There are also several large sign boards along Hendrik Potgieter along the way. You can approach the gardens from two different directions; however you will still end up on the main road that goes past the gardens.

The gardens are beautifully maintained and the staff were friendly and helpful. We were given a map of the trails and then had our wrists "rubber stamped"

  Many families had gathered for a picnic and porters who operate manual trailers take all your heavy items from your car to where you plan to picnic. The result was some very spectacular picnic settings; some even had draped chairs with white cloth and bows. Wow this is not how I remember picnicking as a kid but think I will bring my family along for a 5 star picnic experience!!

The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens have been used by families and people as a popular destination since the 1800's even though it was officially founded in 1982.

For the past 9 years the gardens have been voted as the best place to get back to nature in Johannesburg.

 The natural vegetation of the area is known as the Rocky Highveld Grassland and consists of a mosaic of grassland and savanna with dense bush in the kloofs and along streams.

This variety of habits allows for over 600 different varieties of naturally occurring plants to flourish, creating a spectacular sight for all to enjoy.

 

 

A Breeding pair of majestic Verrequx'z Eagles nest on the cliffs alongside the waterfall. We watched as two photographers with their huge lenses sat on their chairs as they waited to capture the antics of the eagles. Jordan also spotted a photographer in “camo” lying up on one of the ledges above the waterfall. He wore orange sneakers and had an orange rug sack which! I was photographing them and missed a split second shot. As the eagle suddenly took flight and spread his wings out I was fumbling with my new camera and missed the shot!!

 you can see the eagle on the left of the "stick" nest

 The garden is also home to an abundance of wildlife with over 220 bird species recorded on site.

There are also a number of insects,reptiles and small mammals, including some small antelope and jackals which occur naturally in the reserve.

  

  We walked two trails - the forest trail which runs along the small river offering some spectacular photographic opportunities.

 

 

 In the gardens the beautiful natural occurring water fall falls majestically down jagged kloof into pools below. You are not allowed to swim here and it is closed off.  There are surprisingly strong currents in the main pool and it is rather deep.  I speak from experience as a Swift Water Rescue Tech who has actually entered the pool.  The rocky formations are beautiful and you can see the two large stick nests that the eagles use for breeding with the naked eye.  There is also a telescope which is great to view the chicks in the nest.

When then walked to the water fall and up to the Geological Trail. If you are unfit you will find the going a little tough as its uphill for some distance. However; most of the route is treed and in shade. You have a rocky stairway with railings on the one side the help you along. We found it easy but we hike on a regular basis.

Once on the top of the trail it opens up to slightly drier vegetation with hundreds of protea bushes and different types of grass.

 

 





 

 You are also spoilt with the view of seeing the waterfall from the top and the water rushes over the edge to the pool below.  We then walked along a long winding path that was sometimes rather steep.  There are lots of lose rocks around so a good pair of walking shoes with ankle supports would be a good idea. I am fascinated by geology and I was in my element much to the boys irritation at the amount of photographs "just one last one" I took. The colours and patterns a spectacular - hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.

Once you are out of the forest sections and walking up on the top there is very little shade except near the Cairn where we added our rock to the pile.

The views from the top are quiet impressive and you can see civilization in the distance and can recognize some of the landmarks.

On the way down it gets a little tricky in that the wooden poles used for steps are rather deep, so you need to take a long step down and if you have issues with your balance trekking poles or a good walking stick would be useful here.

Your knees will take a bit on strain on the way down but it is not for long. Just make sure you are looking down at where you are stepping so you don't fall.

Make sure you have lots of batteries as you can very easily get carried away and take hundreds of photographs!!

There is a beautiful restaurant where you can sit down and eat.  We also found a soft serve ice cream van parked on the lawn.

On the way out we walked through the indigenous nursery which had a very interesting curio shop with some gorgeous memorabilia on sale.

 We were pleased to find clean toilets with plenty of toilet paper and soap.

All in all we can highly recommend it as a great family outing and great hiking facilities. My sons thoroughly enjoyed the short hike.

The hikes are mixed and cater for both the unfit and reasonably fit.

There are wide bricked path ways for the elderly with walkers and wheel chairs and a great bird hide and lake.

As a family outing we rate it 10/10 and  as a hiking trail the harder of the trails is the Geological trail and we rate it a 5/10.

Enjoy and take care

Adventurekim.com