The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is situated 18 km from the centre of Pretoria and 38 km from the OR Tambo International Airport. The 3 800 ha of endangered Bankenveld grassland includes open plains and undulating hills. The extensive vlei areas and tributary streams support the scenic splendour of the azure blue Rietvlei Dam.

The reserve is owned and managed by the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Some 1 600 head of game, including blesbuck, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, Burchell's zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck, springbuck, mountain reedbuck, steenbuck and grey duiker can be viewed here. From your own vehicle it is easy to spot these animals on the open plains, and the 60 km of tarred and dirt roads will take you close up.

Alight from your vehicle and be revived at the Marais Dam picnic site. Ablutions are available and a bird hide and shady spots with braai facilities are perfect for settling down while watching water birds and hippo. Bird watchers can be sure of seeing birds at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve that they have never seen before.

View elusive nocturnal animals, such as brown hyena, black-backed jackal, ant-bear, aardwolf, porcupine, springhare and bush pig, on a guided night drive that ends at the popular Rietvlei Nature Reserve Lapa for a memorable braai under African skies.

Come to Rietvlei Nature Reserve to encounter cheetah, leopard, buffalo and white rhino on guided hiking trails and horse trails. Day and weekend trails are available. Discover the secrets of the reserve's natural environment through various educational programmes presented by qualified guides. Booking is essential for all activities.

Daily bus tours are available for big groups preferring day-time game drives. Bookings for bus tours are not essential, but if a guide of the reserve is to accompany the group, an advance booking is essential (tel: 012 345 2274 or 012 358 1811/12).