Printer version interior:
Encounter giraffes, zebras and rhinos, magnificent valleys, and unique people and culture with South Africa - Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg. A next-generation guidebook written for the independent traveler and those who plan their trip with a tour operator. Visit the nature reserves and wildlife parks in and around Pretoria and Johannesburg with outstanding hiking opportunities that can compete with other top destinations in South Africa.
Preview B&W Printed Version Amazon - South Africa: Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg
1. Front
5.5” x 8.5”
(139.7 mm x 215.9mm)
Paperback Book
Cover Template
5.5” X 8.5” Book
(139.7mm X 215.9mm)
White Paper
0.77” Spine Width
(19.448mm)
South Africa
Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg
With GPS Tracks,
Planning Tools
and Hiking Maps
Katz & Maassen
Planning Tools GPS data Website ImagesMaps Tutorials
3. Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa | 3
Hard Copy Edition
Graphic Design
ISBN-13
ISBN-10
Website
Email
Cover Image
Printed by
Published by Wandel Guides, October 2017
Martin Smit, info@pinkdot.nl
978-1973873891
1973873893
https://hiking-in-south-africa.com
wandelguides@gmail.com
On the trail at Somabula Nature Reserve,
by Katz & Maassen
CreateSpace, an Amazon.com Company
Katz & Maassen
South Africa
Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg
Hiking in South Africa
4. 4 | Katz & Maassen
Acknowledgments
Kranskloof Hiking Trails
We are grateful to our graphic designer Martin Smit
for his outstanding work creating the layout of this
book and producing the hiking maps. We are also
thankful to the members of the editorial board for
proofreading and critiquing drafts of the guidebook:
Mike and Terri Scadron, JoAnn Bordeaux, Judy
Macaluso, Thomas Carson, Andrea Conrad, Fran
Paver, Dan Pelletier, Paulette Fried, Prof. Bill Kosar,
Jane Mahoney and Chris Lehmann.
A special thanks goes out to Michael Green and
other board members of the Day Hiking Club for
allowing us to explore many hiking destinations in
the company of outstanding people.
We would like to thank Brian McCotter, Susan Smith,
Queen Mohale and Penny Ndlela for joining us on
numerous hiking trails.
We would also like to thank you, the users of this
book. By purchasing this book, you not only make
it possible for us to develop more hiking guides, but
more importantly, by hiking in South Africa, explor-
ing its beauty and interacting with its communities,
you substantially contribute to the sustainable devel-
opment of the country.
Janet Katz and Gregory Maassen
wandelguides@gmail.com
5. 8 | Katz & Maassen
Preface
South Africa is one of the world’s great hiking
destinations. As a former captain for South African
Airways who flew jetliners for nearly 30 years, I have
had the privilege of seeing my country from the sky
in every possible way. Looking through my cockpit
window, the majestic Magaliesberg Mountain Range
and the lakes near Pretoria and Johannesburg always
welcomed me home after a long journey abroad, while
also bidding me farewell as I departed for distant
lands.
The country’s unique diversity and unparalleled
natural beauty are major reasons why millions of
tourists venture to my country every year. While
many visitors come to see the Kruger National Park,
Cape Town, and the Garden Route, more and more
visitors are realizing that visiting Pretoria and/or
Johannesburg is an exciting opportunity to experi-
ence the heart of South Africa through its incredible
hiking trails, game walks, and adventure tourism.
South Africa: Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and
Johannesburg is an invaluable resource for those
who would like to explore and learn more about South
Africa’s rich history, cultural diversity, and outstand-
ing flora and fauna. With over 120 trails in 56 nature
reserves and national parks, this book is an essential
hiking guide to unlocking the potential of Gauteng,
the province home to Pretoria, Johannesburg, and
the many of the region’s most picturesque towns and
cities.
Northern Farm
6. Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa | 9
Full of up-to-date trail maps, hiking guidelines, and
discerning information about nearby monuments and
historic sites, this guide offers you access to a wide
variety of nature and wildlife hikes. Ranging from
short walks with giraffes and wildebeests across
grassy plains to more strenuous, rugged hikes into
the mountains, this guide captures some of the best
trekking South Africa has to offer.
I invite you to please join my fellow hikers and me
on a journey you will never forget.
A warm welcome to South Africa and happy trails!
Michael Green,
Chairman, Day Hiking Group, Johannesburg.
7. 16 | Katz & Maassen
Introduction | 01
are not included in this edition of the guide as the
open-access trails are equally stunning and so much
easier to explore independently.
Included in the guide are hikes and walks that:
• Are in fenced-off areas with a good security
reputation;
• Have access control;
• Do not require an overnight stay in a reserve;
• Are in reserves and farms that welcome day
visitors;
• Do not require a hiking club membership;
• Can be visited without an invitation of a club
member;
• Do not have predators roaming around within the
hiking areas;
• Can be reached by car;
• Are within a 2-hour drive from the center of
Pretoria and/or Johannesburg; and
• Do not require complicated permits.
As several trails are on private grounds and access
is controlled, you may need to call or email ahead
of time to apprise park management of your hiking
intentions.
We classify the trails in the guidebook either as a
wildlife or nature hike/walk. A trail can be easy,
moderately difficult or best suited for advanced
hikers.
Wildlife Hikes/Walks: The wildlife hikes and walks
in the guidebook are in reserves where you may see
zebras, antelopes, ostriches and wildebeests from the
hiking trail. Some reserves have giraffes. Although
not all reserves have all these species in stock, we
classify a trail as a wildlife hike/walk if we know
wildlife is in the reserve, although wildlife viewings
are not guaranteed.
The Wildlife Hiking
Trails and Nature
Walks
8. Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa | 17
| Introduction 01
Nature Walks: A trail described as a nature walk
in this guide, means you may see small mammals,
warthogs and monkeys on a good day.
Easy: These trails are appropriate for the novice hiker.
They are usually short and easy to follow along a
track or road with an abundance of trail signs and rest
stops. Grades are gentle and relatively few obstacles
will be encountered. If you can shop for one to two
hours in a shopping mall, you should physically be
able to enjoy these trails. Most trails in this guide-
book are classified as easy.
Moderate: These trails are appropriate for interme-
diate through advanced hikers. The terrain is steeper
and/or the trail is relatively long with fewer rest stops.
You need to be able to walk 6 to 10 kilometers or more
to enjoy these trails, even when they are shorter as
you may be in steep terrain.
Advanced: These trails are recommended for experi-
enced hikers only. Terrain may be difficult and steep,
and routes are not always obvious. You should be
able to navigate and must be self-reliant. You need
to be in good shape physically and be well-prepared.
Going for the first time to the gym a few days prior to
the hike after months of being a couch potato, in the
hope you can easily hike these trails, may not do the
trick. Most advanced trails are in the Magaliesberg
Mountain Range. These are often short, but in steep
and difficult terrain. Combined with serious altitude
differences, they are rewarding, but hard work, even
for the physically fit.
Remember: It is a sign of courage and wisdom to
return to base if the experience of hiking becomes
unpleasant and exhausting. Call it a day and return
to the car with someone to relax while others finalize
the trail. Hiking is not a rat race. Follow your own
tempo, enjoy the scenery and nature. There is no
reason to hike beyond your capabilities.
10. Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa | 19
| Introduction 01
Pretoria
2
3
4
5
6
7
89
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
18
20
19
21
22
43
47
50
54
1
3
4
17
12
Johannesburg
eMalahleni
11. Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa | 21
| Introduction 01
hectares of mainly open grassland, is a fine example
of a reserve with a five-zebra wildlife viewing rating
as hikers are almost guaranteed to encounter giraffes,
large herds of wildebeest, zebra and buck. Other large
reserves, with a low wildlife density per hectare, may
present a challenge to hikers to spot wildlife.
You increase the likelihood of seeing wildlife from
the trail by following a few basic principles:
• Select trails from the guidebook with high wild-
life viewing potential;
• When you walk, stop frequently and look around
through the bush. If you look at the bush, you will
see only the bush and not wildlife;
• Look through the bush and scan the area as far
as your eyes let you. Wildlife often has smelled,
heard or seen you before you are aware of their
presence and tend to keep their distance;
• Look for unusual colors, forms and shapes in the
bush;
• The wind direction determines whether wildlife
smells you. If the wind blows in your direction
away from wildlife, the viewing distance can be
shorter;
• Wildlife is normally less afraid of cars and quad
bikes than hikers. If you want to be very close
to wildlife, consider adding a game drive to the
day’s itinerary. Wildlife tends to keep a larger
distance from human beings as it may mistake
hikers for a predator;
• Listen for calling signs from birds, monkeys and
other wildlife as this often indicates that you have
been spotted and wildlife is around;
• Ask the park rangers where they have seen wild-
life on the day you hike; and
• Bring binoculars on the trail.
Sometimes, reserves and parks offer visitors the
possibility to pet wildlife and even walk with lions.
As we believe that lions and other carnivores are not
pets, we refrain from participating in these activities.
The lion cubs, once they have grown up with humans,
Walking with Lions:
What You Should Know
12. 24 | Katz & Maassen
Introduction | 01
have a very low success rate of surviving in the wild
and they may end up in the hands of trophy hunters
in hunting farms after 6 months of age when they
become too dangerous to handle.
This practice is called canned or captive-bred hunting
which, according to the WWF and other organiza-
tions, provides no conservation benefit.
For more information: www.wwf.panda.org, www.
wwf.org.za
All trails in this guidebook are on private or public
land that is fenced-off with security and access
control. We have only included trails and walks in
areas with good security and where we and our South
African friends feel safe and protected.
Visitors to South Africa are made welcome and
assistance is always forthcoming when requested.
Based on our own experience traveling extensively in
South Africa for several years, the danger of violence
toward tourists is low. The greatest risks you are to
encounter are related to traffic accidents and petty
crime, especially during Christmas and New Year
when opportunistic crime peaks in South Africa.
Being prepared, knowing where to go, using common
sense and by hiking in groups, precautions you should
always take no matter where you are in the world,
should keep you as safe as we have been.
The hiking trails included in this guide are popular
with the locals who would not be on the trail if it were
not safe, as most South Africans are very conscious
of their safety. The hiking industry is growing in
significance in South Africa and is an important
source of income for local tourism operators. They
have well-established interests in keeping you happy
and safe on the trail as word quickly spreads through
social media if things go wrong.
Hiking Safety
13. Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa | 29
| Introduction 01
As with all wildlife, please do not touch, pet or dis-
turb it, and observe animals from a safe distance.
Take pictures avoiding flash photography and do not
collect skulls, horns and bones. If you want to eat
game, do so only in restaurants as we do not want
you to end up in jail and on the cover of a newspaper
for poaching and consuming protected wildlife.
We also strongly recommend that you refrain from
buying any products that include wildlife artifacts,
especially at the airports, including ivory, hides and
other bio materials. Stick to ostrich leather bags from
a licensed and genuine production farm if you happen
to also visit the Garden Route and Oudtshoorn, the
country’s ostrich epicenter.
Travel Advisories: Before traveling, we recommend
that you check with your embassy or ministry of
foreign affairs to educate yourself about the latest
travel advisories for South Africa. Many countries
have a “Smart Traveler Enrollment Program”, where
you register your trip plans and receive important
safety and security announcements.
In addition, always consult your physician before em-
barking on your hiking holiday. It is better to be safe
than sorry as you may not be aware of a condition that
may make hiking unsafe (e.g., certain medication).
Hiking in South Africa Checklist
Drink plenty of water
before, during and after
your hike
Hiking poles
Bring plenty of water on
the trail in a CamelBak™
or similar system
Sturdy hiking boots
with good ankle
support
Protect yourself from
the sun with clothing, a
hat, scarf and sunscreen
Cell phone with essen-
tial telephone numbers
and local SIM card
First aid kit
A GPS with our E-trails
pre-loaded
Space blanket Spare batteries for GPS
Flashlight and
headlamp
A copy of this guidebook
Hiking in South Africa
Checklist
14. 30 | Katz & Maassen
Introduction | 01
Hiking in South Africa Checklist
Spare batteries for
lights
Food
Whistle
Extra socks and shoes
(in the car)
Lighter and/or matches
Toilet paper and hand
disinfectant
Mirror/compass with
mirror
Park management
contact information
Pocket knife Pen and paper
When hiking, we recommend that you:
1. Prepare. Hike at home and practice, keep fit
and know your limitations before traveling to
South Africa. Carefully choose and be familiar
with your equipment and learn first aid. Before a
hike, investigate the terrain, conditions and local
weather.
2. Leave your plans with someone. It is always a
good idea that you tell someone where you are
going, when you’ll return and leave details of
your vehicle, phone numbers and group size and
composition.
3. Stay together. When you start as a group, hike
as a group and end as a group. Pace your hike to
the slowest person.
4. Turn back when it is wise to do so. Fatigue and
difficult terrain may slow you down. Don’t blindly
persevere; stop and reassess your plans.
5. Know how to handle an emergency. Even if you
are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe
weather or a wrong turn can be life threatening.
Although it is unlikely that emergency services
cannot reach you in South Africa, know how to
rescue yourself.
A variety of resources and planning tools that ac-
company the guidebook are available at the Hiking in
South Africa website (www.hiking-in-south-africa.
com).
Safety Summary
Online Resources
16. 35
| Bishop Bird Nature AreaTrail 01
Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa |
Roosmaryn Place, side street off Theuns Van Niekerk Street, Centurion, Pretoria
S25° 52.646 E28° 08.573
www.tshwane.gov.za
The location can be visited without prior notice
17. 36 | Katz & Maassen
Pretoria | 02
Birdwatching tower on the trail.
birdwatchers’ destination than a hikers’ paradise and
there is no real need to follow the trail to enjoy this
bird sanctuary.
You can add more distance to the trail by walking
along the perimeter trail. The GPS trail collection
includes a waypoint to the birdwatching tower.
Roosmaryn Place, side street off Theuns Van Niekerk
Street, Centurion, Pretoria.
Location
18. 38 | Katz & Maassen
Pretoria | 02
Red hartebeests (Alcelaphus buselaphus) with their characteristic long and narrow head
roam freely in the Faerie Glen Nature Reserve and can be spotted from the trail on a good
day. They can weigh up to 150 kg and have a height of 1.3 meters. Both sexes have heavily
ridged horns.
20. 154 | Katz & Maassen
Northern Magaliesberg Mountain Range | 04
To enter the gorge, hikers descend on several ladders that lead to the stream and water
pools.
21. 182 | Katz & Maassen
Northern Magaliesberg Mountain Range | 04
A view of the Hartbeespoort Dam from the top of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range.
23. 185Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa |
Northern Magaliesberg Mountain Range
Silkaatsnek Nature
Reserve
Trail
30
Walk to the top of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range
in a privately-held reserve for spectacular views of
the Hartbeespoort Dam (lake) and enjoy a ride into
the valley 350 meters down below with the cable car
The hiking trails are situated in the private
Silkaatsnek Nature Reserve that lies on the slopes of
the Magaliesberg Mountain Range. The 300-hectare
reserve is home to giraffes, zebras, impalas, nyalas,
kudus, blue wildebeests, and ostriches, among other
species.
As part of its eco-strategy, management organizes
guided walks within the game reserve and to the top
of the Magaliesberg. The reserve is well-stocked
and close friendly encounters with wildlife on the
hiking trail are common. If you walk to the top of
the mountain to the cable car, a shuttle will bring you
back to the reserve. The cost of the park ranger, cable
car and shuttle are included in the price of the hike.
The trail starts from the entrance and wanders
through bushland where game can be seen. After
some 35 minutes in flat terrain, the trail meanders
through bush vegetation on the slopes of the mountain
range zigzagging to the top. Although the incline of
the trail does not appear steep, walking this trail is
still hard work as you navigate an altitude difference
of 350 meters. The views are worth it. Once at the top,
you can relax and drink a cup of tea or eat a snack.
The cable car will bring you down to the valley and
30-1
Safari and Cable Car
Trail
Wildlife Hike
ADVA
NCED
6.4
km mi
4.0
24. 186 | Katz & Maassen
Northern Magaliesberg Mountain Range | 04
See hike description for additional location information
S25° 41.713 E27° 53.203
www.silkaatsnek.co.za
Please book online to make a reservation (also for day hiking)
25. 187
| Silkaatsnek Nature Reserve Trail 30
Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa |
a shuttle bus takes you back to the reserve. As you
walk under the guidance of a park ranger, this trail is
one of the few in the Magaliesberg Mountain Range
in the advanced category that is suitable to older kids
as our experience suggests that they certainly have
the skill and energy to complete the trail.
This is an easy walk in flat terrain starting from the
entrance. As the reserve is well-stocked, it is likely
that hikers see game. We had spectacular encoun-
ters with wildebeests and giraffes. It is great to see
these animals on the web and in books, but standing
face-to-face in nature is certainly a life-changing ex-
perience. The park ranger will lead you to where most
animals are, so no particular route may be followed.
The Silkaatsnek Nature Reserve is the only place in
Hartbeespoort and surroundings where you can view
wildlife during a horseback safari. All levels of horse
riding experience are welcome.
R511, Silkaatsnek Nature Reserve, Hartbeespoort
Dam, North West Province.
Self-catering house.
Please contact management to make a reservation
(also for day hiking). For more information:
www.silkaatsnek.co.za
30-2
Safari Trail
Wildlife Hike
EASY 6.4
km mi
4.0
Horseback Safaris
Location
Accommodation
Access
26. 188 | Katz & Maassen
Northern Magaliesberg Mountain Range | 04
A view from the cableway station on top of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range near the
Hartbeespoort Dam (lake) at the end of the trail. The elevation difference is 350 meters and
it takes five minutes to reach the valley from the lookout point.
27. 189
| Silkaatsnek Nature Reserve Trail 30
Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa |
30. Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa | 325
| Legal Notice 08
requirements for the accuracy and suitability of the
hiking guide including the information provided
therein.
By using this guide, you agree that any action brought
by you will be brought within the Kingdom of the
Netherlands and that you agree to adhere to the ex-
clusive jurisdiction of the Dutch courts. You further
agree that the laws in force in the said Kingdom of
the Netherlands shall govern this agreement.
Please acknowledge sponsors, copyright holders
and authors if you use their work. You cannot sell
any of the materials in this hiking guide or use them
for any other commercial purpose unless otherwise
indicated.
All materials in this hiking guide have been included
with the permission of copyright holders and/or when
allowed under legislation. Please note that we retain
full copyright of the text in this hiking guide, the
cover design and GPS files. The hiking photos are
licensed under the CC BY-SA license. The relevant
licenses are displayed in this hiking guide. Any of
the above conditions can be waived if you obtain
permission from the copyright holder.
As with the contents of this hiking guide, the E-trails
are protected by copyright laws. Please refrain from
posting the GPS files on the Internet. This allows us
to maintain high quality standards while owners of
this hiking guide benefit from the E-trails and other
great resources that come with the hiking guide.
We take the protection of our copyright and licenses
very seriously. If you come across any illegal copies
of the hiking guide, in any form, on the Internet, in
South Africa or elsewhere, please provide us with
the location address or website name so that we can
pursue a remedy.
We appreciate your help in protecting our ability
to bring you valuable content combined with the
additional resources available through the website.
Copyrights
Piracy
31. 327Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg - South Africa |
About the Authors
Janet Katz
Gregory Maassen
Janet Katz is an international legal consultant who
has worked extensively overseas after a career
representing the U.S. government. She joins Gregory
overseas when they do not reside in Washington, DC.
Gregory Maassen, Ph.D., is a management profes-
sional who has implemented long-term economic
development programs throughout the world.
He was born in the Netherlands and is founding
owner of Wandel Guides.
33. Back
5.5” x 8.5”
(139.7 mm x 215.9mm)
Barcode
Location & Size
2” X 1.2”
Black Dotted Line = Trim Size
This is where your book will be cut to produce the final trim size.
Blue Dotted Line = Spine Fold
Fold placement may vary slightly.
White Area = Live Area
Position logos, text, and essential images in this area.
Red Area = Out of Live/Bleed
Your background artwork must fill the red area. Do not place logos, text, or essential images
in the red area. If your artwork does not meet these requirements, it may be rejected.
Plan your next holiday with South Africa:
Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg
With this detailed guide, you can save valuable time when planning your
hiking adventure in South Africa. For three years, the authors explored and
recorded 837 kilometers (523 miles) of astonishing hiking trails and walks
in amazing landscapes, encountering giraffes, zebras and rhinos, magnificent
valleys, and unique people and culture.
Most trails can be completed in 4-6 hours as day trips from Pretoria and
Johannesburg. The more than 120 hiking trails in this guidebook have been
grouped into the following geographic areas:
• Pretoria and surroundings;
• The Magaliesberg Mountain Range (northern and southern slopes); and
• Johannesburg and surroundings.
The book provides easy to understand custom-made hiking maps and trail
descriptions. Owners of the book can download carefully recorded E-trails
(1,136 waypoints) to maximize their time on the trail, exploring the hiking
grounds using GPS devices and GPS enabled smart phones and tablets.
Travelers will find South Africa: Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and
Johannesburg and its multimedia resources an invaluable “next generation”
resource guide to explore the region from a truly unique perspective.