Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Pretoria, South Africa, was established by President Paul Kruger in 1895 as Africa’s first wildlife sanctuary. It is home to native species and offers hiking, wildlife observation, camping, and outdoor activities. The park was established to protect African species from hunters and has reintroduced many native species over the years. The park offers hiking trails, night hikes, and group campsites, and visitors can travel by motorcycle, off-road vehicle, horse, or car.
Groenkloof Nature Reserve is located in Pretoria, South Africa. On February 25, 1895, President Paul Kruger established Groenkloof Nature Reserve as Africa’s first wildlife sanctuary. It is home to many native species, including oribi, blue wildebeest, impala and ostrich. Guests of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve can hike, observe wildlife, ride bicycles, ride horses and camp. Outdoor cooking is possible for those who bring their own fuel, but the park also has a restaurant for those who prefer a meal to be served.
The stretch of land now protected as the Groenkloof Nature Reserve is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the center of Pretoria, South Africa. It is also close to Fountains Valley Resort, another popular South African nature park. Since 1994, Tishwane city officials have managed Africa’s oldest wildlife sanctuary.
Most people believe that President Kruger established the park to protect many native African species from hunters in the late 19th century. Oribi, a type of antelope, were able to thrive there. Other native species have been reintroduced to the area over the years. Ostriches, impalas, blue wildebeests and kudus were reintroduced to the Groenkloof Nature Reserve lands in 1999. Red hartebeest and giraffes were reintroduced to the area in 1999 and sable antelope populations were increased in 2002.
The first people known to have settled in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve area were Zulu people following the military commander Mzilikazi in the 1820s. These people established settlements nearby. In 1910, 15 years after President Kruger designated this area as the first official wildlife reserve on the entire African continent, plantations were built in parts of the land. These plantations were intended to produce wood for paper. The City of Pretoria took over the administration of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in 1950, although the park is now the responsibility of the City of Tishwane.
The park offers plenty of hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. There are hiking trails available for all skill levels, and hikes can range from two to four hours in length. Night hikes are also permitted, and group campsites can accommodate up to sixty people. For those who wish to travel the park with one of these vehicles, there are routes for motorcycles, off-road vehicles, horses and cars.
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