The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Irene
Afrikaans name: Rietvlei Natuurreservaat
White Rhinos at Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Photo © Steven Herbert
Gauteng
Rietvlei Dam was built during the great depression of the early 1930's. The dam is fed by the Sesmyl Spruit and provides some of Pretoria's water supply.
The Rietvlei Nature Reserve was established after the dam and was only opened to the general public in 1948. It is 3800 hectares in extent.
The main habitat in the reserve is typical Highveld grassland with clumps of trees here and there. Numerous exotic trees are in the process of being removed.
The Southern Black Korhaan is common in the grassland areas
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Rietvlei Nature Reserve offers good birding and game viewing. The reserve is home to a wide varity of mammals and birds. Mammals to look for include Eland, Cape Buffalo, White Rhino, Springbok and Red Hartebeest. At times the reserve is home to Cheetahs but this is part of a breeding program and they are taken away if they are having a negative impact on the numbers of antelope.
Rietvlei has been divided into two separate sections. The main portion is the reserve while the other portion caters for boating and angling. Although there is a yacht club no motorboats are allowed on the dam.
The Rietvlei Coffee Shop is a very popular stopping point in the reserve where one can get light meals and other refreshments. It is also a great place to have a braai. There are a number of braai facilities along Marais Dam which is an incredibly popular place during lunch times on weekends! While at Marais Dam spend some time at Hippo View hide. Not only might you see Hippos but you should see some very large Barbel as well!
Dawn at the Rietvlei Dam
Photo © Johan van Zyl
The coffee shop is a popular stopping point
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Some of the mammals of Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Some of the birds of Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Cape Spurfowl
Fulvous Duck
Cape Teal
Hottentot Teal
Southern Pochard
Alpine Swift
African Black Swift
White-rumped Swift
Fiery-necked Nightjar
Rock Dove
African Purple Swamphen
African Snipe
Marsh Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Sanderling
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper
Ruff
Greater Painted-snipe
Water Thick-knee
Black-winged Stilt
Common Ringed Plover
Kittlitz's Plover
White-fronted Plover
Grey-headed Gull
Hartlaub's Gull
Caspian Tern
Sandwich Tern
Common Tern
White-winged Tern
Rock Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Great Crested Grebe
Yellow-billed Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Little Bittern
Lesser Flamingo
Great White Pelican
Sand Martin
Pearl-breasted Swallow
Greater Striped Swallow
Little Rush-Warbler
African Reed-Warbler
Lesser Swamp-Warbler
Willow Warbler
Grey-backed Cisticola
Zitting Cisticola
Karoo Prinia
Bar-throated Apalis
Red-capped Lark
Karoo Scrub-Robin
Common Starling
Malachite Sunbird
Southern Double-collared Sunbird
Cape Weaver
Yellow Bishop
Cape Canary
Yellow Canary
White-throated Canary
References and further reading
Insiders Guide - Top Wildlife Photography Spots in South Africa - Author: Shem Compion - Published: 2010 - Page: 73The Chamberlain Guide to Birding Gauteng - Author: Etienne Marais and Faansie Peacock - Published: 2008 - Page: 80
The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 61
Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 114
Country Life - Issue 166 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 21
Birding Hotspots - Author: Trevor Hardaker - Published: 2007 - Page: 25
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 112
Destination Irene - Rietvlei
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