Pretoria: Temporary closure of Rietvlei Nature Reserve due to disruptive rains!

The City of Tshwane has announced the temporary closure of Rietvlei Nature Reserve due to flooding caused by persistent rainfall over the past few days. Roads within the reserve have become impassable, and most bridges are submerged, posing significant risks to vehicles and visitors.

Rietvlei Nature Reserve, located about 18 km southeast of Pretoria’s city center, encompasses the Rietvlei Dam and spans approximately 40 km². It is home to around 1,600 large mammals, including white rhinos, cheetahs, buffalo, hippos, zebras, and various antelope species such as eland, blesbok, and waterbuck. The reserve is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 400 recorded bird species, including the African fish eagle, secretarybird, and numerous cisticolas and larks.