Birding Spot
Whilst visiting Nigel, turn off on the Marievale Road extension to the Marievale Bird Sanctuary. It is a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of city living, lying on a large wetland roughly 10 km outside of town.
Around 3 500 types of birds are housed here, as well as 65 waterbird species. This makes the sanctuary a prime birding spot. It is known as the best place in Gauteng to spot rare birds such as the Goliath, squacco heron and purple heron.
Suikerbosrand Hiking Trail
The Suikerbosrand hiking trail near Nigel might not meet the requirements of one of the best trails in the country, but is worth the while either way. Its most obvious attraction is that it is close to the PWV industrial complex, and thus provides an easy hiking opportunity for Highveld workaholics. It is also the best-preserved example of the Highveld grassland habitat.
The trail is a 2 to 4-day hike, that starts at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and follows a route to Diepkloof. The trail length is variable, with huts being approximately 5 km to 12 km apart, but huts may be bypassed if desired Unless you intentionally plan things otherwise, this is an easy hike where game- and birdwatching can be pursued at ease.
For novice birdwatchers it is the trail on which to come to grips with the grassland habitat species, especially when the fantastic breeding displays of some species are apparent. Therefore, make sure you pack a bird guide and a pair of binoculars. A field guide to the lovely wildflowers of the Witwatersrand and Pretoria regions might also come in handy.
The Cape cobra and rinkhals are the only potentially dangerous snakes in the reserve, but paths are good and walking easy, so footwear is up to you. Hikers may compile any route between huts in the reserve (according to availability), as long as they don't spend more than one consecutive night in each hut. The 4 km Cheetah Interpretative Trail is extremely informative, and designed to give day visitors a deeper understanding of the area's natural and human history.
By David Bristow