Melville Koppies Nature Reserve in Johannesburg is one of the city’s most popular green spots, and for good reason. The reserve not only offers beautiful walking trails, fauna and flora to marvel over and enough space for social distancing, it also houses the remains of Late Stone Age and Iron Age kraals and relics.
‘Its geology goes back three billion years. Stone tools show that Early Stone Age man camped here as long as 500 000 years ago,’ the website states. ‘In 1963 an iron-smelting furnace was excavated and can be seen today.’
Here are five things to do at the reserve and Johannesburg Heritage Site, aside from hiking the magnificent trails.
1. Do some rock scrambling to the top ridges and enjoy panoramic views of the Magaliesberg mountains
2. Explore the 3-billion-year-old quartzite rock formations
3. Grab the binoculars and go on a birding and animal viewing expedition
4. Visit the archaeological remains of early Sotho/Tswana farmers, as well as the ancient iron-smelting furnace
5. Take the kids on a treasure hunt with the map handed out by the office
Dogs are welcome in the East section of the park.
The park is open to the public every Sunday from 8am to 11:30am (except for December 26 2021 and January 2022 )
Cost: R80 per adult and R40 per child for maintenance of the Koppies by the volunteer Committee.
Parking: Secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park Sports Club in Judith Road, Emmarentia.
Details: www.mk.org.za
Pictures: Wendy Carstens
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