National park · South Africa
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Go for a half-day self-drive from Pretoria or between flights: enter at the R21 gate, drive the 40 km (25 mi) of roads at 30 km/h (19 mph), and be out by 17:00 in summer or 16:00 in winter. Skip it if you only have one full day in Johannesburg.Go for a half-day self-drive from Pretoria or between flights: enter at the R21 gate, drive the 40 km (25 mi) of roads at 30 km/h (19 mph), and be out by 5:00 PM in summer or 4:00 PM in winter. Skip it if you only have one full day in Johannesburg.Go for a half-day self-drive from Pretoria or between flights: enter at the R21 gate, drive the 25 mi (40 km) of roads at 19 mph (30 km/h), and be out by 17:00 in summer or 16:00 in winter. Skip it if you only have one full day in Johannesburg.Go for a half-day self-drive from Pretoria or between flights: enter at the R21 gate, drive the 25 mi (40 km) of roads at 19 mph (30 km/h), and be out by 5:00 PM in summer or 4:00 PM in winter. Skip it if you only have one full day in Johannesburg.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
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Area
38 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (38 km²)
approximate
Established
1948
Best months
Apr–Aug
UNESCO
None
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- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
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At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 38 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (38 km²)
- About 38 km² of grassland and wetland around the Rietvlei and Marais dams, with 40 km of public road (30 km tar, 10 km dirt).
- Established
- 1948
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Rietvlei is a compact grassland reserve owned by the City of Tshwane, sitting just off the R21 between Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport. It combines two dams (Rietvlei and Marais), a rare peat wetland, and an ancient lava flow with 40 km of public roads suitable for self-driving. While it lacks the Big Five density of Kruger, it offers reliable sightings of plains game like blesbok and black wildebeest, plus white rhino, often without the crowds found in larger parks. The reserve is primarily a day-use destination, though basic overnight hiking and camping options exist.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1948.
Size and age
38 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (38 km²) · national park since 1948
About 38 km² of grassland and wetland around the Rietvlei and Marais dams, with 40 km of public road (30 km tar, 10 km dirt).
Why go
- A grassland reserve 20–30 minutes from Pretoria and about 40 minutes from OR Tambo, so it fits a half day.
- 1,600 head of game on open plains: blesbok, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, Burchell's zebra, waterbuck, springbok and others are visible from a normal car.
- 272 recorded bird species and four hides, including one over the vlei that is often empty.
- A peat wetland, which is unusual in South Africa, plus an old homestead and a Boer War stone rampart.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot; afternoon thunderstorms
- FebHot; storms and hail
- MarWarm; grass still long
- AprMild, dry, clear roads
- MayDry; game on open ground
- JunCool and dry; good visibility
- JulCold mornings, dry days
- AugDry; short grass, easy sightings
- SepWarming; some migrants arrive
- OctGood birding; first storms
- NovBreeding birds; grass growing
- DecHot, busy, storm afternoons
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plains game: blesbok, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, zebra, waterbuck, springbok, steenbok, grey duikerAll year · Easiest to see in the dry winter months when the grass is short. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| White rhinoApr–Sep · Hard to spot in tall summer grass; use the dirt roads. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Migratory birdsOct–Mar · Summer brings migrants; the wetland hide is the best place to sit. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Resident waterbirds and raptorsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Pretoria (Centurion, Irene)
Drive the R21 south towards the airport, take exit 12 (M31 Nellmapius Drive, Irene), turn east and follow the brown reserve signs.
20–30 min
From OR Tambo International Airport
R21 north from the airport, exit 12, then follow the brown signs; a taxi or shuttle is the easy option with luggage.
35–50 min
From Johannesburg (Sandton)
N1 south then R21 north, exit 12.
50–70 min
From Country plan
Where this fits in a South Africa trip, and when to come.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife reserve area | The main self-drive circuit, four bird hides, the Marais dam picnic site with braai stands and toilets, and two rentable lapas. | Open to day visitors with an entry ticket. |
| Angling area | Fishing on the dams, plus the campsite and chalets. | Open with an extra angling-area permit. |
| Yacht Club area | Sailing club on Rietvlei dam; the only boats allowed on the water. | Club members and temporary members only. |
| Lion enclosure | A separately fenced area with lions, seen on a game drive booked from the coffee shop. | Guided game drive only. |
Sketch map
- 1Reserve entrance (R21 exit 12, M31) · Gate≈-25.887, 28.294Approximate; follow the brown reserve signs.Map ↗
- 2Marais dam picnic site · Sleep≈-25.901, 28.287Approximate; toilets, braai stands and running water.Map ↗
- 3Vlei Route bird hide · Viewpoint≈-25.895, 28.301Approximate; looks over the wetland.Map ↗
- 4Main Road bird hide (Rietvlei dam) · Viewpoint≈-25.888, 28.279Approximate; the first hide most visitors reach.Map ↗
- 5Angling area and campsite · Sleep≈-25.906, 28.276Approximate; separate permit needed.Map ↗
- 6Pretoria Sailing Club · Ranger station≈-25.893, 28.274Approximate; the only boats on the dam.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions inside the reserve, for orientation only; use the reserve map at the gate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day visitor entry (conservation fee) | ZAR 60–100 (≈ US$4–6) | person | 2026 estimate; confirm at the gate. |
| Day hiking trail (guided, 4 h) | ZAR 50 (≈ US$3) | person | Groups of 10–15; R250 minimum deposit. |
| Overnight hiking trail (21 km, two nights) | ZAR 150 (≈ US$9) | person | Groups of 6–8; R300 minimum deposit; basic rondavels, no electricity. |
| Night game drive (2 h, spotlight) | ZAR 135 (≈ US$8) | person | R500 minimum deposit; Fish Eagle Lapa use included. |
| Day horse ride | ZAR 120 (≈ US$7) | person | Groups of 6–10; R320 minimum deposit; horse, saddle and guide included. |
| Overnight horse ride (36 km, two nights) | ZAR 265 (≈ US$16) | person | Groups of 6–8; R795 minimum deposit; riding experience needed. |
| Angling permit | ZAR 40 (≈ US$3) | person | One-time permit for the angling area. |
| Camping (angling area) | ZAR 60 (≈ US$4) | person | Plus R25 per vehicle and a R20 angling-area permit; max 60 people a night. |
| Chalet (sleeps up to 6) | ZAR 750 (≈ US$45) | chalet | R650 refundable deposit and a R40 angling-area permit extra. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day visitor entry permit or guide
Guided hike, horse ride or night drive permit or guide
Angling permit or guide
Sailing on Rietvlei dam permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R 60–100≈ US$4–6
- R 50≈ US$3
- R 150≈ US$9
- R 135≈ US$8
- R 120≈ US$7
- R 265≈ US$16
- R 40≈ US$3
- R 60≈ US$4
- R 750≈ US$45
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on City of Tshwane — Rietvlei Nature Reserve before you go.
Park rules
- Stay in your vehicle
- Get out only at the picnic site, bird hides, lapas and campsite. Dangerous animals are on the reserve.
- No swimming
- The dams hold hippos and crocodiles; swimming is banned everywhere on the reserve.
- Speed limit
- 30 km/h (19 mph) on all reserve roads.19 mph (30 km/h) on all reserve roads.
- Do not feed animals
- No feeding wildlife at any point, including at picnic sites.
- Alcohol
- Allowed, but anyone intoxicated will be asked to leave.
- Boats
- Only Pretoria Sailing Club boats may use the dams; powerboats are banned because of the noise.
- Functions
- Lapa bookings must be made in advance; no loud music and everyone out by midnight.
Where to stay
In the park
Reserve campsite (angling area)
Basic but clean ablution blocks with electricity; maximum 60 people a night.
In the park
Reserve chalets (angling area)
Chalets sleeping up to six; refundable deposit and angling-area permit extra.
Near the park
Irene and Centurion guesthouses
10–20 minutes from the gate, with restaurants and shops.
Near the park
Pretoria hotels
30–40 minutes; the widest choice of rooms.
Safety
Wild animals near the road medium
Summer thunderstorms and lightning medium
Hippos and crocodiles at the water high
Crime at the car park low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The tarred circuit and the picnic site at Marais dam work for a normal car; the dirt roads are graded but rough after rain.
- Bird hides and picnic areas are close to parking, but the hides themselves are not all step-free; check the specific hide on arrival.
- Guided hikes and horse rides need reasonable fitness and are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the marked roads; driving onto grassland damages the peat wetland and nesting sites.
- Take all rubbish out — the reserve has few bins and animals raid them.
- Keep to 30 km/h (19 mph) to reduce dust, noise and the risk of hitting game.Keep to 19 mph (30 km/h) to reduce dust, noise and the risk of hitting game.
- Support the Friends of Rietvlei volunteers, who maintain hides and help with reserve work.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rietvlei Nature Reserve?
Day visitor entry is roughly R60–100 per person in 2026, with a possible small vehicle fee — treat both as a 2026 estimate and confirm at the gate. Guided hikes, horse rides, night drives, angling permits, camping and chalets are charged separately.
What are the best hikes in Rietvlei Nature Reserve?
There is no self-guided walking. The options are a guided four-hour day hike (groups of 10–15) and a guided 21 km overnight hike from Friday afternoon to Sunday (groups of 6–8), sleeping in basic rondavels with no electricity. Book by phone in advance.
When is the best time to visit Rietvlei Nature Reserve?
April to August: dry, mild days with short grass, so plains game and rhino are easier to see. October to March is better for birds but hot, with afternoon thunderstorms, long grass and more visitors.
Can I see the Big Five at Rietvlei?
No. The reserve has plains game such as blesbok, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland and zebra, plus white rhino. Lions are in a separately fenced area and are seen only on a booked game drive.
Do I need a car?
Yes. The reserve is a self-drive circuit of 30 km tar and 10 km dirt road at 30 km/h, with no shuttle or public transport inside. A normal car is fine in dry weather.
How long do I need at Rietvlei?
Two to four hours covers the main circuit and a hide or two. Add an hour for a picnic or braai at Marais dam, and half a day if you book a guided hike, horse ride or night drive.
Can I get there from OR Tambo between flights?
It is about 35–50 minutes by road from the airport, so a long layover works if you have five hours or more and your own transport or a booked shuttle. Check gate times: day visitors must leave by 17:00 in summer and 16:00 in winter.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go