Map of the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve

The overnight hiking route spans most of the reserve. Hikers start their chosen trek from the reception desk at the information centre where permits are issued and a key given for the overnight huts. It should be remembered that there is almost 5km to walk to the closest hut so daylight hours need to be taken into account in order to arrive a your first hut before nightfall.

Blesbok is one of the closest huts to the Diepkloof starting point and so is popular with hikers. All the huts are similarly designed and laid out, with beds and mattresses, hot showers and chemical toilets. Undercover braai facilities are provided. The huts are all situated in secluded areas. Water must be used sparingly as it has to be pumped to a tank at the hut from a tractor pulled water tanker.

Electricity for lighting and hot water is solar powered.

The variety of landscapes is quite remarkable, varying from craggy rock formations to grassy plains and wooded kloofs.

Both Duiker and Hartebees Huts provide a challenge for the fit hikers to do in a day from or to Diepkloof. In fact if one chooses to crisscross the reserve it is possible to hike for six days of fairly exacting hiking.

During a night in the reserve, the sounds of the bush can easily make one forget how close one is to the major metropolises of Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The flora in the reserve is surprisingly varied and include a large number of grass species. Trees include the White Stinkwood (Celtis africana), Highveld Cabbage Tree (Cussonia paniculata), Ouhout (Leucosidea sericea), Sweet Thorn (Acacia Karroo), Highveld Protea/Suikerbos (Protea caffra) after which the reserve is named and the Common Guarrie (Euclea undulata).

Wild flowers include the Agapanthus (Agapanthus campanulatus), Disseldoring (Berkeya seminivea), Wild Sweat Pea (Sphenostylis angustifolia), Orange River Lily (Crinum bulbispernum) and the Large Witchwood (Striga elegans)

The Geology of the region consists of two systems, the Ventersdorp and the Witwatersrand systems. The Ventersdorp system consists of Igneous rocks, called basalt formed millions of years ago after molten rock had congealed on or in the earth's crust.

The Witwatersrand system is mainly sedimentary sandstone deposited in horizontal layers. Proteas are mainly to be found in this system.

When planning your next hiking trip, why not give the Suikerbosrand a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.

The best time to hike hear is Spring and Autumn. Be prepared for extremes of weather whatever time of the year you do the hike.

Meditation Hut

This is a facility situated quite close to Sedaven Dam. It is not part of the hiking trail but a outpost that people can book when they want to have the feeling of isolation. The huts can be reached by way of the tourist route.

The  Meditation Hut is well equipped and has such luxuries as a refrigerator and stove. The beds have mosquito nets for use during the summer months when these little creatures can be a problem. Fortunately the Suikerbosrand is Malaria free.