Roodeplaatdam Nature Reserve (Southern Section)

This very popular 795 ha reserve consists of a mix of open savannah, grassveld, dense savannah woodland as well as the Roodeplaatdam. During a morning's birding you can expect to see a nice variety of water and terrestrial birds. About 80-100 species can be recorded in a few hours' birding.

You can drive through the reserve using a number of roads (most of them good enough for a sedan car) or you can walk the trail that runs through the reserve. The reserve has a number of well maintained and strategically well placed hides.

After entering through the gate turn left at the sign "Zeekoeigat". After about 2km you will reach the Zeekoeigat complex. Enter here and continue till you see the "Bird Hide" sign and follow the track to the bird hide. At the bird hide a nice variety of water birds can be seen namely Grey Heron, African Sacred Ibis, White-faced Duck, Glossy Ibis, African Darter, Green-backed Heron, Little Egret and occasionally Black Heron. Lesser Swamp-Warbler and Little Rush-Warbler can usually also be heard in the reeds next to the hide.

Returning to the main road you will soon pass some office buildings. It is always worth your while to stop here and scrutinize the trees and grass surrounding the offices for species such as Crimson-breasted Shrike, Fiscal Flycatcher, Speckled Pigeon and in recent years Burnt-necked Eremomela. Cape Penduline-Tit has also been recorded here – although irregularly.

Travel through the parking area next to the office buildings onto a gravel road that will take you to the second bird hide. From the offices to the hide is about 1.8km. At the hide look out for waders such as Three-banded Plover, African Jacana and Wood Sandpiper. Other species you might come across are Bearded Woodpecker, Pied Kingfisher, Black Heron, Acacia Pied Barbet and numerous bishops and weavers.

Go back to the main road and turn right. After a few hundred meters you will reach the turnoff to the picnic spot. The picnic spot is situated between large trees and as the picnic spot borders the dam a number of water birds can be seen including large numbers of Red-knobbed Coot, Little Grebe, White-breasted Cormorant, Reed Cormorant, Grey-headed Gull, White-winged Tern and Whiskered Tern. Black Cuckooshrike has been recorded in the trees next to the picnic spot. Always expect the unexpected as vagrant species, such as Black-headed Gull, have been recorded here in the past.

Go back to the main road and turn left. Scan the roadside and listen for the characteristic call of Coqui Francolin which sometimes feed on the edge of the road - right in the open. Continue to the T-junction and turn left at the gravel road, pass the Aqua Social club and continue on the gravel road but beware the road can sometimes be very wet and bumpy. Flycathcers, barbets, woodpeckers, nightjars and many other birds can be seen here.

Directions

GPS Co-ordinates
Lat: 25° 38' 59'' S
Lon: 28° 21' 48'' E

Take the R21 from Johannesburg to Pretoria and turn off onto the N1-North to Polokwane shortly before you reach Pretoria. Continue a few kilometers and take the Zambesi off-ramp from the N1 and turn right. Continue on the Cullinan R513 for about 5.5km and take the Kameelfontein turnoff to the left. After 3.6km you will get a board "Roodeplaat Reserve" - turn left and continue on this road for a few hundred meters to the entrance of the reserve.

Additional Information

Facilities

The reserve has a number of bird hides, a picnic site with ablution facilities, a hiking trail, chalet accommodation and conference facilities.

Apart from birds there are also a number of mammal species including Burchell's Zebra, Kudu, Waterbuck, Warthog and Impala.

A nominal entrance fee is payable.

The gates are open from 06:00-18:00.

Contact number: +27 (0)12 808 5131 / 5174 / 5624.