Wonderboom Nature Reserve

The 200 ha Wonderboom Nature Reserve is situated to the north of Pretoria and straddles the Magaliesberg Mountains. It is famous for its magnificent specimen of Ficus salicifolia, a wild fig called the "Wonderboom" that is more than 1 000 years old. At the top of the Wonderboom Hill are the ruins of the Wonderboom Fort, one of four forts built by the former Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek at the end of the 19th century.

Habitat
Most of the reserve consists of broad-leaved woodland covering the rocky slopes with some open grasslands. At the bottom of the hill is a picnic spot with some lawns and large trees. The Apies River can also be accessed from the western-side of the reserve.

Birding
Birding is done by foot. There are a number of trails and making the effort to climb the hill can be especially rewarding birding wise. Some of the species that can be seen are Verreaux's Eagle, Rock Martin, Bar-throated Apalis, Fiscal Flycatcher, African Grey Hornbill, Spotted Thick-knee, Cape Glossy Starling, Southern Boubou, Black-backed Puffback, Neddicky, White-bellied Sunbird, White-throated Robin-chat and White-browed Scrub-robin to name a few. In summer a number of Cuckoo species can be heard or seen including Klaas's, Red-chested, Diderick and Black Cuckoo. If you are lucky you can see Striped Pipit at the top of the hill. Scan the fruiting trees for the beautiful African Green Pigeons.

About 50 species can be seen during a few hours birding.

Directions

GPS Co-ordinates
Lon: 25° 41' 10'' S
Lat: 28° 11' 28'' 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 left into Zambesi drive and continue for 8-9kms and turn left into Lavender. After a few 100 meters the road splits – keep to Lavender and watch for the reserve entrance on the left.

Additional Information

Facilities
There are a picnic spot, ablution facilities and a boardwalk under the massive wild fig.

The picnic spot can become crowded, especially over weekends.

Enquiries

Wonderboom Nature Reserve Gate: +27 (0)12 543 0918
Website: http://www.tshwane.gov.za/wonderboom.cfm

Gate times
07:00 to 18:00 (entrance to the reserve only until 16:00)

An entrance fee is payable.