Free: All time
Melville Koppies Nature Reserve is the last remaining Johannesburg’s natural ridges, conserved as it was before the discovery of gold in 1886. It’s located 5km away from central Johannesburg, near the suburb of Melville. The Melville Koppies’ geology dates back to 3 billion years. It covers about 150 hectares across the wild, rocky koppies full of indigenous flora and fauna. Entry to the nature park is free and it is a great spot for hiking. Guided tours are also offered (see schedules on the official site; not free). In the reserve, evidence of stone tools from the early stone age can be found and are estimated to be 500,000 years old. On the northern slopes, visitors can see what was left over by the Iron Age immigrants from 1,000 years ago: the remains of their kraal walls and two iron smelting furnaces. While in the area, consider visiting the nearby Johannesburg Botanical Garden.
Address: Judith Rd, Emmarentia 2195
Opening hours: First & third Sunday of the month 8:30am – 11:30am; Second and last Sunday of the month 3pm – 5pm
Phone: +27 11 482 4797
Website: www.mk.org.za
Photo credit: Suds344 (Flickr CC), Darren Smith (Flickr CC)
