Birds of the Magaliesberg 2023

Bergheim Hiking trail and Resort Bergheim is situated on the northern side of the Magaliesberg close to Rustenburg. This trail begins at the Bergheim Resort Camp (booking required) and hosts multiple options for ascending the mountains and finding the serene pools and waterfalls in Fern Kloof gorge.The gorge can be up to 50m wide and 100m deep and can be a welcome spot to relax, especially in summer.The route finding is difficult on the mountain.There are some cairns (rock piles) in some areas to help guide you, but there are many paths so it’s best to have a good idea of where you need to go before setting off.The terrain is also very rocky and requires scrambling over rocks so good fitness is needed. Information: 071 7771800 Castle Gorge and environs This day trail Situated in the Hekpoort area. It starts on the southern slopes of the Magaliesberg. This trail offers some of the most spectacular scenery and rock formation in the mountain hence the name.There is safe parking.WALKING BY PERMIT ONLY For Castle Gorge, email the Administrator of the Johannesburg Hiking Club admin@ jhbhiking.co.za. Further details can be obtained from their website. Several other trails in the region are controlled by the Mountain Club of South Africa and a permit is also required. For Tonquani/Cedarberg and for Mhlabatini Kloof, email the Administrator of the Mountain Club of SA, Johannesburg Section, at admin@jhb.mcsa.org.za. Further details can be obtained from their website. For Grootkloof and Dome Pools, email the Administrator of the Mountain Club of SA, Magaliesberg Section, at admin@mag.mcsa.org.za Further details can be obtained from the website. All the above are over rough terrain through spectacular mountain scenery. An alternative route across the mountain is via the Buffelspoort dam and over Breedtsnek Pass (very poor condition) down into the Nooitgedacht, Scheerpoort areas where there is magnificent scenery. Nooitgedacht has the second largest Cape Vulture colony with over 100 breeding pairs of the birds.The colony is on private land not open to the public This area has a number of lodges/private nature reserves where one can base oneself and explore this part of the Mountain. Accommodation Mountain Sanctuary Park

Grotto pool at the Mountain Sanctuary Park

Buffelspoort dam in the distance

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