Birds of the Magaliesberg 2023

HOW TO GET THERE & CONTACT INFO Situated on R513, 20 km outside Pretoria North, direction Hartbeespoort Dam and Brits Elsanette Grobler 079 515 2744 Dr Pieter Snyman 0828827342 hoekie@vcsv.co.za Website GPS co-ordinates: S25 40.393; E27 58.008 DE WILDT ADVENTURE TRAILS De Wildt Adventure trails offers well marked hiking trails up the Magaliesberg escarpment, approaching from the ‘gentle’ side of the mountain as opposed to climbing up the cliff side. This offers a good workout without being too technical with great views from the top. There is a well-placed picnic site at the end, with super friendly staff where one can relax in the serenity of the Magaliesberg mountain and listen to some of the over 450 species of birds listed for the Biosphere.The trails are well marked with no litter. We recommend you wear a hat and take sufficient water. The routes are generally considered moderately challenging and can take up to 4 hours to complete. The area is popular area for birding, hiking, and trail running, so you’ll likely encounter other hikers while exploring the area. Dogs are welcome and may be off leash in some areas.

HOW TO GET THERE & CONTACT INFO Situated on road 78E off the R 513 Schietfontein reservations@dewildttrails.co.za

0827779326 082 4623627 MARGARET ROBERTS HERBAL CENTRE

The Herbal Centre is a unique and beautiful place created to teach people all about herbs. The Herbal Centre has carefully laid out paths for easy access to all areas: To the nursery, to the tea garden and potager garden, shop, lecture hall, chapel, labyrinth, apothecary, fairy gallery and of course the gardens. The great Herbal Centre garden is the pivot on which all else turns in which there are culinary, aromatic, international healing plants and Africa’s own indigenous healing plants, all laid out in traditional style.The manufacturing studio creates, processes and packages all the items that are available in the shop – a cottage industry in grown-up form. The range of products is fascinating – gourmet sections, toiletries, bath products, pot pourri’s, fragrant oils, creams and gift items – all made in the studio – are a shoppers delight and there is a special browsing section of books and charts. The exquisite angel exhibition – “Angels all around us”, the tiny non-denominational Chapel, and the 11th century copy of Chartre’s Cathedral Labyrinth invite moments of peace and reflection. The paved walks invite, we hope, inspiration and enjoyment of the plants; a showcase of the most unusual food and medicinal plants in South Africa. Ideal safe area for birding with plentiful water and wide variety of shrubs and trees that attract a large variety of birds found in the area. HOW TO GET THERE & CONTACT INFO Situated in the Hartbeespoort / De Wildt area on the way to Pretoria north off the R513, against the northern slopes of the Magaliesberg mountain. GPS co-ordinates: S25 41.325; E27 55.4.06 071 161 6441 012 001 4142 (mornings only) We are located against the mountain and therefore have bad cell phone reception. Please SMS if your call doesn’t reach us, we will gladly return your call. margaretroberts@lantic.net Open to the public Wednesdays and 1 st Saturday of every month (08:30 – 16:00). Please book for teas and lunches on: 071 161 6441 or 012 001 4142. We do take credit cards. PLEASE PRE-BOOK NOON LECTURES. We have an entrance fee of R20 per car, R5O per minibus, R100 per bus payable at the shop.

Margaret Roberts restaurant where conservation mornings are regularly held.

Page 92