African Wildlife & Environment Issue 79

DESTINATIONS

The Marievale hide Photograph: John Wesson

MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY

Marievale is situated six kilometres from the town of Nigel, just off the R42 Road to Delmas. One of the popular routes to use from Johannesburg is the N17 highway to Springs, exit onto Wit Road, and then turn south to Nigel on the M63.Take the R42 road out of Nigel in the direction of Delmas, after crossing over the Blesbokspruit, turn left off the R42 and a few hundred metres along this road is the entrance to the Marievale Bird Sanctuary. The coordinates are: 26 22’ 48.60” S, 28 30’ 28.11” E. This is the main entrance to the sanctuary and is also the administration centre, staff quarters, workshops and store. There are also two overnight chalets for hire. Other amenities which visitors enjoy are four hides from where to watch the birds, and a picnic area with braai facilities and toilets. Marievale is part of the Blesbokspruit Ramsar Site, situated at the southern end of the site and extends northward for approximately seven km, with a total area of approximately 1,000 hectares. This makes it approximately a third of the total

Less than one hour’s travel time by car from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle of Johannesburg – this is a vastly different environment, the Marievale Nature Reserve, better known as the Marievale Bird Sanctuary. Situated on a portion of a perennial river, the Blesbokspruit, the sanctuary was proclaimed in 1976 and has become a paradise for nature lovers and the birding community. Birdwatchers from all over South Africa spend hours on visits here, to enjoy the wide variety of birds in the wetland and the immediate grasslands.

Stan Madden

43 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 79 (2021)