Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
4.5
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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4.5
759 reviews
Excellent
315
Very good
347
Average
78
Poor
10
Terrible
9
Wikus M
Port Edward, South Africa20 contributions
June 2023 • Family
What a pleasant surprise. We went as family for a picnic and game drive. The roads are well marked and the picnic area is neat and clean. The restrooms at the picnic spot could be better but other than that I cannot fault the reserve. The cheetahs gave us a spectacular show with them just lying next to the road and we could probably get within 20meters from them.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bydisee
Pretoria, South Africa44 contributions
Jan 2023
Peace and quiet on the outskirts of Pretoria. The self-drive option is inexpensive and includes several bird hides, lookouts, picnic spots and even a coffee shop, which we haven’t visited yet. The diversity of wildlife is amazing and you can take pictures of buffalo, rhino, zebra and many more at close range. Definitely worth a visit, especially at sunset.
Written 6 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trail46436625730
1 contribution
July 2024 • Family
We arrived at 3:40pm on the 6th of July 2024 and managed to see a-lot of the animals advertised on the boards. It was incredible and beautiful. There are roads that are blocked off in the reserve which are shortcuts to the main gate so i would not suggest going after 4pm as we got lost at 5:30pm on our way out and was blocked off by a heard of buffalos on our way out making us go around the whole reserve again and leaving at 6:37pm. The only reason for the 4 stars, the 2 night shift guards at the exit did not want us to exit and forced us to bribe them R300 to exit (which we refused!), luckily for the ranger we were able to exit. Beautiful scenery.
Written 7 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaarQ
Pretoria, South Africa42 contributions
Dec 2019
A magical experience to have a close encounter with nature on your doorstep. Definitely one of Pretoria's best kept secrets. We were lucky to find ourselves in a buffalo traffic jam. You do have to overlook power-lines and housing estates but it is not difficult to rather focus on the Gauteng cloud displays. The old farmstead is being used as a coffee shop. It is beautiful under the huge oak trees but everything is a bit dilapidated and a tad sad. This could also be a true gem.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mobu E
13 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
This wildlife park near Pretoria provides a lovely drive even though it's not the biggest "safari". There will be a lot of animals visible (although I haven't seen the rhinos yet). When you need a pleasant little break, there's a café inside, along with a few additional informational and observational stops.
Written 2 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Willem v
14 contributions
Oct 2021
Rietvlei is a true Gem! It is a wonderful way to escape the city living for a few hours in a pristine reserve that is very well managed with good roads. There are various antelope, buffalo, small mammals and loads of birds to be seen. We have always left the reserve feeling very happy and satisfied with what we saw and the experience we had. Highly recommend a trip to Rietvlei Nature Reserve.
Written 12 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaz_m03
Ireland199 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Suitable for the solo traveller, or groups. Sightings are excellent, with a good variety of wildlife. The coffee shop offers basic eats and drinks. Entrance fee is reasonable. The picnic/braai area is stunning - visited previously, and not on my most recent visit, as it is closed due to Covid19 regulations. Really a day well spent.
Written 22 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeneralShamu
New York City, NY1,174 contributions
Dec 2021
Spent a little over two hours driving through the reserve in the mid morning hours and was pleasantly surprised at just how many animals we were able to o see. We had assumed most would be hiding/sleeping come mid morning but that was not the case. There are dozens upon dozens of zebra and wildebeest to see (including some babies from both groups), ostriches, rhinos, springboks, kudu, etc…
Go on a nice sunny morning with the windows rolled down and you’ll love it. Not to be missed if in Pretoria/JNB!!!
Go on a nice sunny morning with the windows rolled down and you’ll love it. Not to be missed if in Pretoria/JNB!!!
Written 3 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albert
7 contributions
Nov 2022
Treated like a criminal, I have declared I have a handgun and I was told that I cannot enter the Reserve this after I have supported them for many years. I ask for a safe place where I can store the weapon but they had no facility for it. I find this to be pathetic as most other reserves offer a place of safe keeping.
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margritte B
The Netherlands5 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Small jewel in between Pretoria and Johannesburg. So if you don’t have time to drive all the waytonthe bigger parks this one’s offers several animals and very nice views. At the end of the day on our way out we encountered mamma Cheetah with cubs, amazing.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prisciĺla
Krugersdorp, South Africa
Do you have camping sites at Rietvlei please?
Written 11 March 2024
Good afternoon, we would like to picnic at the Dam on 25 December. Do we have to book, or can we just turn up early to find a good spot?
Written 10 December 2022
Trail34443784342
Pretoria, South Africa
Hoe much wil it cost me to go camping in a tent and fishing with 4 people for 2 days in rietvlei
Written 15 November 2022
Can we take your pet with in the vehicle for the game drive
Written 8 August 2020
Simoney
Pretoria, South Africa
How is the picnic spots around, is it clean and safe to use?
Is there any views when sitting and having a picnic?
Written 12 February 2020
The picnic spots are really nice. You can braai & picnic at the dam, and they also have a viewing deck there.
Written 14 February 2020
We are planning on visiting end Nov 2019. We will drive a hired VW minibus. Can I do the roads in this vehicle? What is the entry fee per person?
Written 30 August 2019
Hi yes there are tarred roads so the bus will be fine. The is R80 per adult(not 100%sure) and then R100 for the vehicle.
Written 23 September 2019
Hi,
Is it necessary to have a 4x4 type vehicle to visit Rietvlei?
Thank you. (I have a Honda Jazz)
Written 23 April 2019
For the most part we have done it in Honda balade so 4x2 is fine. of course the best 4x4 is a 4x2 rental car :-) so it should not be a problem.
Written 8 May 2019
Hi we would like to know the prices for the self catering chalets near the dam at Rietvlei Nature Reserve.
Written 3 January 2019
Hi. I looked googled Rietvlei Nature Reserve tariffs and it seems to cost R900 per night for the chalet and requires a R500 deposit. It might be best to contact them.
Regards,
Michelle
Written 7 January 2019
Entrance Fees from 1st July 2018 Adults 18 years and older R59.00 Children 7-17 years R32.00 Children 2-6 years R11.00 Infants to 2 years Free Pensioners 60 years and older R34.00 Disabled persons R34.00
Written 28 September 2018
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