Enjoyed hiking along the ridge that runs parallel to Hendrik Potgieter Drive in the Roodepoort area with the Tuesday group. Years ago when driving to Magaliesburg to collect Laura and Michael from school I would often look up at the ridge, never realizing that it was part of the Botanical Gardens and the home of a breeding pair of Black Eagles.
Entrance is free for pensioners on Tuesdays!
We hiked up to the top which probably took 45 minutes and then walked along the Roodekrans ridge in a northerly direction as far as the beacon.
The views eastwards back over the Krugersdorp highway, the extensive new housing developments and casino contrasted amazingly with the quartzite and protea bushes along the path.
We saw the adult pair of Black Eagles circling ahead - another "tick".
Their nest is close to the Witpoortjie Falls which are at the source of the Crocodile River. We walked back along the ridge and descended to view the nest. A photographer had just captured some photos of the single juvenile eagle on the nest with a huge camera set up on a tripod. The eagles are a well known attraction.
The descent alongside the waterfall was easy as steps have been built and there's a handrail. Stunning views of the waterfall from the bottom.
A lady working on a research project was recording every movement of the eagles and had a scope trained on the nest. We looked through but couldn't see the young eagle as it was lying below the level of the nest.
The more traditional garden area between the falls and the main gate is very natural with many indigenous plants.
And amazing memorial benches carved from trees.
Definitely worth a visit!
More info:
http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionsga/walter-sisulu-botanical-garden.htm
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Location:Krugersdorp
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