Nature reserves reopened throughout Johannesburg

Despite the various City of Johannesburg nature reserves already having access control measures in place, local government saw fit to close them. This excluded Joburg Zoo, the Wilds Nature Reserve and the Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia which remained open.

Good news came on Monday, 18 January when Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) spokesperson, Jenny Moodley, confirmed that a few more nature reserves would be opening again with strict access control measures in place.

Roodepoort residents are now free to visit the Kloofendal Nature Reserve again. Melville Koppies is also open but visitors will only be permitted entry on a pre-booking basis. Other nature reserves that JCPZ deemed safe enough to open include the Beaulieu Bird Sanctuary and the nature reserves in Klipriviersberg, Northcliff, and Rietfontein.

The reserves will be open from 9am to 6pm daily with strict protocols in place, and no groups will be granted entry unless they are members of the same household. Any queries or concerns can be directed to Bishop Ngobeli through WhatsApp on 068 087 6382.

Even though nature reserves will be open, all City of Johannesburg parks will remain closed. “This is relative to most parks having no single-entry point to control access or monitor users,” stated MMC for Community Development, councillor Margaret Arnolds.

While a recent site visit to the Wilds impressed the Arnolds is urging residents to continue to observe the Covid-19 precautions. “The number of deaths is too real. As parents we need to safeguard our children. We need every resident to make these short-term sacrifices until we can all venture outside and continue with life, as we knew it,” she concluded.