Time-out on Melville Koppies

As a family or small groups of friends, they wander in from 8am, pay at the gate all masked up and raring to go, and are out by 11.30am.

Jenny Grice explained some are happy to just wander around the many paths, self-guiding themselves with the contour map, retracing their steps if they get a bit lost and stopping at the lecture hut to read the many information boards that talk about the history of the people who once lived there, the geology, the plants and animals that you find there. The restored furnace, protected under glass, and last fired in the mid-1800s, is just one of many bits of evidence demonstrating that the first farmers enjoyed this koppie from about the 1300s.

Melville Koppies guides are on hand should visitors want a bit more information or to have their questions answered. “We need to come here to connect with our past,” said Stan Bodibe, a recent visitor who came with his friend Tebogo Mafisa. Who were fascinated at the site of what is thought to be a camp of the first residents on the koppies – the hunter-gatherers. Stone tools like scrapers have been found on this spot that’s nestled against a slope that’s protected from the bitter southerly wind in winter. The camp has unfettered views north across what were once grass plains teeming with game.

For those who are more interested in birds, the cuckoos are back from their holidays in the north, calling incessantly in the hopes of finding a mate. There’s the ‘Piet-my-vrou’ call of the red-chested cuckoo and the Diederik cuckoo – Google its call. You are very likely to hear one and if you’ve got binoculars with you, try and spot it. Its emerald green and white feathers with red-eye will be worth your time.

Go there for your next adventure on 8, 15, 22, 29 November and pay just R80 for adults, R40 for scholars. You’ll find secure parking at Marks Park with security on Melville Koppies provided.