Covid-19 gives more choices to the Melville Koppies visitor
Melville Koppies is open every Sunday, with the exception of May 2 when the Koppies will be open on May 1 from 8am to 11.30am. Mid-week tours can be arranged.
A year into lockdown, Covid-19 has brought with it some unexpected benefits to the visitor to the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and Heritage Site.
Before lockdown a year ago, the Koppies didn’t offer the visitor choices. Depending on which Sunday you arrived, you either had to take part in a two and a half-hour guided tour or a two and a half hour 8.5km hike.
Now because of social distancing requirements, you have to guide yourself. And there’s a wealth of choices, such as the new 5km hike that is proving very popular.
There’s now a bird list for the Koppies developed by keen bird atlaser Anthony Paton and they’ve developed a heritage trail that guides you around key points which highlight the Koppies’ rich history.
More varied trails are in the pipeline. With security on the Koppies provided you can even explore on your own. And if you can’t do everything in one visit, come back another time. The numbers of repeat visitors are climbing.
Melville Koppies is open every Sunday, except May 2 when the Koppies will be open on May 1 from 8am to 11.30am. Mid-week tours can be arranged.
No need to pre-book. Cost is R80 for adults and R40 for children. All income used for maintenance and security of the Koppies totals R22 000 per month.
Security on the Koppies is provided and you can park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park in Judith Road, Emmarentia.
Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za or visit www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.
