Explore nature on the Koppies

The spring season is a great time to spend exploring the outdoors and experience what nature has to offer. The Melville Koppies Nature Reserve has some great activities in store for the warm season.

Chairperson of the reserve Wendy Carstens said that the reserve is a unique heritage site.

“The Melville Koppies Nature Reserve is beautiful every season, the public is always welcome to come explore the reserve with our trained tour guides,” she said.

The reserve offers hikes and guided tours where residents can explore what the Koppies has to offer at three different points. Melville Koppies Central is always locked and has controlled access only for people on organised hikes and tours.

Melville Koppies West and Melville Koppies East are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Carstens said that people shouldn’t be late when they attend the tours at Melville Koppies Central as the gates are locked at specific times. People can experience walking through the forest and hear anecdotes from experienced tour guides about the natural phenomena that they witness.

“We introduce them to the geology and archaeology of the Koppies, which is a rare sighting for most people,” she said.

On 3, 4, 11 and 18 October there will be a hike where a guide leader takes groups along the Melville Koppies Central with a member from CSS Tactical to protect residents. The security company is funded by the Melville Management Committee.

Carstens said there are a number of interesting animals to see on the reserve such as birds, snakes and tortoises. She also mentioned that people do not have to worry about animals endangering them on the reserve. “It is important to stay on the path. I believe the reserve belongs to the animals and the path to people,” she said.

The Melville Koppies Nature Reserve will have hikes and tours on Melville Koppies Central 1, 7, 8, 15 November and 5, 6, 13, 20, 27 December where residents and nature-lovers are welcome to come participate.

Details: Guide remembered Pupils learn at koppies