Bisley Nature Reserve Hike
BIZLEY NATURE RESERVE (BNR) HIKE
Team leader and hike report: Luis Esteves
On Sunday 6 August, seven of us set out from the BNR picnic/braai area for a 12km African “safari”. It wasn’t long before we came across some of the local friendly inhabitants – two giraffes and a herd of blue wildebeest. After the initial level stretch the path climbed up to the highest point in the reserve. From there we had an uninterrupted view of the whole reserve and all the way to World’s View and Sweetwaters.
After a short drinks-break we continued adjacent to the UKZN agricultural research station and on to the forested area at the southernmost edge of the reserve. Coming back into the heartland of the reserve we found ourselves in an expanse of open grassland in which a large herd of wildebeest and a number of zebras were peacefully grazing.
After a drinks-and-eats-break we continued along the path through the thick African bush down to the valley running the whole length of the reserve. After crossing a stream, we climbed up to the eastern end of the reserve and along the level path running next to the now abandoned Pietermaritzburg to Richmond railway line. Along this path, we caught a brief glimpse of four skittish Nyala as they hurriedly bounded in front of us and into the thick bush.
It was now mid-day and we were ready for some shade, coolness and lunch, so we made our way to the bird-hide set next to a pleasant lake, a short distance from our end point. To our delight we had the opportunity to have a close up “greet and chat” with a number of giraffes (including a youngster) next to the path a short distance from our lunch spot.
After a pleasant lunch stop at the bird hide, we made our way to our hike end point – the picnic/braai area.
Bizley Nature Reserve provides an easily accessible African wildlife experience right on our doorstep.
Hopefully it will become a regular item on the MHC hiking calendar.
