The trails at Suikerbosrand cover a network 66 km, and vary from one to six days.

Bokmakierie Trail is 10 km or 7 km, taking between 5 and 7 hours.

Permits should be obtained well in advance for the overnight trail. Permits for the day walks are available at the visitor's centre. The informative brochure, with a map obtained at the reserve office, is extremely useful.

Remember to take a hat as there is not much shade, and a full water bottle as there is no permanent water along the route. The terrain is hilly and hikers need to be reasonably fit.

There are 6 overnight huts, each with outdoor cooking area, gas lamps, water, firewood, bunks for 10 hikers. There is a fully equipped cottage at the main camp for groups. The visitors centre has some good displays connected to Suikerbosrand and at stated times there are lectures and films. A well laid out picnic area is available for the use of day visitors and a visit to the Diepkloof farm museum is worthwhile.

The main attractions include a natural area amidst the developed Vaal Triangle, with reintroduced wildlife, 200 species of birds, archaeological relics and ruins and diverse topography.

The Directorate: Nature Conservation of the Gauteng Provincial Government centres its activities in the Johannesburg – East Rand, Vaal triangle and Pretoria areas.

The Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve covers a surface area of 11 583 ha and is named after the Transvaal Sugarbush Protea caffra.

A dominant feature of the reserve is the Suikerbosrand mountain range. The altitude varies from 1 545 to 1917 m’s above sea level.

The following larger mammal species occur on the reserve.

Day trails:
Bokmakiere, which varies between 10km and 17km.

Tourist Route:
The tourist route is a 60-km tarred road that covers a large section of the reserve. Holhoek picnic site is situated halfway along the route, at which there are braai facilities, running water and toilets.

Visitor services:
All organised groups, be they school groups, youth groups, youth clubs or societies are welcome to inquire about programs that are presented.

- Bookings may be done 10 months in advance.

Museum
Guided tours are available on request.

Solar panel for lights, showers with warm water, 10 sponge mattresses, enviro-loo toilet and Braai facilities

Utensils: Kettles, bucket, 2 pots, an axe

- 11 km tarred road, with some technical skill and stamina required.

8km off road, a relatively easy off road trail for beginners.

Acknowledgement: Gauteng Provincial Government
Phone 011 904 3930/3/7 or

Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Private Bag H616, Heidelberg 2400.