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The Marievale Bird
Sanctuary is situated in the southern half of the
Blesbokspruit RAMSAR site, an area that is also a
designated Important Bird Area (IBA SA021) in South
Africa.
The sanctuary is about 10 km2 in size and comprises
numerous, large, shallow waterbodies dominated by tall,
at times dense stands of emergent vegetation consisting
mainly of Phragmites, Typha and Juncus reeds.
Small patches of grassland are found on the eastern
margin of the sanctuary.
The sanctuary hosts the largest variety of bird species
in the Gauteng Province and, to date, over 280 species
of birds and mammals have been recorded to cohabit the
sanctuary.
A new conference centre and two overnight chalets have
been developed and the sanctuary boasts four bird
watching hides. |
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ROUTE MAP TO MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY
REFERENCE POINTS
A = Turn off the R42 Road to Marievale Bird Sanctuary
A co-ordinates: 26 23 03.48S, 28 30 37.06 E
B = Parking area at Administrative Centre and Challets
B co-ordinates: 26 22 47.25 S, 28 30 27.70 E
C = Picnic Area
From Johannesburg via N17: Exit N17 in Springs area at Wit
Road, turn south to Nigel on M63, this road joins R550 at
Nigel, take R42 out of Nigel, immediately after crossing over
the Blesbokspruit turn left off the R42 into the Marievale
Bird Sanctuary at Point A.
A Security Check point, the
Administration Centre, Conference Facility and Challets are at
Point B. The Picnic Area at Point C is accessed by travelling
past Point B along a gravel track northward for a distance of
approximately 2.5 km, from here the Picnic area can be seen in
a grove of trees.
Alternative from Johannesburg: Continue on the N17 after the
Wit road exit and exit at Point D, Co-ordinates 26 19 10.63 S
28 35 26.66 E, turn right onto R42 and proceed to Point A, see
above. |
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Marievale Bird Sanctuary
