Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is an excellent highveld reserve approximately 50 km south of Johannesburg and 25 km west of the town of Heidelburg. It has a number of species that are otherwise difficult to see in the Johannesburg area.

Specials
The specials at Suikerbosrand are Secretarybird, Grey-winged Francolin, Red-winged Francolin, Orange River Francolin, White-bellied Korhaan,  Eastern Long-billed Lark, Zitting Cisticola, Desert Cisticola, Cloud Cisticola, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Long-billed Pipit, Striped Pipit, Sentinel Rock-Thrush, Cape Rock-Thrush, Yellow Canary and Black-throated Canary. African Red-eyed Bulbul and Kalahari Scrub-Robin also occur.

Habitats
The reserve covers an area of 13,337 hectares and the major habitat is grassland. There are two main types of grassland within the reserve, montane (above 1800 m) and a non-montane savanna type. Broadleaved woodland is present in the valleys, Acacia savanna and Protea veld (which gives the reserve its name) make up the rest of the reserve.

Facilities
There is a 60 km circular drive through the reserve that encompasses all the major habitats. There is a very pleasant picnic spot roughly half way round the drive that has braai facilities and toilets. There are a number of different hiking trails and overnight accommodation (booking recommended).

Birding
A bird list, map and information guide can be obtained from the main administration centre close to the start of the circular drive.

1. Just before the main entrance gate is reached there are a couple of small pools on the left that are regularly used by Great Crested Grebe and White-backed Duck. Barn Swallow are very common at this spot in the summer and are frequently accompanied by Sand Martin - 83 of the latter were counted on the telephone wires here in January 1998.

2. The first part of the circular drive takes you up to the highest part of the reserve through montane grassland. Eastern Long-billed Lark, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Mountain Wheatear and Grey-winged Francolin are common. Yellow Bishop also occur. Sentinel Rock-Thrush may be found in winter.

3. As the drive descends, so the habitat slowly changes. Keep an eye open for Long-billed Pipit and Striped Pipit.

4. The lower grasslands have many Zitting Cisticola, Desert Cisticola, Cloud Cisticola, Rufous-naped Lark and Ant-eating Chat are common. Capped Wheatear may also be seen. This area often holds Secretarybird and Banded Martin can be seen hawking over the grassland.

6. The picnic spot is set in acacia savanna and African Red-eyed Bulbul are common. In addition, Cape Rock-Thrush, Mocking Cliff-Chat and Bokmakierie are all normally present and are joined by Fairy Flycatcher in the winter months. Another bird that is at the eastern extremity of its range in the reserve is Kalahari Scrub-Robin and they can also be found in the Acacia savanna areas.

7. Beyond the picnic spot the Red-throated Wryneck and Red-headed Finch may be seen, as well as Red-backed Shrike in summer.

8. The drive gradually climbs back up to montane grassland again to give you an opportunity to catch up on any birds you might have missed in the early part of the drive.

9. You are likely to come across canaries in any part of the reserve and Brimstone Canary, Cape Canary, Yellow Canary, Yellow-fronted Canary, Streaky-headed Seedeater and Black-throated Canary all occur. Although Red-winged Francolin, Orange River Francolin and White-bellied Korhaan occur, they are not easy to see.

10. The common raptors are Secretarybird, Black-shouldered Kite, Verreauxs' Eagle, Jackal Buzzard and Rock Kestrel. Both Steppe Buzzard and Amur Falcon are regular in the summer months.

General
A large number of mammals also inhabit the grasslands, including Black Wildebeest. Both Leopard and Cheetah are also present, but are rarely seen.

Access to the reserve is possible daily from 07h00 to 15h30 (this is the latest that admittance to the reserve is allowed). A small entrance fee is payable at the main entrance gate and a further fee to take the circular drive. Contact tel +27 11 904 3930.

Accommodation: Aventura Heidelbergkloof tel 016-3412413.

The reserve may be reached from Johannesburg by travelling south on the N3 highway. Take the R550 offramp and turn right (there is a signpost). After 6 km turn left (again signposted) and the entrance to the reserve is at the end of this road after a further 2 km.

Paul Wood 1998.
Guy Gibbon 2002.