Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

Melville Koppies is a Nature Reserve and a Johannesburg City Heritage Site.

It is the last conserved remnant of Johannesburg's ridges as they were before the discovery of gold in 1886. Its geology goes back three billion years. Stone tools show that Early Stone Age man camped here as long as 500 000 years ago. There is a Late Stone Age living floor. Within the last 1 000 years Iron Age immigrants arrived, and remains of their kraal walls can be found on the northern slopes. In 1963 an iron-smelting furnace was excavated and can be seen today.

The vegetation of the Koppies is entirely indigenous and is a remarkable example of the richness of highveld grasses, flowers, and trees so close to a city centre. These ridges have looked like this for hundreds of years.

Coming up on Melville Koppies

Next Melville Koppies Central Open Day
Sunday 5 September 2010 15:00 sharp.
Park in Marks Park, Judith Road, Emmarentia.
Guided walks and group walks last 2 to 3 hours. Donations: R30 for adults, R10 for scholars. No need to book.

The Open Days on Melville Koppies Central are group walks. Guided walks are available if numbers permit. Walks are not strenuous, but the paths are rocky. They last for two to three hours. Bring a hat and something to drink.

Hike on MK West - dogs welcome.
Saturday 4 September 2010. Park in 3rd Ave Westdene. There is a car guard. 08:00 sharp. The hike lasts for up to 90 minutes. No need to book.

Bird Ringing and Bird Walk with Anthony Paton
Saturday 11 September 2010 from 08:00 on Melville Koppies Central. Park in Kafue Road, Emmarentia. Book with Wendy Carstens (011 482 4797) or email: fomk@mk.org.za

Melville Koppies has been a venue for bird ringers for many years. For technical information on bird-ringing click here: www.mk.org.za/mkringing.htm.

Geology walk with Professor Kim Hein of the department of Mining Geology a Wits. Saturday 18 September, 08:00. Park in Kafue Road Emmarentia. R50 donation. A must for anyone interested in the basics of the geology of the Witwatersrand. Book with Wendy Carstens (011 482 4797) or email: fomk@mk.org.za

Friday 24 September: Three Koppie Hike. 24 September is a Public Holiday - Heritage day. The Three Koppie hikes are intended for fit walkers. They last for three hours. This a wonderful chance to do some serious walking and to see the koppies beginning to burst into Spring. No need to book. Park in Marks Park, Judith Road. Emmarentia. Donation R20.

Click here for a calendar for 2010, maps, and directions...

Things you need to know...

If you plan to come to open days with a large group (more than 15) please let us know so that we have additional guides on duty. For a special guided tour on any other day, please call or email us.

Socialized dogs on leads are welcome on Melville Koppies West and East, but not allowed on Melville Koppies Central, a proclaimed Heritage Site.

Because of the sensitive nature of the environment we have no electricity, braai, or picnic facilities, no tea shop, and certainly no manicured lawns. There are taps and septic tank toilets on Melville Koppies Central.

Not permitted are: mountain bikes and other vehicles, radios, sound systems, generators, corporate functions, camping, or other activities unfriendly to the environment and the tranquility.

The hikes on Melville Koppies West on Saturdays are strenuous. You need to be reasonably fit, and they are not suitable for young children. A hat and something to drink are essential.

Unless otherwise stated all material on this site is available in terms of the GNU Free Documentation Licence
This site is not compatible with IE6 or lower.
Site created and maintained by Norman Baines

Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

Johannesburg, South Africa

Friends of Melville Koppies: Phone: +27 11 482 4797 Email: fomk@mk.org.za