Marievale Bird Sanctuary
Facts and practical information
Marievale Bird Sanctuary is a protected area in Gauteng, South Africa. It is about 10 km2 in size, and situated on the East Rand on the Blesbokspruit. The Blesbokspruit is a major perennial river in Gauteng which is flanked by extensive floodplains on either side. No exact numbers are quoted, but a visitor's information pamphlet produced by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa and available at the sanctuary claims that almost 300 bird species frequent the wetland. In addition, blesbok, Cape clawless otter, three species of mongoose, reedbuck and Cape hare have also been observed in the sanctuary. Access to the reserve is free and there are four bird hides and a public picnic site in the reserve. ()
Gauteng
Best Ways to Experience the Park
Wildlife
AnimalsSee what popular animal species you can meet in this location.
African (Cape) Clawless Otter
The African clawless otter, also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater otter species. These captivating creatures inhabit savannah and lowland forest areas near permanent water sources throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa...
Mammals
Common moorhen
The common moorhen, often referred to as the waterhen or swamp chicken, is an intriguing bird belonging to the rail family, widely distributed across various parts of the Old World. These birds thrive in well-vegetated marshes, ponds, and wetlands, but they are absent...
Birds
Cape hare
The Cape hare, also known as the desert hare, is a remarkable species native to Africa, Arabia, and parts of India. These hares are easily identified by their powerful legs, which make them excellent leapers and swift runners.
Mammals
Southern reedbuck
The southern reedbuck, also known as the rietbok or common reedbuck, is a diurnal antelope native to southern Africa. First described in 1785 by Dutch physician and naturalist Pieter Boddaert, it belongs to the genus Redunca in the family Bovidae.
Mammals
Blesbok
The blesbok, or blesbuck, is a distinctive antelope native to South Africa and Eswatini. Its striking white face and forehead make it easily recognizable. Interestingly, the blesbok and bontebok are subspecies of the same species and are capable of interbreeding.
Mammals
Gauteng