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Following the popularity of this event we have decided to do it again!
The Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve consists of approximately 13 337 ha of kloofs, ridges and plains. The reserve supports a large variety of plant and animal species. Vegetation types range from open grassland on hillsides and plains to wooded gorges and acacia woodland, marshland and fynbos (heath). The reserve was named after the sugarbush (suikerbos), which is spread throughout the reserve. The fast disappearing bankenveld grassland also occurs here, making this one of the Highveld's most valuable reserves. Mammal species include mountain reedbuck, common duiker and steenbok, grey duiker, baboon, oribi, eland, blesbok, springbok, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, kudu and zebra. Predators roaming this vast sanctuary are cheetah, brown hyena and other smaller species. Over 200 bird species can be observed here.
There is a pleasant 60 km circular route (all tarred roads) with a picnic spot halfway along the route. We plan to enjoy a leisurely drive to the picnic spot where we will have lunch. (Please bring your own picnic, as well as chairs, blankets etc)
For inspiration, have a look at the photographs of our last visit to Suikerbosrand:
http://www.classicrollssa.co.za/Suikerbosrand2006.html
Times and meeting arrangements:
In order to accommodate members from different parts of town there will be two meeting points. We will start in the Northern suburbs of Johannesburg, and then meet again on the Southern side of town just before Suikerbosrand.
08h00 for 08h30 departure:
Meet at the garage stop on the N1 where it intersects with Beyers Naude Dr. Note, there are garages on both sides of the road. We will be leaving in a Southerly direction, so we must meet at the garage on the Fairlands side of the highway, and not on the Randpark Ridge side. This is important, because once at the garage you cannot exit back onto Beyers Naude, only onto the highway.
We will leave there at 08h30 and drive in a Southerly direction around Johannesburg, onto the N12, and then onto the N3 towards Heidelberg.
Just before the R550 turnoff to Suikerbosrand there is a Total garage on the N3. This will be our second meeting place, and we hope to arrive there in time for a 9h30 departure for Suikerbosrand.
Please feel free to phone me at any time should you want to confirm these arrangements or need directions. You can also meet up with us at anytime along our journey if you wish. If you could let us know if you wish to attend - as it is a "bring-your own" trip there are no firm arrangements required, but it would be great if we know who to expect.
Hope to see you on 11 October!
KC Saayman
083 645 1604
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