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.
This highly historic site, which has a geology that goes back three billion years, is an entirely indigenous area where the early years of humankind are documented in the remnants of everyday items such as stone tools, dating back at least 500 000 years ago.
There is a Late Stone Age living floor/area where visitors are able to view the space and get a taste of what it was like to live as a caveman. Other sites include the remaining kraal walls left by Iron Age immigrants as well as an iron-smelting furnace excavated in 1963.
The vegetation of the Koppies is totally indigenous to the region and is a remarkable example of the richness of highveld grasses, flowers, and trees so close the the city centre. There are three areas that accompany this nature reserve. They are known as Melville Koppies Central, East and West. Melville Koppies Central is always locked and has controlled access only for people on organised tours and hikes. Dogs are not allowed due to the fact that it is a proclaimed Heritage Site. East and West are open daily for walks and socialised dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on a leash.
Venue: Melville Koppies, Waterval 211-Iq, Randburg, Johannesburg
Time: 8.30am to 3pm
Cost: Children R40 | Adults R80
Tel: 011 482 4797
Email: wendavid@mweb.co.za
Website: www.mk.org.za
Facebook: Melville Koppies
Twitter: @MelvilleKoppies
