Over the weekend I spent some time on the Grysbok Trail in the NMMU Private Nature Reserve doing the series of Geocaches that’s been placed there recently. I wonder how many people actually know of the trail.
The NMMU campus was declared a Private Nature Reserve in 1983 and covers 830 ha. The reserve is made up mainly of St Francis Dune Thicket vegetation which is characterised by clumps of thicket within Dune Fynbos. This fynbos vegetation is highly threatened because of agricultural clearing and coastal development so the NMMU Nature Reserve makes a significant contribution towards the conservation thereof. The Grysbok Trail was established in 1995 as an environmental education and recreation resource for the University and the broader community. There are two trail options that meanders through the reserve giving visitors the opportunity to observe the exciting fauna and flora of the area. Both the 3,2 km and the 2,5 km loops are fairly flat terrain and very easy to do. Private visitors are welcome but for safety purposes you need to sign the Visitors’ Book at the fence stile at the start of the trail. Trained guides are available to lead visitors on the trail but need to be booked in advance. One of the things I really enjoy is spotting springbuck and zebra along the way. If you keep your eyes open you also see a lot of different birds, insects and flowers as well.
I remember when we drove by here. Wish we'd had more time to stop.