Kloofendal Nature Reserve

Kloofendal Nature Reserve is a municipal nature reserve in Roodepoort, South Africa.[1] It is one of the first nature reserves in Johannesburg. It is also recognized as the place where gold was first mined in Johannesburg. The old gold mine can be visited by appointment. There are hiking trails and a small dam.

Malachite Sunbird, Nectarinia famosa, at Kloofendal Nature Reserve

Kloofendal Nature Reserve
TypeNature Reserve
Nearest cityRoodepoort, South Africa
Coordinates26°07′39.09″S 27°52′50.22″E
Area128ha
Founded1972

Small animals in the reserve

Many small mammals are found at Kloofendal, including:

Birds

Kloofendal is home to many species of birds and in particular:

Facilities
  • Bird hide
  • Restrooms
  • Hiking trails
  • Amphitheater
  • Picnic areas

History of the gold mine
Plaque at the gold mine in Kloofendal Nature Reserve

The Confidence Reef was discovered by the brothers Fred and Harry Struben on 18 September 1884. This led to an influx of prospectors to the Witwatersrand, culminating in the discovery of the Main gold reef in 1886. The first payable gold on the Rand was extracted by the Strubens on this site but the Confidence reef bore little gold and their mine was unprofitable. The mine was declared a National Monument on 29 July 1983.[3]

References
  1. "Kloofendal Nature Reserve". Johannesburg City Parks. 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  2. "Wildlife list". Places.co.za. 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  3. "The Struben Mine Shafts, Kloofendal, Roodepoort". South African History Online. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
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