aha Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre
Gauteng
Price on request
33 km away
Where to stay near Marievale Bird Sanctuary
Important wetland bird area
Gauteng, South Africa
Malaria-free
About Marievale Bird Sanctuary
Marievale is a wetland reserve on the Blesbokspruit near Nigel, east of Johannesburg, and the most productive birding site in Gauteng: more than 280 species recorded, with hides on the reedbeds and pans for flamingos, crakes, herons, ducks and the migrant waders that arrive in summer. It is a Ramsar site and part of the Blesbokspruit wetland system. There is no accommodation inside and no game beyond small antelope; it is a half-day birding trip from the city, best early in the morning, and it combines with Suikerbosrand and the East Rand's other wetlands.
Things to do: Nature appreciation · Photography
Where you can stay: Camping · Chalets · Nearby B&Bs
Wildlife near Marievale Bird Sanctuary
What people record most across Gauteng. Past sightings, never a guarantee.
From iNaturalist records across Gauteng, not confirmed sightings inside this reserve.
Stay in & near Marievale Bird Sanctuary
Inside-park stays and nearby lodges, sorted by distance.
No stays are linked to Marievale Bird Sanctuary yet. These are the closest ones we have, by straight-line distance from the park, so check the drive before you book.
Sanctuary Mandela
Houghton Estate, Johannesburg
Grassland biome · Jacaranda
Can support Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital
From R 4,850 a night
49 km away
Stirling Legacy House
Johannesburg
Grassland biome · Jacaranda
Can support Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital
From R 1,600 a night
50 km away
Guest House at 118
Sandton, Johannesburg
Grassland biome · Jacaranda
Can support Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital
From R 784 a night
52 km away
The Parkwood Boutique Hotel
Parkwood, Johannesburg
Grassland biome · Jacaranda
Can support Friends of Zoo Lake and more
From R 2,595 a night
52 km away
Sunny Apartment in Forest Town
Forest Town, Johannesburg
Savanna biome · Jacaranda
Can support Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital
From R 900 a night
52 km away
When to visit Marievale Bird Sanctuary
Most of the rain at Marievale Bird Sanctuary falls from October to March, peaking in December at about 136 mm. The dry season runs from May to September, with little or no rain. January is the hottest month, with average highs of about 26°C, and June the coolest, with average lows of about 4°C.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Average high (°C) | Average low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 128 | 26 | 16 |
| February | 96 | 26 | 16 |
| March | 74 | 25 | 14 |
| April | 55 | 23 | 11 |
| May | 15 | 21 | 7 |
| June | 6 | 19 | 4 |
| July | 3 | 19 | 4 |
| August | 8 | 22 | 7 |
| September | 17 | 26 | 11 |
| October | 74 | 26 | 13 |
| November | 96 | 26 | 14 |
| December | 136 | 26 | 15 |
Averages for 2005 to 2024 at the park's centre point, about 1561 m above sea level. Weather data from Open-Meteo.com (opens in a new tab) (ERA5), CC BY 4.0.
Getting there
26.3565° S, 28.5113° E800 km from Cape TownOpen in Maps (opens in a new tab)
Why book here
Your stay helps keep Marievale Bird Sanctuary wild
Wild places survive when the communities around them earn more from protecting wildlife than from anything that would replace it. Every stay you book through Spekboom carries a conservation contribution built into the price, never added on top, so choosing where you sleep becomes a way to fund the people and projects keeping this landscape intact.
- Built into every booking
- A conservation share
- Where it goes
- Local causes & communities
Marievale Bird Sanctuary: your questions
Where is Marievale Bird Sanctuary?
Marievale Bird Sanctuary is in Gauteng, South Africa.
Is Marievale Bird Sanctuary malaria-free?
Yes. Marievale Bird Sanctuary is in an area recorded as malaria-free, which is why it is a common choice for families with young children and for a first safari. Malaria risk can shift with the season and the year, so confirm current advice with a travel clinic before you go.
What wildlife can you see near Marievale Bird Sanctuary?
In Gauteng, commonly recorded species include animals such as Southern African Hedgehog, Black Wildebeest, Blesbok, Serval and birds including Eurasian Bittern, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, based on iNaturalist occurrence data. These reflect the wider province, not confirmed sightings inside the reserve.
When is the rainy season at Marievale Bird Sanctuary?
Most of the rain at Marievale Bird Sanctuary falls from October to March, peaking in December at about 136 mm. The dry season runs from May to September, with little or no rain. January is the hottest month, with average highs of about 26°C, and June the coolest, with average lows of about 4°C. Averages for 2005 to 2024 at the park's centre point, about 1561 m above sea level.
When is the best time to visit Marievale Bird Sanctuary?
The best time to visit Marievale Bird Sanctuary is Mar-May, Aug-Oct.
What is there to do at Marievale Bird Sanctuary?
Popular activities at Marievale Bird Sanctuary include nature appreciation, photography.
Parks near Marievale Bird Sanctuary
The closest parks and reserves. Distances run centre to centre, as the crow flies.
Part of
Other parks and reserves that share something with Marievale Bird Sanctuary.
Malaria-free parks and game reservesNational parks and reserves in South AfricaNature reserves and parks in GautengAll protected areas
