Fodor's Expert Review Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

A 50-hectare (123-acres) nature reserve and heritage site on the southern side of the Johannesburg Botanical Garden, Melville Koppies preserves lands as they were before the 1886 gold discovery. The central section of the reserve is opened on Sunday mornings from 8 until 11:30 am, with safe parking at the adjacent Marks Park Sports Club and security guards stationed at various points. Visitors can undertake the 5 km (3 mile) hiking trail or the 3 km (1.8 mile) heritage trail that includes information stops that examine the archaeology, history, geology, fauna, and biodiverse highveld flora of the area. The site includes a 500-year-old Iron Age furnace.  Don't visit the east and west sections of Melville Koppies Nature Reserve alone, as it isn't safe.