What a great bird watching sanctuary, 240 bird species. A must for bird lovers. Enjoy at least four hours of bird watching that is if you rush it. The picnic area is great. The hides are situated all over, so to enable viewing of different birds at different hides. The entrance fee is very cheap at R37 per person.

Enjoyable trip to Marievale. Very clean and tidy. Water levels are generally lower in winter. More birds in summer with the increase in water levels and insects. The birds hides are clean, and provide an opportunity to sit and watch/take photos of birds.

Here's the deal: over 280 bird species now identified in this lovely wetland park (of international importance, if I can add from the official description). There are several hides to watch the various species from - don't miss the map at the entrance to get your coordinates right. Take to the 'small bridge' - there's always a gang of birds hanging out there. You're allowed to walk the reserve - but it's quite big to visit the key sight areas on foot (better to drive). Probably best to visit outside winter for more spectacular sightings. There's a neat picnic area; it's not a place to rush through (all birders know this:). As of May 2021, R30 a person and R20 per car.

Lovely and peaceful. Watch out for the mud...we met up with two people who got stuck in the mud...definitely need a 4x4. There is a blue cute tractor that comes to help; do expect a wait though. Pack a lunch people ...lovely picnic spots. The toilet facilities are clean. Entrance fee reasonable. Their is Chalets to stay over.

I enjoy visiting this spot not only for the variety of birds but the beautiful backdrops to photograph them. The entrance is free, it is clean and has places to have a meal. Convenient bird watching spots and an escape from busy life. Wonderful place to visit on a public holiday or on a Sunday.

Despite visiting in winter, there was lots to see. We saw several rare and interesting species of bird, many of which were new to us. The park is spotless and quiet, and a wonderful place to spend a few hours.

Fantastic spot and well maintained by volunteers.

FYI The entrance fees are: R37 per adult R25 per car As at 23 December 2023. A little birding paradise. The road through the reeds is a birding heaven! I highly recommend getting there as it opens at 6 for the best birding. Update: I didn't realise there were so many hides as well. Beautiful, well kept hides dotted all over. The picnic area is quite nice - next to the Flamingo hide. There is a toilet available at the picnic spot.

One of the best birding spots in the wider Gauteng, will maintained roads (can get a bit muddy after the rains). Good hides with lots of photographic opportunities

They really make an effort to up keep the place well. Security was so friendly, even let us in a little early.

What a gem. Beautiful place, loads of birds. Good roads too. Hide outs are super. We stayed for 4 hours and will be back! Depending the weather maybe, but we did not have a 4*4 and saw other saloon cars. December. We didn't find it rundown, all in perfect condition.

Lots of everything: birds,water,reeds, hideout huts. Amazing so close to ugly industrial buildings!

Lovely area for bird watching. Nice for a day out to have a picnic or a braai with friends or family and visit the Hides to watch the variety of bird species that live there. Entrance is free, so please use the facility with respect. Leave only footprints and take only pictures. The "Friends of Marievale" really put a lot of effort in to maintain the place with the sponsorships and funding they receive from donors. Keep up the good work!

Lovely place

What a beautiful gem in the middle of nowhere. I guess it will be even more beautiful during the rain season when everything in green. Extremely friendly staff, and sooooo clean, I can really recommend the picnic area for a braai or a lunch in nature. We'll done guys, I will return in the summer...

Best birding spot due to variety of birds. Very safe and quiet.

Just south of Jo-berg a great place to bird and reconnect with nature.

A little low on water due to the mines not pumping drainage water for some reason. There are still a very good variety of birds. We saw at least 60 Avoset, a similar number of Little Stint, African Snipe, Flamingo, Greenshank, Plovers, Lapwings, Stonechat, Thicknees, Spurwing geese, Egyptian geese, Coots, Moore hen and many more. Toilets were open and clean. Definately still worth a visit.

I'm certainly an amateur birder, but even I see 45+ species of birds in the morning that we were there. All the hides, facilities and ablutions are well maintained. Definitely worth a visit.

45 birds ticketed off , not a single piece of litter , all hides and ablution facilities perfectly maintained, staff friendly , R99 for two of us to enter (includes small fee for car) , literally a birders paradise , only way it could be improved would be to add a coffee shop ..

I absolutely adore Marievale Bird Sanctuary. As we are from Limpopo I always have about an hour to spend and it never disappoints me. My husband always have to drag me away as I always see another bird.. A Birders Paradise. I would love to spend a whole day

Compulsory visit for any bird watcher. Exceeded expectations

Excellent. The staff were friendly, we felt safe even in remote parts of the park, and saw about 30 species in 90 minutes we were there.

Glad we found this hidden gem of a place ! Beautiful, lots of birds, well cared for, we'll definitely be back to take more pictures !

Spent a good day of relaxing here today. A lot of birds to see. Very need roads, the picnic area is nice and clean, just a bit unsure of how the toilets work. A little more signage will be helpful along the route. Great work guys.

Nice and tranquil. Unfortunately it's a bit run down but has huge potential. Bird sightseeing is beautiful and hides nice and clean.

A humongous number of aquatic bird species. The water levels a bit high right now so high clearance vehicles recommended. Good value for money!

We slept over in one of the units. One is close to the water, you watch the birds from your deck. Comfy beds and even a fire place. It's self catering, so you have the facilities you need to prepare food. Can recommend it. Allot of hides where you can stop and a picnic place with rest rooms.

Wonder wetland to take in the local water fowl, waders with the occasional snipe crake and harrier. Have a picnic, a far looking lense and camera to suit and snap up the kaliedescopic kingfishers, circumverent herons and skittish swamp warblers.

Nice place to take a drive and sit in the different hides. Birds are pretty active si will get a few sightings

Quiet and peaceful. Good views on waterbirds. Birdhides well taken care of. Facilities good and clean. Picnic sites neat.

I love Marievale! But then I love birdwatching. A great outing in Gauteng if you are that way inclined, and less than an hour from Jhb. The sanctuary has a network of roads that traverse the vleis, giving good access to the birds. This is such an important conservation site for wetland birds and you are guaranteed to see lots of them. It's well-recognised within birding circles. There is also security on the reserve, which is always a good thing. And a picnic site which is great for lunch. And, bonus, entrance is free :-)

Great day trip for bird lovers. Nice picnic area to relax also has braais available.

Lovely sanctuary, lots of birds to see. Hides are clean and well looked after, picnic site is well maintained and very clean. Roads are well looked after. Great work guys.

Gate personnel friendly. Gravel roads are in a reasonable condition, however, good vehicle clearance helps. Hides and toilets are clean and well presented with the exception of the Shelduck hide which no longer has a roof, seating or shelving. Bird viewing was disappointing, but to be fair, water levels were high following heavy rains.

Spelt Marievale. Awesome birding spot. 70+ bird species in 2.5 hours

Excellent birding spot, secure and well maintained.

A hidden gem for birdwatchers. Quiet, two nice picnic spots with rudimentary toilet facilities, perfect to spot water birds and the odd raptor. We have seen the African Rail, African Snipe, Flamingo and even the illusive otters and water mongoose. There is self-catering accommodation but no restaurant. A lovely spot for the keen bird photographer. We spent many happy hours there when we lived in Secunda (80km away). The roads are passable for ordinary sedans.

Apparently Marievale Bird Sanctuary is still closed, although the website says they are open. Pity they can't update their website and provide correct information.

It is always nice to be out in nature where you feel safe and can enjoy the enviroment, especially with the bonus of viewing birds and taking photos

What a wonderful experience. Reserve and facilities well managed. Wonderful variety of birds

A hidden gem close to Johannesburg. A must visit if you are a bird watcher or a bird enthusiast. Heard that the best time to go there is in August. But if you are new to bird watching, even the winter months can surprise you.

It's a pity that they cant update their website as it shows that they are open, we drove an hour to get there only to be told that they were closed.

Really good for the local birder... Almost every hide has a restroom. No shop so remember to pick your own food

Quite time, fresh air, in touch with nature. This is the place. This nature preserve is owned/managed and protected by the Gauteng Provincial Government.

Good place to see birds.Inside roads need to maintain.

Beautiful drive through with bird sight seeing

Lovely sanctuary with a massive variety of birds. The roads can be quite rough so be sure to take a high clearance vehicle.

Great waterbird sightings.

Lovely variety of birds

Great birding experience.

Awesome place to take the family and relax in nature. Decent braai area and great hides to view birds and other local wildlife.

Birding good.

Awesome spot. Great birds, nice getaway for the day.

A hidden jewel!!prolific bird life , numerous hides and wonderful sightings.

Always enjoyable.

Love it

Awesome place! Quiet and peaceful! Met with beautiful people with hearts full of love for Marievale Bird Sanctuary!

Love doing bird photography there!

Lots of different birds to see

Can look at the birds while having a braai

Most beauitiful warerbirds to see. Lovely place to visit.

Nice relaxing outing with the family

Popped in today and immediately realised that it is the wrong time of year. Will definitely be back during spring

Lovely area to spend time. An absolute abunance of birds. Nice viewing hides and picnic spot.8

Beautiful place. Bird hides and bathrooms is very neat. Definitely a safe place. Very good place for bird watching. 🐦 We enjoy it very much.