On the outskirts of Pretoria, Rietvlei Nature Reserve offers a peaceful escape to nature and great game viewing less than a 20-minute drive from the city center. The dam was built during the Great Depression, and now constitutes 15% of Pretoria's water supply as well as supporting a range of highveld game that was reintroduced to the area. Eland, red hartebeest, buffalo, blesbok, waterbuck, zebra, black wildebeest, hippo, and even cheetah are among the animals found here, and lucky visitors may even spot the resident white rhinos. Birders should keep a lookout for the comical secretary birds, as well as the blue crane, South Africa's national bird, and a breeding pair of fish eagles.

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