Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

School enrichment tours at Melville Koppies

These tours cover the life, social and natural sciences.

Topics/combinations which can be covered during a visit include:

• Human evolution (for senior pupils)
• Stone Age man at Melville Koppies
• Iron Age man at Melville Koppies
• The Geldenhuys family, one-time owners of Melville Koppies, and their connection with Modern History relating to the early years of Johannesburg, the Anglo Boer War and gold.
• Geology of Melville Koppies
• Conservation and alien vegetation control
• Tourism potential of an urban nature reserve in Johannesburg
• Indigenous flora of the Highveld including
  • Trees
  • Grasses
  • Flowers

Visits start with a presentation at the lecture hut.

The approach depends on the age of the group and the teachers' requirements. We have many appropriate artefacts, including skulls, to illustrate the presentation. This is followed by a walk through the beautiful Koppies, possibly down to the spruit. The distance depends on the age of the group.

We cater for pre-primary groups (up to a maximum of 30) to grade 12 (ideally one class of up to 35 pupils).

Cost is R20 per pupil. Teachers and parents are free.

Duration: two to three hours.

Equipment: Good walking shoes, hat, sun block, water, snacks.

Parking: Kafue Rd, Emmarentia.

Booking: Wendy 011 482 4797

We have built up a set of worksheets which may be freely downloaded. You will find them here.