Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary

The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary covers approximately 11.8 hectares of wetland habitat featuring two streams, reed beds, and open water basins that support diverse waterfowl, herons, and kingfisher species throughout the year.

Named after ornithologist J Austin Roberts who was born in Pretoria in 1883, the sanctuary was officially declared a nature reserve on February 26, 1985, and was previously a breeding site for pink-backed pelicans during the 1970s.

The sanctuary serves as an important educational center offering guided walks, exhibition halls, and community programs that promote bird conservation awareness and environmental education for schools, families, and nature enthusiasts in the Pretoria area.

Open daily from 07:00 to 18:00 during summer months and 07:00 to 17:00 in winter, the sanctuary offers free access to bird hides and guided walks for groups up to 12 people at R55 per person with advance reservations required.

The sanctuary maintains historical significance as one of the few urban wetlands in Pretoria where thousands of egrets and herons once gathered to roost in the evenings, drawing large crowds of observers during peak seasons.