The Bishop Bird Park Nature Trail

Aug 22, 20224 min read

Next on our list, we've got the Bishop Bird Park Nature Trail. This Nature walk is a hidden gem in the heart of residential Centurion. This trail is known for its bird watching, as per the name, and its a great place to take your puppies out on a walk.

This trail was an ideal walk for me as its only about a 15 minute drive from my Campus and their open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It was really easy to find and the area seems to be quite safe.

Let's look at some things you might want to know before your visit:

Entry fees

Good news! Entry fees to this tranquil park is absolutely free. There is a small, shaded parking lot, guarded by security that are on the premises the entire time, so you don't have to worry about leaving your car in a shady area.

Pets

You can bring Snoopy along as this trail does allow dogs. Naturally, you will need to keep your dog on his leash, seeing as there will be other dogs as well. There are a few open fields where you can sit down and play with them, just be sure to keep an eye out for other hikers. Be sure to pack some water for your four-legged friend and make sure to clean up after them.

Bathrooms

There is a small bathroom right next to the starting gate of the trail. Make sure that you go before the hike, and pack some tissues just incase there aren't any in the bathroom.

Park restrictions

There are some park restrictions outlined on the entrance board, that hikers should take care to follow. Don't pick any flowers or plants as it damages the plants and the flower won't last long after it's picked anyway. The building of bonfires are strictly prohibited, especially during the dry seasons as a fire could spread easily. Try to keep the noise down and leave the boombox in the car. If you want to listen to music, you can use earphones. Guns and alcohol are strictly prohibited.

My dad and I visited this trail in the beginning of August, which is definitely not the right time to visit Bishop Bird Park if you want to see green grass and blossoming flowers. I have no doubt that this trail can be extraordinarily beautiful during spring or summer and I will definitely try to visit it again in January or February.

As soon as you step through the gate, the hike begins. The most notable thing about this hike, is that it doesn't have any trail markings whatsoever. There is a park map next to the gate that you can use as a guide, but as soon as you get on the trail, you're on your own. There are multiple trails that you can follow and most of them joins another at some point or another.

My dad and I decided to walk the perimeter first and then walk the trails that weave through the middle of the park. Though there are no markings, the dirt trail is quite clear and easy to follow. The trail is relatively flat.

Around the park, there are information boards that inform hikers about the flora and fauna. These information stations serve to inform hikers, as well as warn them. Dangerous snakes, like the rinkhals, and plants, like camelthorn trees, are things hikers should beware of. It might be a good idea to visit Bishop Bird Park's website before your hike.

The abundance of dogs on the trail gives it a joyful and happy vibe and the owners are almost as happy to see you as their dogs are. It gives you the opportunity to chat and mingle with your fellow hikers and who knows, maybe you'll get yourself some more hiking buddies in the long run.

Something this trail is especially known for, is the Bird deck, that allows hikers and park visitors to see the amazing bird species nesting in the park. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the deck on our visit, as it hidden away, but on my next visit, I'll be sure to find it so I can get the full park experience.

In total, we walked 3 kilometers, which is in no way an improvement on our distance, but we managed to hike it in around 45 minutes. We were lucky enough to encounter some blesbuck right before we left (video below) and it was totally worth it. Although this is a hiking trail, I'd also recommend it to joggers or dogwalkers. It's also a great trail for beginners.

Since I'd like to revisit this trail again in the new year, I'm not going to rate it on the Boots Hike-ability Scale just yet. I'd rather rate this trail when it's in bloom.

Take a look at our photo's of the trail: